Officials Celebrate New Affordable Senior Housing Complex in Nanuet [VIDEO]

Rockland County’s not a cheap place to live, which has been a problem for seniors who may be retired and on a fixed income. However, there’s a new solution for active adults 55 years old and above with the official completion of Phase 1 of the Hyenga Lake Senior Apartments in Nanuet.

Located off of Pipetown Hill Road—where the once rundown bungalow colony used to reside—these apartments offer a brand-new independent living community. After an open house back in May, There was a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its completion. Among the attendees and speakers, there were state, county and local officials, representatives from the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) and the Rockland Housing Action Coalition (RHAC).

A Few Words From Officials

“There is a crucial need in our community for affordable senior housing. THose 65 and above, in New York State over the last decade, grew by 4 percent. In Rockland County, they grew 44 percent,” said Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack. “Hyenga Lake will enable our seniors to continue to live in Clarkstown where they have raised their families and contributed to their communities. This was a difficult project because this was a difficult piece of property. What we’re most pleased about is that we’re done with Phase 1.”

Phase 2 is another building of apartments to be built on the same 12.4-acre park-like property just a few yards away There are walking trails, sitting areas, flower gardens and a small pond on the property as well. The community is built by Hyenga Lake Limited Partnership and the Rockland Housing Action Coalition.

“The success of this project demonstrates Rockland’s commitment to keeping our growing senior population in the county by providing them with affordable, safe housing,” said Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef. “It’s also proof that public/private partnerships work and how much they can improve the quality of life for all Rocklanders.”

Everyone thanked Howard Hellman as one of the driving forces behind the project. He’s the chairman of All Bright Electric and a developer of Hyenga Lake.

“We are proud to have helped transform a former bungalow colony into an attractive community of affordable senior housing,” said Hellman.

“This is a wonderful day for Rockland’s seniors,” said Gerri Levy, executive director of the RHAC. “Thanks to our ongoing partnership with CPC and local builders and lenders, the RHAC continues to develop new affordable, rental housing for our growing senior population.”

CPC, a not-for-profit mortgage lender, provided a construction loan of $6,940,000 with Orange County Trust as the participant. $10,545,195 of tax credit equity came from Raymond James Tax Credit Funds, Inc., a subsidiary of Raymond James Financial. TD Bank invested in the tax credits.

“The completion of Hyenga Lake Senior Housing is a dream come true for seniors in this community,” said Doug Olcott, senior vice president of CPC, “We are particularly pleased to once again work in collaboration with the RHAC in providing much needed senior housing in Rockland County. This is a beautiful project. The real work is getting this thing built.”

Also on hand for the ribbon cutting were Clarkstown Councilwoman Shirley Lasker; CPC Vice President Mary Paden; the Honorable Harriet Cornell, chairwoman of the Rockland County legislature; Gregory Watson, assistant commissioner for regional affairs, Mary Ellen Rogulski, senior vice president and senior lending officer of the Orange County Trust Company; Darryl Seavey, managing director northeast region of the Raymond James Tax Credit Funds; and Phyllis Reich, tax credit officer of TD Bank.

“We found a site here that needed to be upgraded,” said Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski (D-New City). “Addressing those needs of our senior population really was something that is a testament to all the people that worked on (this project). This is really a win-win for the community.”

A few months ago, Zebrowski requested an by the Public Service Commission for Hyenga Lake Development. This waiver ensured that Hyenga Lake residents will be able to move in by their scheduled lease date.

Thanks to Zebrowski, the seniors that passed the application screening were able to move in as early as Aug. 1. Applicants must be within the HUD income eligibility guidelines and meet the apartment tenant screening criteria.

The Residents

A large mirror still leans against the wall on the floor of Dora Russo’s bare-walled apartment.

“The room will look better when I get some pictures up on the walls,” she said. But she’s not complaining; she said she loved to brag about her new apartment.

“I was the first one to move in on Aug. 1,” said Resident Dora Russo. “I love it. I think it’s excellent,” she said of her second-floor apartment. “I had gone and visited several other places and they (the rooms) are like little boxes. These are so spacious.”

A lot of these people, like Ken Zebrowski, a lot of these people here in government did a lot to speed up the process,” said Resident Marie Zanicchi.

“It is one of the most beautiful complexes in the world,” said Resident Lorraine Pippa. “Not only is it beautiful, it makes us proud to live here. It gives us pride as senior citizens. I’m so thankful to the owners, the housing, the state, to the developers, just allowing us the chance to live our golden years in dignity and in style.”

About the Apartments

“All of the apartments are handicapped accessible with onsite parking,” said Amee Levy of Hyenga Lake Senior Apartments. For a tour of the complex and apartments, check out this earlier

The 66-unit apartment building is available to a population 55 years and older. 45 units will be for seniors earning 50 percent or less of the county’s median income and 20 units will be for those earning 60 percent or less. There is also one 2-bedroom unit used by the superintendent.

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 depending on the tenant’s income. Here are the amenities that come with each room:

• Cable and internet services
• Energy efficient appliances, lighting and water conserving fixtures
• 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 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. “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.

The project architect was Coppola Associates of Newburgh. The firm designed several Hudson Valley housing projected, some of which were funded by CPC. The general contractor was Affordable Housing Concepts, LLC, Keith Libolt, president.

Hyenga Lake Senior Housing will be managed by RHAC, which has more than 20 years experience as a community housing development.

CPC also provided a $2,750,000 permanent financing through the New York State Pension Fund, which was insured by SONYMA. The New York State Homes and Community Renewal provided a $2.4 million loan from the New York State Housing Trust Fund.

For more information, visit the RHAC’s website.