34 Affordable Homes Will Be Built On Vacant Harlem Lots

HARLEM, NY — More than 30 affordable apartments are set to be built across four long-vacant lots in Harlem, city officials and developers said Thursday.

The project, backed by a $6,638,500 construction loan, will transform formerly city-owned properties at 313 West 112th St., 109 West 126th St., 142 West 129th St., and 136 West 137th St. into 34 new affordable homes.

The loan was closed by LISC NY in partnership with Lemor Development Group and Iris Community Development, with additional subsidy funding provided by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

"Harlem is one of New York’s most vibrant and culturally rich neighborhoods, but there still exists an intense need for more access to accessible living options," said Valerie White, Senior Executive Director of LISC NY. "This is why we are proud to support the transformation of these lots into nearly three dozen additional affordable homes."

The developments will rise on underutilized lots in a neighborhood where demand for affordable housing remains high.

The sites are located near major transit options and cultural landmarks, including the Apollo Theater, Morningside Park and the northern end of Central Park.

The buildings will be constructed through the city’s New Construction Finance Program, which funds 100 percent affordable multi-family rental developments.

Units will be targeted to households earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income, also called the AMI.

Of the 34 apartments, 16 units will be reserved for households earning at or below 40 percent of AMI, while the remaining 18 will be for households earning up to 70 percent of AMI.

Half of the units will also be supported by Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers.

The project is part of a broader push to convert vacant and underused city-owned land into housing, as officials look to address New York City’s ongoing affordability crisis.

"These projects are a testament to the community building that can still occur even in the most developed and highly populated areas of our city," White said.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.