Press Release

Print icon Print

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2018

CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov | (212) 306-3322

 

NYCHA AND HPD RELEASE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP

A NEW MIXED-INCOME BUILDING AT LA GUARDIA HOUSES

 

As part of NYCHA’s NextGeneration Neighborhoods initiative, revenue generated from this new construction will help NYCHA address critically needed repairs

 

Informed by an extensive resident engagement process of canvassing, meetings, and visioning workshops, the Community Visioning document included in the RFP reflects the resident’s preferences and concerns

 

NEW YORK – Today, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of new mixed-income housing at La Guardia Houses on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. As part of NYCHA’s NextGeneration Neighborhoods initiative, the project will include 50 percent affordable and 50 percent market-rate units. The revenue generated from the market-rate units in the new development will be reinvested back into La Guardia Houses and other developments across NYCHA’s portfolio.

“NextGen Neighborhoods at LaGuardia Houses is a clear example of the steps we are taking to reinvest in our buildings and our communities,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “After extensive resident engagement focused on resident priorities and concerns, we will deliver long overdue repairs to LaGuardia Houses while creating much-needed affordable housing.”

“Any time underused land can be transformed to benefit New Yorkers by creating new affordable housing opportunities is a victory,” said HPD Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer. “I applaud NYCHA for taking this dual approach that will provide affordable opportunities for new residents while simultaneously benefitting their current residents with new income for capital improvements. We look forward to reviewing proposal submissions for a new addition to this NYCHA campus.”

The City invites developers, including non-profit entities and M/WBE firms, to submit proposals for the design, financing, construction, and operation of a new residential development on NYCHA grounds. The development will also include a community facility that will be accessible to La Guardia residents.

Prior to the release of the RFP, NYCHA led an extensive resident engagement process that included six resident meetings and two interactive Community Visioning sessions during the summer and fall of 2017. The recommendations from the Community Visioning sessions, which were held in English, Spanish and Chinese, helped shape the RFP and determine priorities for capital repairs in La Guardia Houses and the La Guardia Addition. Capital improvements will occur concurrently with the construction of the new building. Preference will be given to proposals that align with resident recommendations.

Key recommendations from the Community Visioning sessions include:

  • The creation of a flexible, multi-purpose community space that serves the greater Lower East Side community;
  • Community programming to address the lack of affordable food access in the neighborhood;
  • Affordable family-sized apartments for households that align with the income levels of the Lower East Side;
  • Precautionary measures to limit environmental impacts during and after construction; and
  • Improvement to the safety, security, and accessibility of the immediate surroundings.

The selected development team will build and operate the new building under a ground lease, while NYCHA maintains ownership of the land. Preference will be given to NYCHA residents for 25 percent of the affordable apartments in the newly constructed building.

NYCHA is deeply committed to minimizing any impact to residents of La Guardia Houses. No NYCHA residents will be moved from their homes or see changes in their rents. Additionally, current NYCHA parking permit holders affected by the construction of the new building will maintain their parking spaces elsewhere within the development.

The selected development team will maintain a public engagement process to keep La Guardia residents informed of development plans throughout the process. The development team will also work with NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability to connect NYCHA residents to job opportunities generated by the new building before construction begins.

The RFP submission period will run from March 1 through June 1, 2018. Proposals are due by hand on June 1, 2018, no later than 2pm. The RFP can be accessed at the NYCHA and HPD websites.

###

 

About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

NYCHA’s mission is to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. 400,000 New Yorkers reside in NYCHA’s 325 public housing developments around the five boroughs, and another 235,000 receive subsidized rental assistance in private homes through the NYCHA-administered Section 8 Leased Housing Program. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/nycha, and for regular updates on NYCHA news and services, connect with us via www.facebook.com/NYCHA and www.twitter.com/NYCHA.

About the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)

HPD is the nation’s largest municipal housing preservation and development agency. Its mission is to promote quality housing and diverse, thriving neighborhoods for New Yorkers through loan and development programs for new affordable housing, preservation of the affordability of the existing housing stock, enforcement of housing quality standards, and educational programs for tenants and building owners. HPD is tasked with fulfilling Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York Plan, which was recently expanded and accelerated through Housing New York 2.0 to complete the initial goal of 200,000 homes two years ahead of schedule—by 2022, and achieve an additional 100,000 homes over the following four years, for a total of 300,000 homes by 2026. For full details visit www.nyc.gov/hpd and for regular updates on HPD news and services, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @NYCHousing.