Watch the full press conference.
Delivering on his promise to make Westchester County a fair and affordable place to live for all residents and families, Westchester County Executive George Latimer cut the ribbon on the Mayfair Apartments in Greenburgh. The property, formerly known as the WestHELP Greenburgh Homeless Shelter on the Westchester Community College Campus built in the 1980’s, has been repurposed into 74 units of affordable rental housing for seniors aged 62 and older. The project transformed long-vacant buildings once used as transitional housing for homeless families, into 60 one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom, and six studio apartments for residents with low and moderate incomes.
Latimer said: “The Mayfair Apartments are one more instance of the County seeing the potential in an underdeveloped, underused property, and transforming it into something that will pay dividends in the community that it serves. Creating fair and affordable housing opportunities has been a keystone of my administration – it is something we strongly believe in. We know that our residents are not fleeing Westchester, and we want to see them living happily and comfortably in the place they have always called home. After years of discussions between the County, the developers, the town of Greenburgh, the Valhalla School District and the Board of Legislators, we can finally see this long-awaited project come to fruition.”
The six-acre site includes nine buildings; six of the residential buildings have been connected with community rooms and elevators to make the second floor more accessible for the seniors. The administration building will be the last building on the site to be rehabilitated. There is easy access to nearby recreation, shopping, transportation and the public school district, with the Greenburgh Recreation Department maintaining several parks, a pool, sports programs, and communitywide events. The development is on Westchester Community College’s campus, where residents have access to programs devoted to adult learning, enrichment and growth.
Mayfair Housing offers on-site laundry rooms in each building, a community room and a computer lounge. The property was also renovated to include a number of ‘green’ features including:
- Energy Star Certification under Low-Rise New Construction Program
- Solar panels
- Rigid insulation for the exterior walls and foundation, and additional insulation in the attic which brings the total insulation level to approximately R-49
- LED lighting throughout the complex
- High-efficiency hydronic PTAC units to provide heating and cooling for each apartment
- Water-conserving fixtures
- Native and non-invasive landscaping
State financing for the $17 million development includes $11.3 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. Supportive services for 20 supportive units set aside for homeless single adults over the age of 62 are funded through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health.
HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said: “The state’s investment in Mayfair Apartments furthers our mission to expand and preserve affordable housing opportunities for seniors, especially in high-cost areas like Westchester County. The transformation of this property from a Single Room Occupancy transitional facility to a permanent living community with 74 spacious apartments will benefit the town of Greenburgh and all the residents who now call Mayfair Apartments home. We are grateful to Marathon Development and Westchester County for their partnership in making this important project a reality.”
Developer Mark Soja of Marathon Development Group said: “The financial assistance of New York State Housing Finance Agency along with the support of County Executive Latimer, the County Legislators and the Town of Greenburgh were instrumental in the conversion of the former Westhelp site into quality, affordable housing for families aged 62 and over. Mayfair Apartments will provide low and moderate income senior citizens with a modern affordable community they are proud to call home.”
Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Planning Norma Drummond said: “The County is delivering on its commitment to provide this site for affordable senior housing and with more units than originally expected. We are very happy that 74 senior households can now call this beautiful community home.”
Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said: “Members of the Greenburgh Town Board and I are pleased to have partnered with Westchester County Executive George Latimer to convert an abandoned homeless shelter into much needed affordable senior citizen housing. The lucky seniors who live here will be able to take advantage of Greenburgh programs and services and be within walking distance to the Westchester Community College where they can take courses and participate in inter-generational learning. A beautiful new apartment complex in a safe and beautiful location.”
Legislator Margaret Cunzio said: “I am very excited to see this project coming to its completed stage. There is a need for senior housing, and this initiative provides an enhanced quality of life to many seniors in Greenburgh and Westchester County. I want to thank everyone involved who worked together in a non-partisan fashion to help this bring this project to fruition, including County Executive George Latimer, my colleagues at the BOL, the Greenburgh Town Board and the Valhalla School District. This project provides housing for seniors, while not overwhelming the Valhalla School District.”
Legislator MaryJane Shimsky said: “The WestHelp site has had a long tradition of providing housing to vulnerable members of our communities. In a County where homes are so expensive and in such short supply, allowing that site to go fallow in 2011 was one of the more shameful County actions of the decade. I am very happy, and frankly relieved, that this location is now ready to house our residents again. Thanks and congratulations go to the Latimer Administration, the Greenburgh Town Board, Marathon Development and all who helped bring this day to pass.”
Legislator Alfreda Williams said: “This has been a long time coming. I am delighted that we found a way to provide so much needed additional affordable housing for seniors. The transformation of this once deteriorated space will serve a critical need, helping seniors remain in their community. But it also will stand as a testament to work we can do when government, community leadership and the private sector are committed to working cooperatively to address real human needs.”