351 Powers Avenue RFP - Process

Housing Preservation & Development


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351 Powers Avenue RFP


351 Powers Avenue RFP

351 Powers Avenue RFP

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RFP Process & FAQs

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RFP Process and FAQs

The Request for Proposals (RFP) is a competitive review process where HPD calls for proposals for new housing and community amenities. HPD issues the call through a document that outlines the goals, evaluation criteria, and requirements, which Development teams use to propose projects in response to the RFP document. The proposals are then evaluated based on their ability to meet those requirements and advance the goals reflected in the RFP’s competitive criteria, Community Visioning Report.

The 351 Powers RFP project is currently in the Request for Proposals issuance phase of a multi-year process that leads to the construction of new affordable homes for New Yorkers. In August 2022, HPD release the 351 Powers Avenue RFP.

Want to learn more about the RFPs process and milestones? Check out the FAQs below.

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Community Input

How will community input be incorporated into the RFP?

The results are summarized in the 351 Powers Avenue Community Visioning Report that are attached to the RFP. The purpose of the community engagement events and the summary is to provide an opportunity for community members to give their feedback and recommendations on how the project can best service their needs. The Community Visioning Report is provided as part of the RFP document so that prospective developers understand what the priorities and needs of the community, and craft proposals that are responsive to such needs and priorities.

Developers will be required to consult the Community Visioning Report in developing their proposal and describe how their proposal achieves community development objectives and considers community goals. Amongst other evaluation criteria, proposals will be evaluated in part on how thoughtfully they consider and respond to the priorities and needs outlined in the Community Visioning Report.

Will there be additional opportunities for community feedback after the developer is selected?

These workshops are the start of the community engagement process. Once selected, the developer will report back to the Community Board, and there will be many opportunities for review and feedback during the formal public review process.

Will input from people who live far away from the site have the same weight as people from near the site?

We get lots of input on from many different types of stakeholders, our goal is to focus on the big picture and to accommodate as many perspectives as possible, but we are conducting extensive outreach in the community to ensure that those who may be most impacted by the new development are informed and have opportunities to provide feedback.

Once the building is complete, how can I apply to live in one of these buildings?

After construction, newly available apartments go through a lottery process. Note that the buildings on the two sites will not finish construction for several years (see timeline question for more info). In the meantime, you can visit NYC Housing Connect online for more information about current affordable housing lotteries that are open to the public.

For help on how to apply, contact a nearby Housing Ambassador such as Nos Quedamos located at 754 Melrose Avenue (call 718-585-2323 or email amelendez@nosquedamos.org) or BronxWorks located at 630 Jackson Avenue, 1st Floor (call 929-252-7110 or email SRhem@Bronxworks.org). A complete list of Housing Ambassadors can be found at nyc.gov/housing-ambassadors.

Requests for Proposals

What is a Request for Proposals (RFP) and why is the City issuing an RFP?

A Request for Proposals is a document issued by HPD that seeks proposals for new housing and community amenities on City-owned land. Development teams propose projects in response to the criteria and requirements outlined in the document. Such proposals are evaluated based on their ability to meet such requirements and advance the goals as reflected in the competitive criteria of the document as well as the Community Visioning Report that is be attached to the RFP document.

Why is HPD issuing an RFP on this site?

The City is addressing the affordable housing crisis in NYC by developing or preserving 300,000 units of income-restricted housing by 2026. The commitment by the City to move forward with issuing an RFP for affordable housing at 351 Powers Avenue was included as part of new neighborhood investments in communities surrounding the proposed borough-based jails.

What is the timeline of the RFP and project? When will it be completed? When will it be ready to rent?

The development of public sites is a multi-year process (5-8 years), and we are only at the very early stages, starting at community engagement.

After allowing time for the developers to respond as well as for the City to review the proposals, we will announce the selected development teams. The project will have to go through environmental review and a public approvals process as well as finalize its financing. This process can last two to three years after we issue the RFP, and leads up to the start of construction. Construction of a site this size can take anywhere from 18-36 months.

Can the community help choose the developers or proposal for the sites?

We highly value community input informing the development of the RFP, before it is written and issued, which is why we designed activities that gather your input. HPD takes the integrity of its RFP competitive review process seriously. As such, HPD is required to ensure that the RFP process prevents potential conflicts of interests (and disqualifications of teams because of potential conflict of interest), and cannot allow community members to partake in the review.

The visions gathered throughout this community engagement are published in the Community Visioning Report and attached to the RFP for development teams to refer to in crafting proposals. Proposals will be scored on how well they respond to the visions of the community in addition to a range of other criteria, including financial feasibility, architecture/design, development team experience, and the quality of the development program.

Will we be able to see the RFP when it is released?

Yes. Learn more about the 351 Powers Avenue RFP.

Affordability

What will be the rents and income qualifications for the new apartments?

The RFP for the site will require proposals where 100% of the units are affordable according to the incomes outlined in our financing programs for different types of housing (Senior, Supportive, Rental, Homeownership, etc.). We want to hear from the community what populations and income-levels should be prioritized for this site.

Will market rate housing be part of the development?

No, the RFP will require proposals for housing that is 100% affordable (income-restricted, where tenants pay no more than 1/3 of their income on rent and are protected from sharp rent increases) using our HPD financing programs.

Will the units be permanently affordable?

As with all of our recent RFPs, we will encourage respondents to include proposals for long-term or permanent affordability. Also, in the past few years, HPD has been issuing RFPs with language that requires what is called a remainder interest. Remainder interest is a legal tool that enables the City to retain ownership of the land at the end of an initial regulatory period, unless the developer refinances and extends affordability.

Will there be a preference for community residents in the new development?

Under current policy, a developer must, during initial rent-up of an HPD development, give preference for 20% of the income-restricted units to applicants who, at the time of application, are residents of Bronx Community District 1 in which the site is located. If the development is advertised for initial rent-up after April 30, 2029, the developer must give preference for 15% of the income-restricted units to applicants who are residents of the Community District in which the site is located.

Depending on the housing programs selected and the resulting financing sources, different rules may apply to parts of the development which could result in a community preference, a borough-wide preference, or no geographically-based preference at all.

Economic Development and Other Community Impacts

Will local jobs be available for Bronx residents?

All projects financed by HPD must include a plan for job outreach to community residents related to employment opportunities generated by the project. HPD is also connecting Bronx residents to jobs in the building trades. The HireNYC program requires that housing development receiving $2 million or more in HPD subsidy post their open positions with the Workforce1 system and consider qualified candidates.

Do we know how new development will impact the neighborhood and associated infrastructure (schools, transit, noise, etc.)?

Because the project involves the transfer of City-owned land, it will have to go through an extensive public review process. As a part of public review, an environmental study will be required to assess and address any potential impacts identified in the study.