NEW YORK CITY—A development team led by Jonathan Rose Cos.—and including L+M Development Partners and several community partners—have been tapped to build a new, 655-unit, 100% affordable housing project in East Harlem. The property will sit on the SustaiNYC development site on East 111th Street.

The selected development proposal will become the largest passive house in the nation. It will be a mixed-use, sustainable development that will bring 655 affordable apartments to the East Harlem community. As a result of Mandatory Inclusionary Housing rules, 163 of the total 655 affordable apartments will be permanently affordable.

Over 20% of the apartments will serve extremely low-income households earning a maximum of $19,050 for an individual and $24,480 for a household of three. The development plan offers deeper affordability by guaranteeing sixty percent of the apartments will serve low-income households with an individual earning no more than $38,100 and a household of three earning no more than $48,960 annually.

The remaining units will be affordable to middle-income households earning up to $82,550 for an individual and $106,080 for a household of three.

In addition to 100% affordable housing, the development will include a new, 85,000-square-foot charter school; an 11,000-square-foot community space; a new, 29,000-square-foot YMCA; a 7,500-square-foot grocery store along Madison Avenue and a Two Boots pizza shop meant to provide job opportunities.

“Today we move forward with a plan for a dynamic, mixed-use development that will provide affordable homes, job opportunities, and vibrancy to the East Harlem community,” says NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development commissioner Maria Torres-Springer. “With over 650 affordable apartments, including housing for seniors and the lowest income New Yorkers, space for a school, retail, community organizations, and public gardens, this proposal speaks to many of the priorities identified by the community for the site.”

Adds Housing Development Corp. president Eric Enderlin, “This multi-faceted, passive house development in East Harlem will bring much-needed affordable housing to the community, while adding to the fabric of the neighborhood and the sustainability of our city.”

“This development site represents a tremendous opportunity for the El Barrio/East Harlem community,” notes NY City Council speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “I look forward to reviewing this project in the coming months and to working with the development team, the administration and the community to ensure that it meets the goals outlined in the East Harlem Neighborhood Plan.”

This city-block sized development will significantly advance the goals of Mayor de Blasio's One City: Built to Last, which set out to reduce energy use in the city. Passive House is a building standard that significantly reduces a building's energy consumption. This development is expected to use 60-70% less energy than a standard building of its kind. The development design will also integrate four existing community gardens in an effort to promote green spaces and activity, as well as preserve an important community resource.

“We and our community partners are so pleased to be have been selected to develop a comprehensive model of a community of opportunity in East Harlem, integrating green affordable and mixed income housing, community based health care, superb education, senior services, recreation, community gardens, and neighborhood serving retail,” declares Jonathan F.P. Rose , president, Jonathan Rose Cos.

“Along with Jonathan Rose Companies and our community partners, we look forward to bringing more affordable housing and a mix of neighborhood-focused uses, including educational, recreational and social services to East Harlem,” adds Ron Moelis, CEO and co-founder of L+M Development Partners. “Our vision is one that combines mixed-income and senior housing, with green design and a new emphasis on health and wellness for residents and the wider community.”

The remaining units will be affordable to middle-income households earning up to $82,550 for an individual and $106,080 for a household of three.

Instant Insights /

Two Developers Named to Build Affordable Housing Complex

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