Sunnyside Gets Info On Hunters Point Apts.
Hundreds turned out at Sunnyside Community Services on Monday, Sept. 29, to learn if they are eligible for an apartment at the Hunters Point South development.
The affordable housing forum, hosted by City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, provided details on eligibility and how to apply for one of the 925 apartments to open this spring. Hunters Point South will consist of three separate development parcels of about 5,000 total units, according to Frank Monterisi, senior vice president of Related Companies.
“This really is the best apartment deal in New York City,” he said.
Reflecting that sentiment, every table and chair in the room was occupied, prompting Community Board 2 Chairperson Joe Conley to rhetorically remark before the forum began, “You think there is an interest in affordable housing?”
Many attendees were left to stand at the periphery, and some were even turned away as the room was already filled to capacity.
“It’s just so exciting we have so much interest in our neighborhood,” Van Bramer said.
Apartments will be awarded through a lottery, with a 50 percent preference given to individuals currently residing within Community Board 2’s confines. Another five percent will reserved for city employees, he noted.
The first two buildings scheduled to open early in 2015 are Hunters Point South Commons, a smaller boutique style building with 306 apartments from studios to one and two bedrooms, and Hunters Point South Crossing, a larger feel building with 619 units, Monterisi said.
The two buildings are between 60 and 70 percent completed and “will be ready to move people in spring 2015,” he said.
The marketing period, when individuals can begin applying for units, will open Oct. 15 and close 60 days later, Monterisi stated. All buildings in the development will review applications from tenants of families of six or less, it was noted.
Should an application be deemed eligible, a consultation interview will be scheduled sometime this spring.
“All apartments are designed to be permanently affordable for renters,” Monterisi said.
The first two buildings will consist of apartments from studios to three bedrooms, and “will all have basically the same level of affordability,” he said.
The moderate income range for units will be from $50,000 to $225,000 a year, and the low income range will run from $20,000 to $50,000 a year, he noted.
Shock Architects have been tapped to build the apartment towers, it was noted.
“No one will be getting an apartment here tonight,” Van Bramer said. “Today’s talk is going to talk through the process.”
The Council member has organized three forums altogether: Monday’s event in Sunnyside; a meeting last night, Oct. 1, in Woodside; and a third on Monday, Oct. 6, in Long Island City.
Sustainability measures have been included in construction, including storm resistant measures and backup generators, Monterisi said.
Attendees were encouraged to go online to create a profile and apply at New York Housing Connect, found online at www.nyc.gov/housingconnect.
Applicants will be required to create a personal profile that provides details as to their income, assets and the number of people who are likely to live in the apartment.
For each of the two buildings, only one application needs to be submitted.
To determine eligibility, the development will look at an individuals current address, their income and any assets owned, it was noted.
“If your application does appear eligible, you will be invited for a consultation interview,” Vera Silver, head of the affordable housing marketing division at the city Housing Development Corporation said.
“The largest preference is for you, people from Queens,” she added.
One attendee, Renee, is living in Long Island and considering applying for an apartment because she currently commutes into Brooklyn for work.
She raised the question of what would happen if during the gathering of information on a potential tenant, the development contacted an individual’s current landlord. She said this could jeopardize their current living situation, adding, “then you should guarantee my apartment if the landlord thinks I will be moving.”
There will be no special preferences for seniors or veterans.
Units at the development, in contrast to other luxury Hunters Point buildings, will remain affordable over time. Rent increases will be determined by the Rent Guidelines Board based on a formula.
“I can’t set the rents, and that’s in perpetuity. Forever,” Monterisi said.
