Governor Hochul Announces Completion of 83-Unit Affordable and Su...

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of El Hogar Residence, a $60 million affordable and supportive housing development at 2444 Tiebout Avenue in the Bronx. Developed by nonprofit organization Comunilife, the newly constructed 10-story building includes 83 affordable apartments for older adults, including 50 supportive homes for New York seniors that were experiencing homelessness. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) has created or preserved over 11,000 affordable homes in the Bronx. El Hogar Residence continues this effort and is part of the Governor's $25 billion five-year Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

"Every New Yorker deserves the security of a safe, affordable place to live, including the seniors who have spent their lives contributing to our communities," Governor Hochul said. "El Hogar Residence will provide older New Yorkers with high-quality, affordable homes and the supportive services they need to live independently and with dignity. Projects like this are central to our efforts to make New York more affordable, prevent homelessness and ensure that New Yorkers can age safely in the communities of their choice."

The 50 supportive apartments are reserved for formerly homeless seniors who will receive on-site services provided by Comunilife, including case management, recreational programming, health services, and connections to community-based resources. Rental and operating subsidies for the supportive apartments are funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI). All of the units are available to households earning up to 40 percent of the Area Median Income.

El Hogar Residence is an all-electric building with high-performance heating, cooling, and domestic hot water systems. Appliances meet or exceed Energy Star standards, and the development incorporates energy-efficient lighting and other sustainable building features designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities certification requirements.

The new building includes a community room with a kitchen and computer area, office space for supportive service staff, resident recreation areas, a bike room, tenant storage, laundry facilities, and landscaped outdoor space. Residents also receive free broadband internet access in their apartments and throughout the building's common areas.

The development was built on land purchased from SBH Health System and designed with accessibility, health, and aging in place as central priorities. Several apartments are fully accessible and adapted for residents with mobility impairments, while additional units are equipped for residents with hearing and visual impairments.

Financing includes a mix of public and private sources, including Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from HCR that are expected to generate more than $19 million in equity. The project also benefits from more than $11 million in HCR subsidy, $5.9 million from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP), and $6 million in ESSHI funding from the Department of Health (DOH). Additional financing included $11.6 million from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development and $700,000 in New York City RESO A funding.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "El Hogar Residence demonstrates how affordable housing can provide so much more than a place to live. These beautiful new homes will give the older adults who move in the stability, dignity and support they need to both remain independent and be connected to the surrounding community. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, we are making the investments necessary to expand our housing supply while ensuring that seniors and vulnerable residents have the resources they need to thrive."

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, "Thanks to Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State has continued to invest in expanding the supply of permanent supportive housing across the state, recognizing its power to change lives and strengthen communities. Older adults who have experienced homelessness will have not only a safe, stable, and affordable home at El Hogar Residence, but easy access to supportive services. Congratulations to Comunilife and our state and local partners on the completion of these essential homes."

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "I thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to expanding access to affordable housing and creating conditions that allow New Yorkers to live healthier, more independent lives. This meaningful investment in healthy aging provides residents with a place to call home and supportive services. Quality resources and stable housing lead to healthier people and communities."

State Senator Gustavo Rivera said, "In this time of uncertainty and extreme cost of living, this new development for seniors is welcome. The completion of El Hogar Residence will provide supportive homes for formerly unhoused older adults and affordable apartments for seniors. Thanks to Governor Hochul's investment in the Bronx, this development will give low-income residents in my district the opportunity to live a dignified and stable life, especially later in life, after so many have spent decades struggling to make ends meet."

Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia said, "The El Hogar development is exactly the kind of investment our seniors deserve so that they can live with dignity. Fifty of these homes will go to formerly homeless frail elderly New Yorkers who too often are left without stable housing options. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Comunilife, and our state and city partners for this investment in our community."

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said, "Today, we celebrate the importance of creating communities where everyone can age with dignity, comfort, and security. Once El Hogar Residence opens its doors, it will provide stability for many seniors who have helped shape this neighborhood, allowing them to age in place while living independently and staying connected to their community. I am proud to have allocated funding for this project that will restore hope and opportunity for our seen-agers and help ensure our residents can afford to not only live in the Bronx but also stay in the Bronx. A special thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and Council Member Oswald Feliz for their support of the El Hogar Residence and commitment to fighting for our older adults to have access to safe, affordable, and quality housing in our borough."

New York City Council Member Oswald Feliz said, "Today, we celebrate an important investment in ensuring that our older adults can age with dignity, comfort, and security. Once El Hogar Residence opens its doors, it will provide safe, affordable housing and much-needed stability for seniors who have helped build and strengthen our community. This project will allow older adults to live independently, remain connected to their neighbors, and continue calling the Bronx home. I extend my sincere thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and all our partners for their commitment to El Hogar Residence and to expanding quality affordable housing for older New Yorkers."

Governor Hochul's Housing Agenda

Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York's housing crisis and making the State more affordable and livable for all New Yorkers. Since FY23, the Governor has worked to increase housing supply to make housing more affordable by launching a $25 billion five-year comprehensive Housing Plan, enacted the most significant housing deal in decades and implemented new protections for renters and homeowners. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, HCR has created new programs that jumpstart development of affordable and mixed-income homes - for both renters and homebuyers. These include the Pro-Housing Community Program, which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. More than 450 communities throughout the state have been certified Pro-Housing, including New York City.

As part of the FY27 Budget, Governor Hochul secured a number of landmark reforms to New York's State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to speed up housing and infrastructure development and lower costs as part of her "Let Them Build" agenda. "Let Them Build" also includes executive actions to expedite critical categories of projects that have been consistently found to not have significant environmental impacts, but for too long have been caught up in red tape and subject to lengthy delays.