QUEENS, NY – U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, City Council Member Francisco Moya and senior officials from the de Blasio administration today joined HANAC, Inc. at the completion and dedication of Corona Senior Residence by HANAC in Corona, Queens. Located at 54-17 101st Street, the newly constructed 8-story development includes a mix of 67 affordable studio and one-bedroom apartments, 21 of which are reserved for formerly homeless seniors. The development will also include an on-site preschool operated by the New York City School Construction Authority, which currently serves about 60 children.
The residence is one of the largest low-income senior housing complexes in the country that meets Passive Housing Institute design standards, which reduce energy consumption by up to 90%, resulting in lower utility bills for tenants and costs lower operating costs for owners. The building also meets NYSERDA multifamily performance standards for Energy Star certification, as well as Business Green Communities Criteria .
“Under the New York City Mayor’s Housing Plan, construction of new senior housing has increased to unprecedented levels. Thanks to dedicated partners like HANAC, 67 extremely low-income seniors now have the security of an affordable home in a supportive community. I want to congratulate our development partners and local elected officials for working with us to provide the high-quality affordable housing our city’s seniors need and deserve,” he said. HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll .
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“HANAC is extremely proud to develop a unique project for low-income seniors with ground-floor preschool facilities and be Passive House certified. Additionally, social services are provided on-site to our tenants to help them age in a stable living environment while achieving high standards of energy efficiency through Passive House design,” he said. Paola Duran, Director of Housing Development, HANAC. “HANAC applauds all of its partners for making HANAC Corona a reality to serve our oldest and youngest New Yorkers.”
The residence was one of the first properties to receive financing under HPD's Senior Affordable Rental Apartments (SARA) program and offers supportive services to residents through a HANAC Corona social worker, who is on site every day. The Social Worker provides tenants with education on chronic disease management and prevention, as well as community-building activities to encourage the formation of informal support networks and decrease social isolation. Residents also have the opportunity to access medical care coordination and mental health assessments. Together, these services prevent avoidable hospitalizations and improve health outcomes for all tenants.
“Now is the time to invest in healthy, affordable housing for seniors who are vulnerable to losing their homes due to rising rent and medical care costs,” he said. Judi Kende, vice president and New York market leader, Enterprise . “Corona Senior Residence goes beyond just housing to provide essential support services and meet the highest green standards through Passive House Certification. We are proud to play a role in creating these homes and congratulate HPD and HANAC for bringing these beautiful new homes to Corona.”
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The $36 million Passive House project was developed from the Willets Point Community Benefits Agreement. Funding included more than $14 million in city grants, including $9.7 million from HPD's SARA Program, $3.6 million in Reso A funding from the City Council and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and $1 million in settlement funds from the New York State Attorney General's office, Chase, and the New York City Retirement System (NYCRS) also provided funding for the project. Enterprise distributed $12.8 million in equity through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit. Bruno Frustaci Construtora Ltda as General Contractor, think! Architecture and Design as an architect, the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA) as a sustainability consultant, Goldstein Hall PLLC as a consultant, and James Mitchell as a housing consultant.
“Affordable housing is critical for the most vulnerable New Yorkers, especially seniors. I am proud to support an organization that strives to provide community-centered, innovative, and energy-efficient housing. With a pre-K on the ground floor and additional programs and services, this is precisely the type of development our neighborhood needs. I am thrilled to join HANAC on this important occasion as we fight to keep Queens affordable for everyone,” said US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
“New York City is fighting a true affordable housing crisis,” he said New York State Attorney General Letitia James . “Many seniors have been forced from their homes and are struggling to find affordable alternatives. I thank HANAC for their work to provide our seniors with the quality, affordable housing they need and deserve.”
“At a time when there is such a high demand for senior housing throughout the neighborhood, housing seniors affordably is essential for our neighborhoods to truly flourish,” he said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz . “The innovative and energy-efficient HANAC Corona Senior Residence will provide seniors not only with new, modern homes, including nearly two dozen reserved for those who were previously homeless, but also with the on-site support services needed to help them age gracefully. and dignity.”
