NYCHA - Request for Affordable Housing Proposals 20150701

NYC Housing Authority


Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2015

NYCHA CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322
HPD CONTACT: bedermae@hpd.nyc.gov | (212) 863-5176

NYCHA & HPD RELEASE REQUEST FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPOSALS IN BROOKLYN, BRONX
City Seeks Partners to Create Affordable Housing Units at Ingersoll, Van Dyke & Mill Brook Developments for Seniors and Families

NEW YORK — The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) today released the “Request for Proposal” (RFP) for potential developers to expand 100 percent affordable housing opportunities at three NYCHA developments, including Ingersoll (Fort Greene, Brooklyn), Van Dyke (Brownsville, Brooklyn) and Mill Brook (Mott Haven, the Bronx.) The plan to create affordable senior and family housing on underused NYCHA property was the outcome of an extensive and meaningful planning process with hundreds of residents and community advocates.

The proposal advances the goals of Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York plan to build or preserve 200,000 affordable housing units over the next ten years. It also helps achieve NYCHA’s commitment to contribute 10,000 of those affordable units within the decade as part of NextGeneration NYCHA, the Authority’s 10-year strategic plan.

“We must use every tool at our disposal to preserve public housing and create more affordable housing opportunities for seniors and families that are trying to make ends meet while living in the City they are proud to call home,” said NYCHA General Manager Michael Kelly. “By taking a thoughtful approach to how we use NYCHA property, we can create more affordable housing options for residents and New Yorkers.”

Through the RFP, the City has invited developers, including non-profit entities and M/WBE firms, to submit proposals for the design, financing, construction, and operations of 100 percent affordable new housing at Ingersoll, Van Dyke, and Mill Brook. For the purposes of this RFP, affordable is considered a senior or family household earning less than 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). The proposed developments will be 100% affordable and seek to reach households at lower AMI levels.

"Community engagement and inter-agency coordination are essential to achieving the goals of Housing New York,” said HPD Commissioner Vicki Been. “NYCHA is an essential partner in our goal to provide safe, high quality affordable housing to all New Yorkers, and I look forward to working with Chairperson Olatoye and her team to harness these underused sites for the creation of much-needed affordable housing for Seniors and very low income families in these Brooklyn and Bronx communities."

NYCHA will retain rights to the land developed through a long-term ground lease, provide critical oversight to the project, require developers to train and hire NYCHA residents, and proactively engage residents on a regular basis as the project moves forward. Additionally, NYCHA and the City will require developers to provide stabilized rents and NYCHA residents will have a preference for 25 percent of the units.

The RFP framework for Ingersoll, Van Dyke, and Mill Brook were generated from the goals and priorities identified by residents from outreach, surveys, community visioning workshops, NYCHA resident meetings and ongoing engagement for NextGeneration.

Ingersoll:

The Ingersoll Community Vision Plan developed by nearly 215 residents includes recommendations on identifying funding sources and partners to build affordable and senior housing at Ingersoll.

The RFP seeks a partner to build 100% affordable units for seniors 62 years or older on the site of an unused grass area. The developer is required to propose plans to create first floor community space for residents and surrounding NYCHA community.

Van Dyke:

The Van Dyke Community Vision Plan developed by more than 185 residents includes recommendations on seeking funding sources and partners to invest and build affordable housing in the neighborhood.

The RFP seeks a partner to build 100% affordable units for families on the site of a current parking lot.

Mill Brook:

The Mill Brook Community Vision Plan developed by nearly 300 residents includes recommendations to identify appropriate locations in the community for senior housing, funding sources and partners.

The RFP seeks a partner to build 100% affordable units for seniors 62 years or older on the site of an accessory parking lot. The developer is required to propose plans for a first floor senior community center for residents and community and identify a partner to operator the center and services for seniors.

The RFP can be accessed here and proposals are due September 30, 2015.

“In Mott Haven, we are seeing the rents go up all around us, while the neighborhood has fewer and fewer options for people to live. If families and senior citizens are going to stay in the community we need more affordable housing. For too long as residents our voices have gone unheard and our issues pushed aside, but I’m starting to see a little change and what looks like a strong new direction at NYCHA. Residents have been invited to the table (finally) to make decisions that impact us, and while there are still a number of issues to be addressed, I’ll continue to work to improve my community and I look forward to seeing how NYCHA will help make Mill Brook’s community vision become a reality,” said Patricia Brown, Mill Brook Houses Resident and Community Voices Heard Leader.

