New Rochelle's affordable senior apartments open officially

Forty energy-effecient, affordable apartments meant to relieve financial pressures on resident senior citizens and allow them to continue living in Westchester County officially opened Tuesday in New Rochelle.

In announcing the opening, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said in a news release, "The state-of-the art Shiloh Senior Apartments will offer high-quality homes for the elderly in one of the costliest parts of the state -- allowing seniors to stay in the community they call home, live independently and add to Westchester's economic vitality."

The state invested $10 million in tax credits, bonds and grants in the project through the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), and partnered with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City of New Rochelle, Westhab, Inc. and Shiloh Community Development Corp. to build the apartments.

In addition to the HFA credits and subsidies, the financing includes $7 million from HUD's Section 202 program. The City of New Rochelle also provided $1.6 million in HOME funds.

The Shiloh Senior Apartments building is equipped with smart technology including computer optimized control of exhaust fans, common areas and lights, as well as high efficiency elevators and low-flow kitchen and bath fixtures.

Amenities include individually controlled heat and air conditioning, air conditioned common areas, a community room, an exercise room, tenant laundry and a lounge on each floor, on-site support services and free transportation for shopping, outdoor passive recreation and a gazebo.

Rents are set at 30 percent of each tenant's income, and eligible tenants must earn less than 50 percent of the Area Median Income. Completed on Dec. 31, the complex was fully occupied by Jan. 11.

The co-developers are Shiloh Community Development Corporation, a subsidiary of Shiloh Baptist Church, and Westhab, Inc., Westchester's largest non-profit provider of housing.

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson said, "This development represents an outstanding example of collaboration between government and the non-profit sector to provide quality, affordable housing for our community's seniors, while making a positive contribution to the neighborhood in which it is built. We are pleased to have been able to support such a project."

Bob Millier, president and chief executive of Westhab, Inc. said, "Westhab thanks Gov. Cuomo, even in these time of fiscal constraints, for his continued leadership to insure that there are adequate resources to house New Yorkers of all incomes and needs."