Affordable Housing Development Breaks Ground at 13-12 Beach Channel Drive in Far Rockaway, Queens

Beach Channel Drive Apartments at 13-12 Beach Channel Drive - Courtesy of UAIBeach Channel Drive Apartments at 13-12 Beach Channel Drive - Courtesy of UAI

Elected officials and developers recently gathered to celebrate the commencement of construction at 13-12 Beach Channel Drive in Far Rockaway, Queens. Designed by Urban Architecture Initiatives and developed by BRC and Camber Property Group, the eight-story property will include a mix of 147 deeply affordable units, 100 shelter units with supportive services, tenant amenities, and a community facility.

The building will debut as Beach Channel Apartments and is expected to open in January 2025. The mix of units will include 125 studios, 9 one-bedroom, and 13 two-bedroom apartment units. A total of 88 studios will be reserved for formerly homeless individuals who will have access to the on-site supportive studios. The remaining units will be designated for households earning 30 to 60 percent area median income (AMI).

“Providing housing to our community’s most vulnerable residents can be a launching pad to their success and it must be done through the lens of equity,” said NYC majority whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “With the housing crisis in New York City reaching a tipping point, this development with new housing, much-needed community space, and wraparound services provides my community with vital resources that will help continue Downtown Far Rockaway’s renaissance.”

Renderings show the façade composed of off-white, gray, and tan paneling set atop gray brick at the base. To maximize efficiency, the structure is designed to Enterprise Green Communities Standards and will include Energy Star appliances, water conserving fixtures, low-VOC finishes, coated windows, and above-grade insulation and roof coating materials.

Amenity spaces will include a flexible community room for gatherings and events, a laundry room, bike storage, and social service programming space. Tenants will also have access to outdoor recreational spaces. The community space, not yet specified by the project team, will occupy 1,239 square feet of the ground floor.

“With so many families and individuals suffering from chronic and mental illnesses, the public health crisis we face is across the board,” said state assembly member Khaleel M. Anderson. “We must expand the supportive housing model equitably and responsibly, prioritizing wraparound social and healthcare services. Residents will also benefit from structured programming to ensure that the most vulnerable New Yorkers can have a safe environment in which to live.”

The total cost of construction is estimated around $97 million and was financed through Citibank, Freddie Mac, and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

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3 Comments on "Affordable Housing Development Breaks Ground at 13-12 Beach Channel Drive in Far Rockaway, Queens"

  1. David : Sent From Heaven. | October 30, 2022 at 7:14 am | Reply

    I’ve never seen colors like this on the property before, the safety of living is a factor that makes the community livable. Quality of life plays a big part, in how happy they are: Thank you.

  2. David in Bushwick | October 30, 2022 at 11:04 am | Reply

    So glad this is happening.

  3. Virgie Glover | July 1, 2023 at 10:33 am | Reply

    Hello my husband and I are interested in looking for a one bedroom it’s just the two of us & we’re both seniors, looking forward to moving by August or September 2023

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