Three New York State Housing Agency Developments Selected Among Nation's Best

ALBANY, NY (08/24/2010)(readMedia)-- Three developments financed by New York State's housing agencies, The Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) and "nyhomes," have been named finalists in Affordable Housing Finances' sixth annual Reader's Choice Awards, serving as models for developments across the country. The 33 projects chosen among 140 nominations were selected based on community impact, cost-effective or innovative design or construction, and energy-efficient and sustainable development.

Brian Lawlor, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and CEO/President of nyhomes said, "These projects showcase some of the best work being in affordable housing and the impact it has on communities and quality of life. We are proud to have three projects selected as finalists for this award. The newly integrated State housing agencies are working to assure our programs are strategically aligned and targeted around the state so that more families have access to quality affordable housing that makes a difference in lives and in entire communities."

New York Housing Agency finalists are:

• Atlantic Avenue Residence, Brooklyn, NY. Category: Urban. The Atlantic Avenue condominiums are among 107 units of affordable homeownership housing that have been developed with $3.55 million in Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) grants in partnership with Habitat for Humanity NYC. AHC's Atlantic Avenue grant was awarded to Habitat-NYC through its partnership with the Housing Partnership Development Corporation. The 53,000 square-foot multi-family complex on Sherlock Place in Ocean Hill-Brownsville, Brooklyn consists of 41 one, two, and three-bedroom condos for homeowners who earn between 45%-80% of the city's area median income.

• Nelson Hopkins Apartments, the Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired, Lockport, NY. Category: Special Needs. The two-story, 24-unit apartment complex will offer housing for those with visual impairments or physical disabilities. The complex is located at 5562 Davison Road in the Ulrich Business Park, south of Lincoln Avenue in the Town of Lockport. The project was rescued with nearly $3 million in federal stimulus funds from the Tax Credit Assistance Program.

• Birches at Esopus, Esopus, NY. Category: Seniors. Birches at Esopus is the first affordable housing community for senior citizens in the Town of Esopus in Ulster County. The development provides 80 energy-efficient apartments for low-income senior citizens. Units are accessible to people with disabilities and the development includes outdoor and community space, craft and media rooms, an exercise studio, and an on-site Nurse Is In program, which provides services like physical and speech therapy, health and wellness programs, and health aides.

Winners will be announced at the 2010 Affordable Housing Developer's Summit in November in Chicago.