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09.29.2021
On the sunny afternoon of September 23rd, Westhab joined local elected officials and project partners to celebrate the opening of the Dayspring Campus, a multi-faceted project that includes a new affordable/supportive residence –Dayspring Commons- as well as a renovated community center in Nodine Hill, Yonkers.
Dayspring Commons provides 63 new affordable apartments, with 37 supportive units for formerly homeless families, including young adult parents with children and families with special needs.
After Westhab’s President and CEO Rich Nightingale opened the program, Mayor Mike Spano of the City of Yonkers spoke to the work of bringing more affordable housing to Yonkers, “We have taken the lead in Westchester County in providing affordable housing. We take the issue of providing for our families very seriously.”
New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, also spoke: “I am so proud to be part of a state legislature that is committed to making sure that people are housed with dignity and opportunity. People deserve to be supported. There is no better place to start than where you live.”
HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas followed stating, “We are delighted to see this $40 million investment and all it means for this community…We look forward to the next five year housing plan.”
Speakers also included Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Carola Bracco of Neighbors Link.
Dayspring Commons features a community room, a landscaped yard, laundry room, 24-hour security and free, covered parking. All apartments and common areas have Energy Star rated appliance, LED light fixtures, and water-saving fixtures for showers, sinks, and water closets.
All residents will have full access to the newly renovated Dayspring Community Center, created from the former Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, which will provide a range of services including comprehensive youth and adult education programs, year-round after school and summer youth programming, vocational training, and employment counseling, family programming and a food pantry, among other amenities.
Westhab will provide supportive services, including individual case management, employment counseling and mental health services, which will be funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) through NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
Dayspring Commons was funded by the National Housing Trust fund, with $7.1 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, federal low-income housing tax credits that generated $15.2 million in equity and $13.5 million in subsidy from HCR. Westhab also raised $5.3 million in donations to support renovations, operations and programs; the Westchester County New Homes Land Acquisition contributed over $1.7 million; and the City of Yonkers provided $160,000 in pre-development funds as well as $1 million for the renovation of the Dayspring Community Center.
The architect on the project is Aufgang Architects and the general contractor is J. Pilla Group.
Press coverage:
New, 62-unit affordable complex unveiled in Yonkers
Dayspring Commons building has opened in Yonkers
At Dayspring Commons, Yonkers sees the power of supportive housing
An early look inside Yonkers' new community center, affordable housing in Nodine Hill