Construction Completed on $43-Million Affordable Housing Development in Yonkers

YONKERS—New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Sept. 23 the completion of the Dayspring Campus, a $43-million development with 63 affordable and supportive apartments and a newly renovated community center in Southwest Yonkers.

Financed with more than $20.6 million in assistance from state Homes and Community Renewal, the development includes 37 apartments reserved for homeless families, including young adult parents with children, and families with special needs.

“As we move our state forward, we must ensure all New Yorkers have access to secure homes, including the most vulnerable among us,” Gov. Hochul said. “The Dayspring Campus provides both affordable and supportive housing, along with a state-of-the-art community center that offers job training, childcare services, after school programming, and many other amenities that working families can rely on to succeed. This project, along with many others underway across the state, are helping to forge a bright, healthy future for New York.”

The six-story Dayspring Commons residential building is located at 227 Elm St. in Yonkers and includes a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The building includes 25 apartments designated as affordable for households earning at or below 50 percent of the area median income, with one apartment reserved for a live-in superintendent.

The development also includes 37 supportive housing units that will be funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative through the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Westhab, the project’s developer, will also provide supportive services, including individual case management, employment counseling, and mental health services.

Residential building amenities at Dayspring Commons include a supportive services office, community room, laundry room, round-the-clock security personnel, a landscaped yard, and free, covered parking. All apartments and common areas are equipped with Energy Star Rated appliances, LED light fixtures, and water-saving fixtures for showers, sinks, and water closets.

State financing for the development includes $7.1 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, federal low-income housing tax credits that generated $15.2 million in equity and $13.5 million in subsidy from HCR. Westhab raised $5.3 million in donations to support renovations as well as operations and a robust line-up of programs. The Westchester County New Homes Land Acquisition contributed more than $1.7 million to the project. The City of Yonkers provided $160,000 in pre-development funds as well as $1 million for the renovation of the Dayspring Community Center, and incentives through the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said, “I’m thrilled to see the completion of the Dayspring Campus, which is a win-win for both the residents of Dayspring Commons and the Nodine Hill neighborhood. Dayspring is providing much-needed affordable and supportive housing for a mix of individuals in Yonkers. It is also a significant asset to all area residents with its brand-new, state-of-the-art community center with a wide range of programming.”

Westhab, Inc. President and CEO Richard Nightingale added, “We envision the Dayspring campus as an anchor institution for the community and a catalyst for additional community development investment. Nodine Hill has been calling for a Dayspring, and Westhab is excited to deliver. We are deeply grateful to the community, our partners, and the entire Dayspring village that helped this vision become a reality.”

Residents of Dayspring Commons will have full access to the recently renovated church on the campus that has been transformed into a state-of-the-art 27,400 square-foot community facility called the Dayspring Community Center. The center will provide a range of services including comprehensive youth and adult education programs, year-round after school and summer youth programming, vocational training and employment counseling, family programming, a food pantry, among other amenities.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “I am proud to join with Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Homes and Community Renewal and Westhab as we officially open the Dayspring Campus in Yonkers, a housing development dedicated specifically to those with limited incomes and their families. Affordable housing opportunities across Westchester is something we strongly believe in; we want to see these projects come to fruition in all of our communities. Every resident deserves to have a safe, affordable place they can call home with the amenities they need to live a full and happy life here in Westchester.”