Tree of Life Affordable Housing Development Debuts at 89-46 164th Street in Jamaica, Queens

Tree of Life, at 89-46 164th Street in Jamaica, Queens. Courtesy of NY Housing ConnectTree of Life, at 89-46 164th Street in Jamaica, Queens

Construction is now complete on Tree of Life, a new affordable housing project at 89-46 164th Street in Jamaica, Queens. Developed in collaboration by First Jamaica Community and Urban Development Corporation (FJCUDC) and Bluestone Organization and designed by GF55 Architects, the 12-story building comprises 174 affordable units for a range of incomes from extremely low to moderate- and middle-income households. A total of 53 apartments will be permanently affordable under the city’s inclusionary housing program.

The amenity spaces occupy around 1,500 square feet and include a fitness room and a flexible community room.

Tree of Life is the latest Passive House-designed affordable housing development to debut in the five boroughs. Passive House refers to a rigorous construction standard that helps minimize energy consumption and carbon emissions. These structures also feature façade components that mitigate the transfer of heat and cold, which means occupants will spend less to maintain an ideal internal temperature.

The building will also house over 25,000 square feet of community facility space and 63 parking spaces. The community facility will be split between a 15,000-square-foot healthcare practice and a 10,000-square-foot education and training center with a library and computer area, a conference room, and individual counseling rooms.

“No family deserves to spend the night in a homeless shelter, and we must work with unprecedented urgency to ensure that each individual in our shelter system has a home to call their own,” said Queens borough president Donovan Richards Jr. “That’s what we’ve accomplished here in Jamaica today with the Tree of Life, and I couldn’t be prouder of the work of all our partners who made this facility a reality.”

Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Tree of Life (89-46 164th Street) - Photo by MASE FX

Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Tree of Life (89-46 164th Street) – Photo by MASE FX

Total construction costs are estimated at $83 million. In addition to private donations, project funding included more than $28 million in total New York City subsidies, over $30 million in tax-exempt bonds issued by HDC, approximately $12.2 million in low-income housing tax credit equity provided by Raymond James and a standby letter of credit provided by Citibank, and $2 million in Reso A funds. The latter was provided by the office of former Queens borough president Melinda Katz and the New York City Council, including $1.5 million and $500,000, respectively.

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9 Comments on "Tree of Life Affordable Housing Development Debuts at 89-46 164th Street in Jamaica, Queens"

  1. This is a bit unattractive up close.

  2. I like to have a application sent to my address 214-09 112 rd Queens Village NY 11429

  3. I’m interested like an application sent to me my address is 214-09 112 rd Queens Village NY 11429

  4. I wonder if HPD provided any funding. They wouldn’t have been happy about all the EIFS.

  5. David in Bushwick | January 23, 2023 at 12:48 pm | Reply

    63 freakin’ parking spaces cost money. How many more permanently affordable apartments would that money have built instead?
    Brooklyn and Queens Department of Buildings keeps living in the last century. Pathetic constipated bureaucracy at its worst.

  6. Affordable housing for whom?

  7. Can I get a application sent to me at my address 230 03 130 Ave

  8. Lorraine givens | January 26, 2023 at 10:23 am | Reply

    Yes yes i like it thahk you

  9. I would like an application sent to my address 10516 177th jamaica new york 11433

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