“The Corona Senior Residence is a phenomenal example of dynamic planning to meet this city’s greatest needs. Not only does it create truly affordable housing for New York City's seniors, it does so in an environmentally responsible way while also addressing the city's need for more child care. There are few endeavors more worthy of our efforts than tackling the housing crisis, climate change and the next generation of New Yorkers. I applaud HANAC for its commitment to tackling these issues head-on and thank the Department of Urban Planning and all of our partners for making this project possible,” he said New York City Council Member Francisco Moya.
“Chase is committed to supporting vibrant, diverse communities through affordable housing, including in Queens, where access for low-income seniors is vital to sustaining an inclusive community,” he said. Dave Walsh, Northeast Regional Manager for Community Development Banks, Chase . “We are proud to support the Corona Senior Residence development, which not only provides a safe and affordable place to live, but also offers support services to help residents thrive in the local community.”
“As we address the challenge of homelessness across the city, innovative affordable housing projects are essential to helping New Yorkers facing housing instability,” he said. Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks . “This building will provide seniors in need with high-quality, affordable housing, access to social services, as well as the opportunity to be part of a community within a community. We are proud to collaborate with organizations like HANAC and City Agency partners to improve the lives of New Yorkers through successful initiatives like this.”
“I am excited to congratulate HANAC on the opening of its new Corona Senior Residence. With a mix of 67 affordable studios and one-bedroom apartments, including some reserved for formerly homeless seniors, this residence is sorely needed in our community. I am grateful to HANAC for understanding and meeting our neighbors’ greatest needs.”
“We are excited to be able to offer a new preschool center for families in Corona as part of this public-private partnership that benefits children and seniors,” he said Lorraine Grillo, President and CEO of the New York City School Construction Authority . “As part of Mayor de Blasio's Pre-Kindergarten for All Initiative, District 24 families now have access to a beautiful, modern Pre-Kindergarten facility, providing the learning environment for children to grow and thrive .”
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The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is the largest municipal housing preservation and development agency in the country. Its mission is to promote quality housing and diverse, thriving neighborhoods for New Yorkers through lending and development programs for new affordable housing, preserving the affordability of existing housing stock, enforcing housing quality standards, and educational programs for renters and building owners. HPD is tasked with delivering on Mayor de Blasio's NYC Housing Plan, which was recently expanded and accelerated through Housing New York 2.0 complete the initial target of 200,000 homes two years ahead of schedule – by 2022, and reach an additional 100,000 homes over the following four years, for a total of 300,000 homes by 2026. For full details, visit www.nyc.gov/hpd and for regular updates on HPD news and services, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @NYCHousing.
Enterprise is a proven, powerful nonprofit that improves communities and people's lives by making well-designed homes affordable. Enterprise brings together national know-how, partners, political leadership and investment to multiply the impact of local affordable housing development. Over 35 years, Enterprise has created nearly 529,000 homes, invested $36 billion and touched millions of lives. Join us at www.EnterpriseCommunity.org .
The Department of Social Services , comprised of the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), serves more than three million New Yorkers annually through a wide range of services aimed at combating poverty, income inequality and prevent homelessness. In April 2016, following a comprehensive review of the city's homelessness policies, Mayor de Blasio announced a major restructuring of homeless services in New York City and appointed Commissioner Steven Banks to lead the Department of Homelessness. Social Services, which integrated the HRA and the Department of Homeless Services. under a joint management structure. HRA serves more than 3 million New Yorkers through the administration of more than 12 major public assistance programs with 15,000 employees. DHS oversees a broad network of shelters and services with 2,000 employees and is dedicated to helping New Yorkers experiencing homelessness get back on their feet as quickly as possible. DSS is critical in implementing Mayor de Blasio's agenda to expand opportunities for more New Yorkers, help homeless New Yorkers secure stable housing, address income inequality, and ensure New Yorkers receive the benefits and assistance to which they are entitled.
Founded in Astoria, Queens in 1972, HANAC, Inc. is a multifaceted social services and housing organization that provides a wide range of services to immigrants, seniors, families and youth. In addition to serving more than 35,000 New Yorkers annually, HANAC has built and owns 650 units of affordable housing in New York.
*The information provided was taken from the NYC DOB website.
