New Affordable Housing Complex Opens In Flushing

FLUSHING, QUEENS - A new, 231-unit affordable housing complex in Downtown Flushing celebrated its grand opening Thursday.

One Flushing incorporates feng shui principles and includes a rooftop farm, children's playroom and 22,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. There are 66 apartments reserved for low-income seniors, and 117 apartments will be permanently affordable under the city's mandatory inclusionary housing program.

“Our hope is that the residents of One Flushing will be able to dream bigger, reach higher,” said Jennifer Sun, co-executive director of the non-profit Asian Americans for Equality, which helped develop the project.

The building at 133-45 41st Ave. received 84,000 applications for the 231 apartments, according to City Council Member Peter Koo, who represents Downtown Flushing. "Clearly there’s a desperate need for real affordable housing in our community," Koo said. "In fact, it is the most often-asked question in our office.”

Thursday's festivities began with a traditional lion dance to celebrate the Chinese New Year. State Senators John Liu and Toby Ann Stavisky, Congresswoman Grace Meng and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz joined about 150 attendees for the "ribbon cutting" ceremony.

One Flushing will include offices for the nonprofit's immigrant and social services and a branch of the AAFE Care Senior Center, which provides adult day care and other support services for the elderly. The building will also house the AAFE's Renaissance Economic Development Corp., which offers low-interest loans and training to immigrant entrepreneurs.