N.Y. Unveils First LEED Affordable Housing Development
The initial phase of the state's first LEED-certified affordable housing development has been finished, with the second phase slated for completion this fall.
The initial phase of the state's first LEED-certified affordable housing development has been finished, with the second phase slated for completion this fall.
Governor Eliot Spitzer and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled the 64-unit Morrisania Homes project Tuesday in what will be the first phase of its plaNYC strategy designed to bring 165,000 units if affordable housing to the city. Nearly 65,000 units have been financed through the plan.
"The Morrisania Homes show that affordable housing can also be sustainable housing," Mayor Bloomberg said in a statement. "As we work to build housing for the million new people expected to come to New York by 2030, we need to ensure that we are building homes that people can afford and that allow the city to grow in an environmentally responsible way."
The project, located within two blocks of public transportation, meets the requirements for the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Homes Pilot Program. All indoor features, such as high-efficiency sealed combustion boilers, lighting fixtures and recyclable carpeting, are Energy Star certified for 30 percent less energy consumption. New tenants will receive instructions to maintain the homes.
Families earning about $42,000 are eligible for the development that is comprised of 16 three-family and eight two-family houses. An additional 12 units in the form of four three-family homes will be added for the second phase, slated for completion this fall.
"What makes this an especially important event is that they are built in an area of the South Bronx that was once written off and abandoned by many," said Les Bluestone, principal of Blue Sea Development, which worked on the project. "We are extremely proud to be able to offer sustainable design in high performance homes to low and moderate income New Yorkers."
Blue Sea Development brought the project to fruition through HPD's Partnership New Homes Program. Morrisania Homes was financed with a $1.5 million grant from New York State Affordable Housing Corp., $1.9 million in city subsidies, $453,115 from Borough President Adolfo Carrion, and $40,000 from Council Member Helen Foster. JP Morgan Chase wrote the $6.6 million construction loan.
“Despite the perception that green homes cost more to build than conventional projects, the Housing Partnership believes, as do our construction lenders and our public partners, that the development of sustainable, environmentally efficient homes is a sound investment,” said Housing Partnership Development Corp. President and CEO Daniel Martin. “The long-term benefits will far outweigh the extra up front cost.”
Upfront project costs associated with green building are estimated at about 3 percent of total development costs, according to the USGBC. Utility and replacement costs, however, are reduced in the long-term.
Governor Eliot Spitzer and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled the 64-unit Morrisania Homes project Tuesday in what will be the first phase of its plaNYC strategy designed to bring 165,000 units if affordable housing to the city. Nearly 65,000 units have been financed through the plan.
"The Morrisania Homes show that affordable housing can also be sustainable housing," Mayor Bloomberg said in a statement. "As we work to build housing for the million new people expected to come to New York by 2030, we need to ensure that we are building homes that people can afford and that allow the city to grow in an environmentally responsible way."
The project, located within two blocks of public transportation, meets the requirements for the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Homes Pilot Program. All indoor features, such as high-efficiency sealed combustion boilers, lighting fixtures and recyclable carpeting, are Energy Star certified for 30 percent less energy consumption. New tenants will receive instructions to maintain the homes.
Families earning about $42,000 are eligible for the development that is comprised of 16 three-family and eight two-family houses. An additional 12 units in the form of four three-family homes will be added for the second phase, slated for completion this fall.
"What makes this an especially important event is that they are built in an area of the South Bronx that was once written off and abandoned by many," said Les Bluestone, principal of Blue Sea Development, which worked on the project. "We are extremely proud to be able to offer sustainable design in high performance homes to low and moderate income New Yorkers."
Blue Sea Development brought the project to fruition through HPD's Partnership New Homes Program. Morrisania Homes was financed with a $1.5 million grant from New York State Affordable Housing Corp., $1.9 million in city subsidies, $453,115 from Borough President Adolfo Carrion, and $40,000 from Council Member Helen Foster. JP Morgan Chase wrote the $6.6 million construction loan.
“Despite the perception that green homes cost more to build than conventional projects, the Housing Partnership believes, as do our construction lenders and our public partners, that the development of sustainable, environmentally efficient homes is a sound investment,” said Housing Partnership Development Corp. President and CEO Daniel Martin. “The long-term benefits will far outweigh the extra up front cost.”
Upfront project costs associated with green building are estimated at about 3 percent of total development costs, according to the USGBC. Utility and replacement costs, however, are reduced in the long-term.
