Governor Hochul Announces Completion of 96-Unit Affordable and Supportive Housing Development in the Bronx

2050 Grand Concourse Brings Affordable Apartments to Fordham Heights, Including 58 With Supportive Services

Highly Energy Efficient, All-Electric Development Awarded $750,000 From State’s Buildings of Excellence Competition

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of 2050 Grand Concourse, an affordable and supportive housing development with 96 apartments in the Bronx’s Fordham Heights neighborhood. The all-electric development was awarded funding from the State’s Buildings of Excellence Competition, which aims to advance zero-carbon multifamily buildings in New York.

“With this new housing development in the Bronx, we’re helping more New Yorkers access the high quality, supportive, and affordable housing they deserve,” Governor Hochul said. “These 96 homes will not only transform lives and set residents on a path to stability and success, but thanks to the development’s energy efficient design, we’re also building a stronger, healthier, and greener community for all.”

In the last five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved 14,700 affordable homes in the Bronx. 2050 Grand Concourse continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul's $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan to create or preserve 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.

2050 Grand Concourse was awarded $750,000 through the State’s inaugural Buildings of Excellence Competition. Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, this one-of-a-kind competition advances Governor Hochul's goal to achieve two million climate-friendly homes by 2030 and supports the State's nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050.

Energy efficiency measures include high-performance exterior insulation; solar panels; Energy Star windows, lighting, and appliances; high-efficiency HVAC systems; low-flow plumbing fixtures; sustainable building products; construction waste management systems; low-VOC paints, solvents, and adhesives; and recycled building materials.

In addition to the 96 apartments, the building includes a 10,000-square-foot community facility space that serves as the new headquarters for Unique People Services, Inc., a Bronx-based nonprofit organization that will provide social services for residents and the broader community.

There are 58 apartments reserved for adults who have access to on-site supportive services such as care coordination, vocational training, transportation, food and nutrition education, health promotion and education, home-making assistance, and counseling.

Rental subsidies and services for 28 supportive units are funded through an Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative award administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health and 30 units are funded through an HIV/AIDS Services Administration award administered by the New York City Human Resources Administration.

The remaining apartments are affordable to households earning at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Residential amenities include a large community room with kitchen, a laundry facility, storage rooms, and two landscaped rooftop terraces.

The developers are Unique People Services and Robert Sanborn Development.

State financing for the $61.4 million development included $7.4 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, $21.3 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and $21.2 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance provided $5.5 million from the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. OMH provided startup expenses for the ESSHI units totaling $253,000. NYSERDA provided $77,600 through the Multifamily New Construction Program, $136,000 through the Real-Time Energy Management Program, and $49,300 in funding through NY Sun’s Multifamily Affordable Housing Incentive. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation provided $1.9 million.