Categories: New York City, Member News, Groundbreakings
09.21.2023
On Wednesday, September 20th, Breaking Ground joined project partners and elected and government officials to break ground on affordable/supportive housing residence, Sutphin Senior Housing. When complete, Sutphin Senior Housing will create 173 new affordable apartments, including 52 supportive for seniors, in Jamaica, Queens. On-site services will be provided by Breaking Ground funded by NYC 15/15 through New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH).
Breaking Ground President and CEO, Brenda Rosen, who emceed the program, kicked off the groundbreaking stating, “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.”
“Building new affordable and supportive housing is critical to addressing New York’s dire housing crisis and rising homelessness that impacts every community,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Supportive housing is a key solution to supporting residents who are experiencing chronic homelessness and serious mental illness, so it is crucial that we create even more units that serve New Yorkers.”
“Our seniors deserve affordable, high-quality housing that also offers the services they need to not just survive, but thrive. Today’s groundbreaking delivers exactly that,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr.
"The 173 affordable apartments that will soon be available at Sutphin Senior will be nothing short of life changing for future residents,” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYS HCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “With the inclusion of a 15,000-square-foot clinic offering medical and psychiatric care, and a highly energy-efficient, all-electric design, this health-focused development will have a positive impact on the wellbeing of all who call Jamaica home.”
“Housing remains the most essential social determinant of good health outcomes,” said Bob M. Hayes, President and CEO of Community Healthcare Network. “Affordable housing, combined with quality healthcare, improves lives and saves lives.”
Remarks were also provided by: Brenda McAtee, New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (NYS OTDA); Emily Lehman, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (NYC HPD); Reverend Patrick O’Connor, First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica; and Ross Clarke, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH).
Sutphin Senior Residence building amenities include, a 24-hour attended lobby, state of the art security systems, a laundry room, exercise room, and multipurpose room, and a landscaped courtyard. The building also is constructed to the latest standards for Passive Housing certification and will be powered by all-electric mechanical systems. Along the corner of the residence, there will be a 15,000 square foot Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) clinic that will serve tenants and the community operated by the Community Healthcare Network.
Funding for Sutphin Senior Housing is provided by NYC HPD’s Senior Affordable Rental Apartments (SARA) program, New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) 4% Low Income Tax Credits, and NYS OTDA Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP).
The architect is Bernheimer Architecture and the General Contractor is Monadnock Construction.