A planned affordable and supportive housing project on city-owned land in Manhattan's East Harlem neighbourhood has recently been increased by 62 units. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) filed plans on Friday for the rezoning of the block around 22 East 119th Street. The proposed changes are intended to enable a residential project comprising three buildings with a total of 762 units. PincusCo first reported on the filing.
The site is currently occupied by a six-storey building with 174 single room occupancy units, where Volunteers of America–Greater New York provides supportive housing for formerly homeless, single adults, many of whom are veterans. In accordance with city policy that avoids 'spot zoning' of individual tax lots, the rezoning application would affect the entire block in East Harlem, situated between East 118th and East 119th Street, and Madison and Fifth Avenue.
Securing Affordable Housing
In addition to designating the site as an urban renewal area and disposing of city-owned property, HPD's proposed changes would label the block as a 'Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Area'. This ensures that affordable housing is incorporated into all future redevelopment of the block's private buildings.
An earlier version of the project, sponsored by the non-profit organisation Volunteers of America–Greater New York, envisioned 700 units across two buildings. These plans included a 23-storey tower for supportive housing and a 25-storey tower for affordable housing. Community facilities and commercial spaces for the non-profit organisation were also integrated, with funding sought through HPD and the New York City Housing Development Corporation.
Unclear Impact on Timelines
Accompanying land use documents for the latest proposal at 22 East 119th Street are not currently available. The changes to the construction plans and their impact on surrounding buildings or project timelines remain unclear. Spokespersons for HPD and Volunteers of America–Greater New York have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the new filing.
The 762-unit project is only a few minutes' walk from 101 East 118th Street, another city-owned site where a significant residential development project is already underway. The upcoming development, Timbale Terrace, will be 20 storeys high and offer 341 units of affordable housing. The US$225 million project is being developed by the non-profit Lantern Organization in collaboration with HPD.
