The Homes and Community Renewal Connection

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Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams Announce Completion of $62 Million Affordable Housing Development in the Bronx

The $62 million El Borinquen Residence in the Morrisania section of the Bronx is now complete. Developed by Comunilife, the building features 148 new affordable apartments, including 90 with on-site supportive services for people experiencing homelessness and 29 homes reserved for seniors.

"Affordable and supportive housing is a fundamental component to addressing homelessness across the state," Governor Hochul said. "Building on the successful opening of the El Borinquen Residence, my administration is implementing our $25 billion, five-year housing plan that will allow us to continue to make important investments in communities like the Bronx. By increasing the supply of high-quality inclusive housing, we can ensure that New Yorkers have not only an affordable place to call home, but also access to the supportive services they need to thrive."

CPC Selected to Administer $250 Million Climate Friendly Homes Fund

The $250 million Climate Friendly Homes Fund is part of Governor Hochul's strategy to curb building emissions and establish two million climate-friendly, electrified, or electrification-ready homes by 2030.

The Community Preservation Corporation, a leading New York-based nonprofit housing and community revitalization finance company, was selected to administer the program.

Through the CFHF, awards will be made to owners of multifamily buildings with five to fifty apartments and can be used to cover the costs of retrofits and upgrades to improve energy efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. The funding focuses on replacing older and less energy-efficient systems with all-electric, high-performance heating, cooling, and hot water heating systems.

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Governor Hochul Proclaims October Energy Awareness Month

Governor Hochul proclaimed October Energy Awareness Month and October 30th Weatherization Day. New York State has made the fight against climate change a top priority, and in 2019, we established the most aggressive clean energy and climate plan in the country through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Through our Sustainability Guidelines and the Clean Energy Initiative, we are reducing carbon emissions from the developments that we finance; our successful Weatherization Assistance Program helps New Yorkers improve energy efficiency in their homes; and our new Climate Friendly Homes Fund will deliver $250 million to help building owners electrify or partially electrify 10,000 homes across the state.

Development Highlights

HCR participated in nearly a dozen events over the last two months celebrating affordable housing and community revitalization projects across the state. Read below for some highlights.

Canal Commons in Rochester

The $64 million Canal Commons converts a historic shoe factory in Rochester's Susan B. Anthony neighborhood into 123 affordable and supportive apartments. Commissioner Visnauskas was on hand to break ground on this transformative development that will help turn a former industrial area into a vibrant live/work community.

11 Park Drive Apartments in Wyandanch

Commissioner Visnauskas celebrated the opening of a $40 million development in the Suffolk County hamlet of Wyandanch that features 94 apartments for seniors and is the fourth phase of development at Wyandanch Village, a 40-acre parcel of land adjacent to the Wyandanch Long Island Railroad station and now home to 395 apartments.

La Mora Senior Apartments in Yonkers

Commissioner Visnauskas broke ground on a $44 million development that will create 60 affordable apartments for seniors in South Yonkers. The development replaces a blighted property with a sustainable and highly energy-efficient building.

Legacy City ACCESS Project in Kingston

New York's first Legacy City ACCESS project is now underway in Kingston. Four vacant and distressed single-family properties will be renovated by the Kingston City Land Bank and made available for purchase to first-time homebuyers.

Lock 7 Apartments in Oswego

The $26 million development features 80 affordable apartments, including 40 units reserved for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The building is the third state-funded affordable housing development in Oswego to open this year.

Capital Walls in Albany

Albany’s Capital Walls project, funded through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, has beautified Clinton Square with four new murals, while celebrating the city’s diversity and cultural history for the benefit of residents and visitors.

HCR’s Tenant Protection Unit Stops Bad Landlord From Harassing Tenants

HCR recently announced a settlement with Greg Fournier and his real estate company, Greenbrook Holdings, LLC, for harassing tenants and engaging in unlawful practices in managing its buildings in Brooklyn.

Tenants in Greenbook’s 188 buildings, many of which are rent-stabilized, were subjected to dangerous living conditions such as illegal construction and frequent interruption of essential services like gas and water.

As a result of the settlement, Fournier and Greenbrook will pay penalties to NYC and certain tenants, are required to hire external monitors to oversee construction activity and compliance, and must correct hundreds of violations across 22 of the most egregiously managed buildings within 60 days of signing.

Commissioner Visnauskas offered special thanks to HCR’s Tenant Protection Unit for their work on the case, notably Legal Director Argyro Boyle and Senior Attorney Jonathan O. Hurt, who served as the investigating attorneys, and TPU Deputy Commissioner Pavita Krishnaswamy. Commissioner Visnauskas also thanked fellow members of the Tenant Harassment Prevention Task Force for their ongoing partnership and collaboration in fighting for New York's tenants.

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