Construction has commenced on a new affordable housing development, Silver Gardens, for older residents in the Ulster County town of Lloyd, New York, US.
The $22m project is designed for individuals aged 62 years and above, or below 60% of the area median income.
It will offer 57 one-bedroom apartments, with 29 units allocated for older residents experiencing homelessness.
In recent years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal is noted to have contributed to the region's affordable housing sector, creating or preserving more than 600 homes in Ulster County.
Silver Gardens is part of New York Governor Kathy Hochul's overarching $25bn Housing Plan.
This plan aims to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across the state, including homes for groups deemed vulnerable and initiatives for home electrification.
Hochul said: “Safe, affordable housing is not a privilege, it’s a right. Yet far too many older New Yorkers struggle to find housing in the communities they call home.
“Silver Gardens creates opportunities for more seniors in the Hudson Valley to age comfortably in a modern, sustainable and healthy home with direct access to the services they need to thrive.”
The latest development will feature a three-storey building with all-electric amenities, including geothermal energy systems and ENERGY STAR appliances.
Additional facilities will comprise a community room, laundry, computer lab, and high-speed broadband, as well as proximity to Franny Reese State Park.
The project is targeting Enterprise Green Communities Plus and US Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home certifications.
RUPCO, alongside Girondini as co-developer, is spearheading the project.
Girondini principal Richard Gerentine said: “Silver Gardens signifies more than just affordable housing; it embodies a beacon of hope and dignity for our seniors. Beyond shelter, the site's prime location and supportive services will help create a nurturing community where residents can truly thrive.
“We're thrilled to collaborate with RUPCO to bring this vital project to life, ensuring our seniors have the supportive and enriching environment they deserve.”
The project has secured state financing through various sources.
This includes $10.5m in Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and a $7.1m subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
Additional funding includes a Clean Energy Initiative grant of $427,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and $1.4m in permanent financing from the Community Preservation Corporation.
Ulster County is also contributing $600,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the initiative.