Maloney gets grant for Astoria senior housing

Congressmember Carolyn Maloney recently announced a $400,000 grant to Hellenic-American Neighborhood Action Committee (HANAC), a non-profit community organization, to help build a 183-unit senior housing project in Astoria.
Astoria Federal Savings Bank sponsored the grant in conjunction with the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of New York, a regional arm of the FHLB.
“I’m delighted to be a part of today’s affordable housing award from the Federal Home Loan Bank and Astoria Federal,” Maloney said. “This federal investment in affordable senior housing will touch many lives and strengthen our neighborhood.”
Officials that assisted in planning the project, including HANAC Executive Director John P. Kateris, joined Maloney at the site located at the corner of Hoyt Avenue and 29th Street.
Construction of the 15-floor housing development for moderate and low-income seniors had been planned since early 2005, and will be completed by late fall 2008, according to officials.
Maloney also spoke about the need for affordable housing for seniors, particularly in her district.
“There is a tremendous need for this kind of building all over the city, but particularly here,” Maloney said. “I think this will help relieve some of the hardship some seniors are facing and give some seniors the chance to get a really great apartment in a great area.”
Kateris echoed Maloney’s sentiments regarding the project.
“It’s a great thing to say that by the fall of next year nearly 200 seniors will have a decent place to call home at the George T. Douris Tower,” he said.
Many local seniors attended the check presentation, some of whom hoped to move into the building when it opens.
““I’m here to see the project get started, then hopefully when it’s finished I’ll be able to move in because where I live now it’s on the fourth floor,” said Dominick Fucile, a senior that lives in the area. “I’m not able to go up and downstairs like I would like. A nice new place would be just great for me.”
Apartment applications will be available to seniors in the community six months prior to the building’s opening. The grant money will be used to fund construction of the 15-story building. Nineteen of the units will be set aside for elderly persons that were homeless.
The building will be designed to accommodate persons with disabilities and will incorporate green construction technologies into the design. On-site social services will be available to residents that need help with referral services and tenants with special needs. There will also be a health care facility next to the complex.