"NYCHA should be commended for contributing toward the Mayor's Affordable Housing Plan after a long and open process of community visioning. The Housing NY Plan, as it is called, is continuing a tradition that NYCHA itself pioneered more than 80 years ago--the tradition of creating affordable housing on a scale that touches the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. Given its history, the Housing Authority is a natural partner in the Mayor's historic effort to build a more affordable New York," said Councilmember Ritchie Torres, Chair of the Committee on Public Housing.

“NYCHA’s release of RFPs for deeply affordable family and senior housing developments at Millbrook, Van Dyke and Ingersoll in response to NYCHA tenants’ needs articulated last summer, began a truly comprehensive approach to integrating NYCHA housing with the surrounding neighborhoods and addressing the housing needs of NYCHA as well as community residents. We applaud their commitment to affordability, building 100% affordable buildings, and we look forward to working with NYCHA to make sure that those units go the neediest New York City residents,” said Jonathan Westin, Executive Director of the New York Communities for Change.

“Our seniors are the fastest growing population in New York City and we should all be so honored to join their ranks one day. As our seniors are living longer and healthier lives, affordable housing will be critical in preserving the socioeconomic and intergenerational diversity across the five boroughs. Our seniors are filled with the vigor and tenacity that make our communities incredible. It is essential that we remain invested in them so that they may continue to thrive in our neighborhoods comfortably. As a Member of the Committee on Public Housing, I am delighted that the NextGen NYCHA plan will provide 100% affordable senior housing within the Raymond V. Ingersoll housing development and I look forward to working with NYCHA to ensure that the development of NextGen includes local non-profits and community stakeholders as partners. As we move forward, it is my hope that local residents will continue to be embraced, engaged, and involved throughout the implementation of the NextGen NYCHA process,” said Councilmember Laurie A. Cumbo.

"I have shared meaningful conversations with NYCHA leadership on creating affordable housing for seniors and families at Ingersoll Houses and Van Dyke Houses. This is an opportunity for us to meet the needs of Brooklynites that have long been underserved, including our increasing population of grandparents raising their grandchildren. There are challenges ahead, but this request for proposals represents an important step in the road map that is Next Generation NYCHA, the first real road map developed in a long time to meet the Authority's longstanding capital needs, create safer living conditions for residents, and retrofit buildings for a sustainable future," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

"I look forward to working with NYCHA residents, Mayor de Blasio, and my colleagues to upgrade NYCHA's ability to build and maintain communities where all residents can thrive. Modernizing and upgrading developments, providing affordable housing opportunities, and meeting community needs all require constructive engagement with residents so they are brought along each step of the way. In planning and assessing the RFPs, I encourage the city to continually include residents in shaping Next Generation NYCHA's development and implementation. I stand ready to convene forums, bring together stakeholders, and help ensure that the community's voice is heard," said State Senator Jesse Hamilton.

“I commend Mayor de Blasio and the New York City Housing Authority for their commitment to building a city in which every family can afford to live. I look forward to working with the residents of the Van Dyke community and the De Blasio administration to create a next generation of NYCHA that provides a safe and wholesome environment for all residents of the Van Dyke community,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

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About The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA):
The New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) mission is to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. To that end, NYCHA administers a Conventional Public Housing Program as well as a citywide Section 8 Leased Housing Program in rental apartments. NYCHA also works with numerous partners to connect our residents to a multitude of community, educational and recreational programs, as well as job readiness and training initiatives. To fulfill our mission, NYCHA must preserve an aging housing stock through timely maintenance and modernization of developments. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/nycha

About The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD):
HPD is the nation’s largest municipal housing preservation and development agency. Its mission is to promote quality housing and viable neighborhoods for New Yorkers through education, outreach, loan and development programs, and enforcement of housing quality standards. HPD is tasked with fulfilling Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York: A Five-Borough Ten-Year Plan to create and preserve 200,000 affordable units for New Yorkers at the very lowest incomes to those in the middle class. For more information visit www.nyc.gov/hpd and for regular updates on HPD news and services, connect with us via www.facebook.com/nychpd and www.twitter.com/nychousing.