Friday, August 19, 2022

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $36 Million Rehabilitation of Affordable Housing Development in Westchester County

 Kingsley House

Renovations at Kingsley House in White Plains Will Promote Energy Efficiency, Improve Safety and Enhance Quality of Life for 163 Senior Households

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of a $36 million rehabilitation of Kingsley House, an affordable housing development for seniors in the City of White Plains. The renovations at the Mitchell-Lama complex upgraded apartment amenities and will improve the building's safety, promote energy efficiency, and enhance the quality of life for 163 senior households.

"Our investment in Kingsley House ensures that seniors on a fixed income can remain comfortably housed in White Plains," Governor Hochul said. "As rising costs and inflation continue to drive a nationwide affordability crisis, my administration is committed to preserving affordable housing in communities like Westchester County to ensure that all New Yorkers have a safe, stable place to call home."

The renovation of Kingsley House complements Governor Hochul's plan to make housing across New York State more affordable, equitable, and stable. In the FY 2023 State Budget, the Governor introduced and successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. Today's announcement builds on the Governor's efforts to make housing more affordable for New York's seniors. Earlier this month, the Governor signed a package of legislation expanding tax relief for homeowners, particularly those 60 and over. In the past year, the state has announced the creation of over 1,400 units of senior housing.

Kingsley House was constructed in 1968 under the New York State Mitchell-Lama Program, which provides housing to low- and moderate-income residents across the state. New York State works with owners as they near the end of affordability requirements to provide low-cost financing tools that help maintain and improve the developments while also extending their affordability.

Located at 41 Barker Avenue in White Plains, the development features 163 apartments for seniors age 62 and older. All apartments are affordable to households earning at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income. The 12-story building has 33 studios, 115 one-bedrooms, 15 two-bedrooms, and one superintendent unit. There is also one commercial space that is currently vacant.

All apartments underwent substantial renovations including installing new cabinets, sinks, flooring, and updated bathrooms.

Improvements to the building's common areas included new finishes in the library and community room, installation of security cameras, elevator modernization, balcony and façade repairs, a new roof, and a wheelchair-accessible entryway.

The scope of work included numerous energy-efficiency improvements including the installation of new windows and balcony doors, Energy Star-rated appliances, LED lighting, and high-efficiency heating systems, including a new energy management system.

Additional residential amenities at Kingsley House include a communal outdoor patio, library, community room with kitchen area, laundry room, mail room, and ample parking in the adjacent multilevel garage. The development is within one mile of several shopping malls, supermarkets, a pharmacy, public parks, a library, and entertainment venues.

State financing for the project included $13.9 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that generated $10.5 million in equity, and $2.4 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. HCR is also providing 53 Section 8 Project Based Vouchers.

MDG Design + Construction is the owner and developer.

Since 2011, HCR has invested $1.4 million to create and preserve more than 7,200 affordable homes in multifamily buildings in Westchester County, including The Overture at Brookfield Commons, which is the second phase of revitalization at the existing Winbrook Houses, a 450-unit public housing development constructed in 1949.

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