January 23, 2007

COUNTY BOARD OKS $4.2 MILLION FOR
140 YONKERS AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS

---Board Chair Ryan says County “determined”
to meet housing challenge---

Contact: Betsy DeSoye
Director of Communications
(914) 995-3277

Two Yonkers affordable housing developments, part of the Ashburton Avenue Urban Renewal Plan, got a big boost last night when Westchester’s Board of Legislators approved $4.2 million for infrastructure improvements. Of that money, $3,190,000 will help create 80 affordable senior citizen rental units—the Ashburton Avenue Apartments—and $1,010,000 will help create 60 workforce housing units—the Croton Heights Apartments.

“Finding decent, affordable housing is a tremendous challenge in Westchester and we have to work harder than ever to bridge the means gap,” said Board Chair Bill Ryan (D,I,WF-White Plains). “These projects demonstrate that County government is determined to take advantage of any and all available opportunities to financially support local municipal efforts to bring affordable units on line.”

The money comes from the County’s Housing Implementation Fund which facilitates building affordable housing by funding a portion of such infrastructure costs as curbing, paving, lighting, sewers, water and storm drainage systems, grading and landscaping. A developer, in turn, can offer the housing at a reduced rate.

Ryan noted that last year, because of County efforts, 280 new affordable housing units were completed, 576 were under construction and 326 were approved.