Governor Hochul Announces Start of Construction on 76 Unit Affordable Housing Development in Yonkers

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of construction on 76 affordable apartments and commercial space in downtown Yonkers as part of the State’s efforts to expand housing opportunities near MTA transit hubs. Known as the St. Clair, the development will be subject to leading environmental standards as part of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Clean Energy Initiative – a key component of the Governor’s clean energy agenda.

“The St. Clair is proof that we can work hand-in-hand with our local partners to create housing that is affordable, sustainable, and that connects New Yorkers to jobs, to schools, to doctors, and to the services they need to thrive,” Governor Hochul said. “Our ongoing investment in Yonkers’ resurgence is allowing more people to take advantage of all this city has to offer, and it underscores our commitment to transit-oriented, strategic housing growth that strengthens communities and helps combat climate change.”

The St. Clair is also part of Governor Hochul's $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan that will create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

The development is a short walk to the MTA Metro North train station and the Westchester County Bee-Line Bus System, and will offer a fitness room, community room, and an outdoor roof deck.

The St. Clair was developed by MacQuesten Development, LLC. And will be affordable to households earning at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income.

State financing for $60 million development includes $8.4 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, $25.2 million in Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and $10.6 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The construction fulfilled the requirements of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's successful Brownfield Cleanup Program, which is expected to result in $9.7 million in tax credits issued by the New York State Department of Tax and Finance. The city of Yonkers awarded $1.1 million in HOME funds and the Westchester County Department of Planning awarded $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

In addition, the all-electric building was awarded $418,000 from NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Initiative, which is putting New York on the path to meeting the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s target of an 85 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The building includes renewable energy and energy efficient features such as all-electric appliances, including heat pumps for heating and cooling, weatherization to reduce heat loss, and low flow plumbing fixtures.

In the last five years, HCR has created or preserved 1,266 affordable homes in the city of Yonkers.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “The St. Clair is replacing a long vacant site in downtown Yonkers with an all-electric, mixed-use development that will reactivate the Main Street corridor with 76 new apartments and ground floor retail space. Future residents will enjoy a healthy living environment, easy access to train and bus transit, and great amenities. Proving again that affordable housing is a tremendous asset to families and communities, we congratulate MacQuesten Development and our local government partners for achieving this milestone.”

New York State Energy and Research Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is prioritizing investments in projects that ensure a high-quality of life for New Yorkers while moving us closer to ultimately eliminating the State’s carbon footprint. When completed, The St. Clair will demonstrate how healthier, affordable living spaces can enhance communities, increase tenant comfort, and help reduce harmful emissions for generations to come by incorporating weatherization and energy efficient features as well as all-electric appliances and electric heat pump heating and cooling systems.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “This is another example of DEC’s successful Brownfield Cleanup Program in action. These new housing units and commercial locations will provide safe, green, and affordable spaces for Yonkers residents and are another step forward under Governor Hochul's leadership to revitalize and clean up communities across the state.”

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “Every Yonkers resident deserves a safe and secure place to call home, and I am proud to see this substantial investment in affordable housing with the start of construction on the St. Clair in downtown Yonkers. By using over $25 million in federal Low Income Tax Credits, which I worked hard to secure, to create 76 new affordable accessible apartments for families in Yonkers, this new energy-efficient development will help our state’s most vulnerable residents live independently. I applaud Governor Hochul's commitment to increasing access to affordable housing in Yonkers and across New York State, and I will keep fighting to increase the supply of housing and create a more affordable and livable New York for all."

Representative Jamaal Bowman said, “In the face of a housing crisis in New York, we have to take this time to invest in quality, green, and affordable developments to ensure that working class families don’t have to make extraordinary sacrifices just to keep a roof over their heads. This project is an important step toward addressing the housing affordability crisis in Yonkers while also leading the way in our transition to clean energy. We can develop affordable housing and protect our planet at the same time, which is exactly what Governor Hochul’s development will do.”

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “I'm proud to have helped secure this funding, and to continue our commitment to advance affordable housing across New York State. I would like to thank Governor Hochul for continuing to invest in affordable housing across New York State and understanding the importance of our downtown communities. The St. Clair is an investment in our people and community that will help Yonkers thrive as we move towards a more transit-oriented future, while also meeting the aggressive clean energy goals we established in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.”

Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow said, “The construction and subsequent opening of The St. Clair in Yonkers will certainly be an investment that addresses the need for our low to moderate-income families to have access to safe and stable housing. I am pleased to support this project as it will play a role in reducing homelessness and supporting our most vulnerable populations.”

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “In Westchester County, we have made it a priority to help realize as many affordable housing units as possible to address the housing crisis we are all facing. This is a time for creative solutions and cooperative government efforts, to best serve the residents we have been elected to serve. We salute MacQuesten Development for their effective work in the affordable housing industry, and I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership in expanding housing opportunities throughout Westchester County, and the state.”

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said, “Yonkers continues to lead Westchester County in providing quality, low market rate housing that is equitable and inclusive,” stated Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “Thanks to the support of our federal and local partners, St. Clair adds to our growing housing stock with modern, accessible and sustainable amenities servicing our growing city. We look forward to welcoming new residents to our waterfront.”

CEO of MacQuesten Development LLC Rella Fogliano said, "I am grateful that MacQuesten Development was given another opportunity to partner with the state of New York, Westchester County, and the city of Yonkers on this significant affordable housing development. This project is the quintessential example of how public /private partnerships serve to strengthen the fabric of a community. I am also very proud of how MacQuesten has been a leader in transit-oriented development, clean energy initiatives and the use of renewables in our developments."