1490 Southern Boulevard. Image Credit: NYC HPD.

The building features multiple green spaces for seniors. On September 29, 2021, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced the ribbon cutting of a new 100 percent affordable senior housing development at 1490 Southern Boulevard in the Crotona Park East section of the Bronx. The site was previously a vacant lot.

The building features 114 units of senior housing set at up to 50 percent Area Median Income. Thirty percent of the units are set aside for formerly homeless seniors and one unit is set aside for a superintendent. The building also features a large second floor garden, a fitness center, laundry facilities, a 2,500 square foot landscaped and furnished terrace with city views, and 3,600 square feet of community and social service space for residents. 

The project is a collaboration between Type A Real Estate Advisors (Type A), a Women-Owned Business Enterprise developer, and JASA, a social services agency that works with seniors and serves as the largest manager of senior housing in New York City. The collaboration is another partnership between non-profits and developers to provide affordable housing for seniors. The building was designed by Bernheimer Architects. 

HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll stated, “1490 Southern Boulevard is the first development selected from HPD’s M/WBE Building Opportunity RFP to open its doors. What was once a vacant lot is now 114 affordable homes for low-income seniors, including those who have experienced homelessness. HPD is proud to partner with Type A and JASA on this project, and we remain committed to expanding the participation of M/WBEs and nonprofits in the affordable housing industry.”

By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)