Blaz hails record # of affordable housing units

Blaz hails record # of affordable housing units

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, JULY 13- Mayor deBlasio took a victory lap in the Bronx to hail the record number of affordable housing units created on his watch.

In an announcement in front of a 66-unit affordable housing building, located at 950 Summit Avenue (just north of Yankee Stadium), Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Bronx Borough President, and many local Bronx elected officials cheered that more affordable housing were created last year than since 1978. 

Mayor de Blasio said, “This is real progress, in real time, for real families. Together with the city council, community based organizations, and the private sector this will remain a city for everyone.” 

Speaker Mark-Viverito said, "It is imperative that we proactively protect affordability in our communities.” 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said that his office will continue to work with the de Blasio administration to plan and build new affordable housing units that work for the people of the Bronx. 

Other Bronx elected officials on hand included Congressman Jose Serrano, State Senator Jose Marcos Serrano, Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, Assembly members Latoya Joiner (who thanked the Rent Guidelines Board for its rent freeze for one year leases), Michael Blake, Luis Sepulveda. HPD Commissioner Vicki Been said that surpassing the goal of 20,000 units this year is a testament to the work that is being done at HPD. HDC President Gary Rodney added that the record breaking 20,000 plus units demonstrates the the de Blasio Administration is achieving concrete results towards its ambitious vision of Housing New York.

The 66-unit building on Summit Avenue is currently under construction, and is slated for completion in a little over one year from now. A lottery system will be put into place to select the winners of the various income level tiered apartments which will be advertised a few months before construction on the building is finished. 

The goal of Mayor Bill de Blasio's affordable housing plan is to have 200,000 new or rehabilitated current affordable units by 2021 completed or in construction.  

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