“TCB is proud to bring new, affordable homes and community services to the Mott Haven neighborhood,” said Desiree Andrepont, senior project manager at The Community Builders. “This mixed-use, mixed-income development provides housing stability, economic opportunity, and healthy food options to the community; these efforts would not be possible without the help of our partners and neighbors.”
The new 10-story, 180,000 square foot building includes a mix of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom units available for families and individuals with incomes up to 80 percent of Area Median Income. Residents can enjoy a wellness room, a resident lounge, a children’s play area, a community room, onsite laundry, bicycle storage, and outdoor landscaped recreation areas to encourage active and healthy living.
Of the 178 units, 50 are designated as permanent housing for chronically homeless families and individuals. BronxWorks is providing onsite services to residents, funded through an Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) grant awarded by the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). The ground floor includes 7,000 square feet for BronxWorks workforce development programs and 14,000 square feet for a Food Retail Expansion to Support Health Program (FRESH) grocery store. When complete, the project’s 70 permanent full-time and part-time jobs and BronxWorks’ workforce development programs will expand economic opportunity in the community.
The building is 100 percent affordable and was financed under HPD and HDC’s ELLA program. HDC provided $39 million in tax-exempt bonds and $11 million in subsidy; HPD subsidy financing included $22.3 million in City Capital funds. The NYC City Council also provided $1,000,000 in Reso A funds. Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity of $33.6 million was provided by RBC and Bank of New York Mellon provided a stand-by letter of credit.
“Through the Mayor's housing plan, we are advancing dynamic affordable housing developments that add to the vitality of the neighborhood. Park Haven pairs 178 new affordable homes, including 50 homes for New Yorkers who have experienced chronic homelessness, with a new grocery store and a workforce development program run by BronxWorks,” said HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll. “We’re proud to join The Community Builders and BronxWorks in celebrating a development that both provides stability for its residents and strengthens the entire community for decades to come.”
“Today we celebrate the completion of 178 affordable homes for low-income and formerly homeless households in the Mott Haven community, 78 of which will be permanently affordable,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “Park Haven also includes recreational space, a much needed fresh food grocery store, and extensive supportive services, including workforce development programs and onsite case management provided by Bronx Works. Congratulations to all of our partners on the completion of this dynamic project and for giving hope to the all the residents who will now call Park Haven home.”
“The combination of affordable housing and supportive services will provide residents of Park Haven Apartments with the stability they need to thrive in the community,” said OTDA Executive Deputy Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn. “This project underscores Governor’s Hochul’s strong commitment to supportive housing and its power to help transform lives. Congratulations to The Community Builders, BronxWorks, our partners with New York City, and others involved in bringing this project to completion.”
Park Haven is designed to the ENERGY STAR Multifamily High-rise Program and Enterprise Green Community standards, and leverages Passive House design principals. The building includes a large rooftop solar array and other sustainable features which reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve indoor and outdoor air quality, and reduce utility costs to residents.
Park Haven was awarded $750,000 as part of New York State’s inaugural $40 million Buildings of Excellence Competition for building design that implements advanced, climate-specific design strategies to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. This competition, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), supports New York State’s climate and energy goals including the mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050. NYSERDA supported the project with an additional $400,000 through its Multi-family New Construction and NY-Sun programs.
Doreen M Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA said, “NYSERDA takes great pleasure in seeing this round one Buildings of Excellence project reach completion and cut the ribbon on additional affordable housing for Bronx residents that incorporates renewable energy in the form of rooftop solar. Projects like Park Haven are showing that carbon neutral buildings can be beautiful places to live, while also supporting the State’s goal to ensure all New Yorkers benefit from clean energy investments.”
"CSH is proud to partner with The Community Builders by providing pre-development financing from a revolving line of credit for this exciting Park Haven project. We could not be more delighted to help finance this project that will provide a substantial number of new homes along with supportive job training and education services in partnership with BronxWorks to help build a thriving community," said Deborah De Santis, President and CEO at Corporation for Supportive Housing.
“This development will strengthen and help transform the Park Haven community, providing high-quality, affordable housing along with ample community space and healthy food access within a new grocery store,” said Greg Maher, the Leviticus Fund’s Executive Director. “The Leviticus Fund is proud to have had the opportunity to use its flexible financing to advance the work of The Community Builders.”
“The Community Builders has a long track record of bringing high quality, holistic development projects with affordable housing and community facilities to communities around the country,” said Kirsten Shaw, Vice President of LIIF’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions. “LIIF was pleased to provide early stage financing to help TCB plan the construction of its first New York City project. We congratulate them and all their partners on starting work at Park Haven and look forward to the new homes and healthy food the project will bring to Mott Haven.”
