New 62+ Independent Living Community Comes to Hyenga Lake

Rockland County’s not a cheap place to live, but for active adults 62 years old and up, there’s new affordable living available in Nanuet. The Hyenga Lake Senior Apartments offer an independent living community that’s brand new and with Phase 1 of two phases almost complete, they opened their doors this past Saturday for an open house.

The community is built by Hyenga Lake Limited Partnership and the Rockland Housing Action Coalition. Applicants must be within the HUD income eligibility guidelines and meet the apartment tenant screening criteria.

“This exciting 65-unit active adult rental complex was specifically designed for mature adults, 62 years and older,” said Amee Levy of Hyenga Lake Senior Apartments. “All of the apartments are handicapped accessible with onsite parking.”

There is a lottery this Thursday, May 26 in which each application turned in by then will receive a random number to decide the order that the applications will be reviewed. Applications need to be submitted by 5 p.m. to be considered in this lottery, said Gerri Levy, Executive Director of RHAC.

Applications will be reviewed June 2 and July 1 is the estimated move-in date. Phase 1 is a 4-story building with 65 1 bedroom units. A typical 688 sq. ft. apartment comes with:

• Bedroom
• Living room
• Full bath
• Two closets
• Storage room
• Utility room
• Full kitchen

Monthly rent runs from $420-900.

“We are able to provide high quality affordable rental housing, because weve obtained tax credits from the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and other financing through the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York,” said Levy.

Here are the amenities that come with each room:

• Frost-free refrigerator
• Oven
• Dishwasher
• Climate control thermostat
• Baseboard heat
• Air conditioning
• Wall to wall carpeting
• Cable ready
• Resident clubroom for entertaining
• Laundry facilities in building on the first and third floors
• Garbage chute and recycling bins on all floors
• Emergency alert system
• Private gardens
• Professional emergency maintenance response system
• Convenient access to public transportation
• Convenient to major highways
• Easy access to shopping, religious and cultural attractions with a mini-trans shuttle

The entire building is designed with the wheelchair and disabled in mind. There are elevators, widened doorways and railings that run up and down every hallway.

“These are the most efficient water utilities on the market and we’re looking into solar on the roof,” said Howard Hellman.“All units have emergency calls in all the rooms and bathrooms. The cabinets under the sinks pull out for wheelchairs.”

“I can tell you that working with people with disabilities that this is designed to the maximum amount to met the needs of people with disabilities,” said George Hoehmann, Clarkstown Councilman who is leaving Camp Venture to become the new executive director of RILC starting June 1. “The wide doors, handrails, those all cost extra and helps maintain their independence.”

All furniture seen at the open house is donated by Ethan Allan. There is a closed circuit video surveillance and a senior club will be formed for the residents. The senior club will receive guidance from the town on how to get started and what events are best for senior citizens. 

There is also an intercom system to allow those outside to enter as the doors are locked always.

Here’s what the open house visitors had to say:

“It looks nice,” said Pearl River’s Steve Schiller, adding that he likes the “pleasant ladies (tour guides) that talk.” His favorite feature is that the building is new.

“For one, I like the place because there are no steps. It has everything,” said C. Dennis. “I think it’s really nice.”

“I like the kitchens,” said Bella Lange of the Bronx. “It’s really nice. I like the bathrooms without the bathtubs. I can’t get myself in and out of a tub easily.” Only about 10 of the rooms in the building offer a stand up shower instead of a tub/shower combination.

“The layout is very nice. I think the place is very nice. One of the best I’ve seen,” said Dora Russo. “The others are pillbox rooms. I like that the dining and kitchen are combined and it’s made very comfortably.”

“The shower looks spacious and I like the place a lot,” said Tom Rivera, a former Nanuet resident.

In Phase 2, 40 units will be built in a separate building in the same community complex making the total units at 105.

To request an application or for more information, 845-708-5799 or rhac300@aol.com

Applications need to be mailed to or returned in person to

Rockland Housing Action Coalition, Inc.