by Dr. Daniel Honore
After years of planning, Northeastern Conference Officers have secured financing to build 159 units of affordable senior citizen housing adjacent to the existing 12-story 110 unit Northeastern Towers. The closing took place in Manhattan on Tuesday, June 26th. The new annex will include a ten story tower composed of studio and one-bedroom apartments. The two towers will be connected through a community and recreation center. Construction for the $90 Million projected is slated to begin in August 2018 and end in June 2020.
Northeastern Conference House Inc. was founded in the 1980’s by the Northeastern Conference to create affordable housing opportunities for Adventist senior citizens in need. Currently there exists a 5-year waiting list for seniors who apply for a unit. Given the federal subsidies received, the Towers is open to all eligible seniors who apply regardless of religious affiliation.
The backlog and scarcity of units prompted the current conference administration to develop plans for a second tower that will provide 159 new units. The planning process required approval of Community Board 12, New York Planning Commission and the Zoning Sub-Committee of the New York City Council. Financing for the new project was obtained mostly through tax credits backed by the City of New York, New York State and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. A formal groundbreaking ceremony will take place in August.