Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the opening of The Kira, an $80 million affordable and supportive housing development in Jamaica, Queens. This included a newly constructed, 21-story mixed-use building with 139 units of affordable and supportive housing, including 69 with supportive services.
"Supportive housing is a vital component of our work to ensure that all New Yorkers have a safe, affordable place to call home," Governor Hochul said. "The Kira will provide women who have experienced homelessness and domestic violence easy access to the support and services they need and deserve to build better lives for themselves and their children."
The Kira complements Governor Hochul's sweeping plans to make housing more affordable, equitable, and stable. In the FY 2023 State Budget, the Governor introduced and successfully secured a new $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan that will increase housing supply by creating or preserving 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.
Developed by New Destiny Housing, BFC Partners and SMJ Development, The Kira includes 38 studio units, 64 one-bedroom units and 37 two-bedroom units, including one set aside for an onsite building superintendent. A total of 32 of the one-bedroom and 37 of the two-bedroom units will be set aside for survivors of domestic violence with income at or below 40 percent of the Area Median Income. The remaining units are set aside for households with income at or below 80 percent of the AMI.
Amenities include a children's recreation room, fitness room, laundry facilities and outdoor activity space. The project also features more than 5,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor. There is also a dedicated community room and offices for onsite supportive programs and supportive housing staff.
The Kira's energy efficient design and features meet Enterprise Green Communities Certification and the Homes and Community Renewal Housing Finance Agency mandatory Green and Energy Certification Standards.
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is providing $1.7 million annually in operating funding for the supportive services through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.
State financing for The Kira included $19.2 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $26.1 million in equity, and $29 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. Since 2011, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested more than $11.49 billion in multifamily buildings to create or preserve more than 42,300 affordable homes and apartments in New York City. Nearly 4,000 of these are in Queens.