Local officials and developers recently celebrated the commencement of construction on Sutphin Senior Residence, a 15-story affordable housing property at 97-04 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens. Designed by Bernheimer Architecture and developed by affordable housing developer Breaking Ground, the building will yield 173 apartments reserved for low-income seniors, including 52 supportive housing units for formerly homeless older adults with serious mental illness or substance use disorder.
The remaining 121 units will be reserved for adults aged 62 years or older, earning 50 percent or less than the area median income.
“We are thrilled to break ground on Sutphin Senior Residence today,” said Brenda Rosen, president and CEO of Breaking Ground. “Older adults are the fastest growing population in New York, and the fastest growing age demographic falling into homelessness. We are grateful for the leadership of Governor Hochul and the collaboration among New York State and City agencies that make it possible to create new housing, with onsite support, for our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Additional components include a 15,000-square-foot health center operated by the Community Healthcare Network on the ground and cellar levels. The health center will offer free Wi-Fi, a fitness room, and outdoor recreation areas.
The entire structure was designed to meet Passive House standards, Enterprise Green Communities certification, and strict environmental standards outlined by NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Initiative.
Renderings of the project depict a gray masonry façade with teal accents around the windows and secondary entrance.
Alternative rendering of 97-04 Sutphin Boulevard
“Like many other developments supported by the state, this project meets high standards for energy efficiency as part of our commitment to reducing carbon emissions in the buildings sector, especially in lower-income communities,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “As we celebrate Climate Week, it is imperative that we continue our work toward reducing the harmful impacts of climate change by incorporating nation-leading standard and building a greener New York for all.”
State financing for Sutphin Senior Housing includes $33 million in permanent tax-exempt housing bonds, $53 million in Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and $13 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The New York State Office for Temporary and Disability Assistance is providing $6.7 million through the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. Other financing includes $14 million through the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Senior Affordable Rental Apartments Program and $3 million in discretionary support from the New York City Council and Queens Borough President.
In addition, the all-electric building was awarded $951,500 from NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Initiative that is putting New York on the path to meeting the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s target of an 85 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
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