The HALO fund provides direct loans to borrowers in support of the creation or preservation of housing that is attainable to the average Rockland resident.
The new Westchester headquarters positions OLA for continued growth as it remains on a mission to create better, more efficient environments.
Sullivan County’s December sales of single-family homes increased by 49.1%—the highest in the six-county region.
The HALO fund provides direct loans to borrowers in support of the creation or preservation of housing that is attainable to the average Rockland resident.
NEW CITY—Rockland County Executive Ed Day, alongside the Office of Community Development, County Legislators, award recipients, municipal leaders, and more, officially announced the four Housing Action Loan Opportunity (HALO) Awards and projects involving up to $13.5 million in loans on Jan. 31.
“This is a monumental step forward in our ongoing efforts to address Rockland's housing crisis. The HALO program is not just about creating housing—it's about building stronger, more stable communities by ensuring that hardworking Rockland residents have access to attainable homes,” said County Executive Ed Day. “With the support of our partners and the dedication of our Office of Community Development, we are making real progress toward a brighter future for all.”
The HALO fund provides direct loans to borrowers in support of the creation or preservation of housing that is attainable to the average Rockland resident, with proceeds from loan repayments flowing back into the funds for future housing opportunities. All projects will be consistent with the character of existing neighborhoods.
“I’m so incredibly honored to be part of this bipartisan effort to create affordable housing so that families, seniors, young workers, and others can find a place they can call home,” said Rockland County Legislator Jesse Malowitz, Chairman of the Economic Development & Housing Committee. “I know personally of the difficulty in finding an appropriate home at a price you can afford, and it was one of my motivations for running for elective office. On behalf of myself and the entire Rockland County Legislature, thank you to the County staff, the partner agencies and everyone working to make this program succeed.”
The first award is a $3-million HALO Loan for predevelopment in support of Pennrose NY LLC to redevelop the former Haverstraw Chair Factory along the Hudson River to create 308 affordable units.
The project breakdown includes: 64 units at 30% AMI (Area Median Income) or below; 93 units at 60% AMI or below; 78 units at 80% AMI or below; nine units at 90% AMI or below; 43 units at 110% AMI or below and 17 units at 130% AMI or below.
“We are appreciative of the county’s commitment to delivering high-quality, mixed-income housing opportunities for Rockland families,” said Dylan Salmons, Regional Vice President at Pennrose. “In the face of the housing affordability crisis, the sustained support of the HALO program will help the development team to transform an underutilized site into a vibrant community asset with over 450 mixed-income homes and public space.”
The second award is an up to $3-million HALO Loan to Westhab, Inc. in support of developing a vacant lot located at 30 West St. in Haverstraw for an 81-unit affordable rental project for qualified low-income renters at 60% AMI or below.
“Westhab is tremendously appreciative to have Rockland County's support (financially and otherwise). 30 West, located in the Village of Haverstraw, will provide affordable and supportive housing to 81 individuals and families earning less than 60% of the county's AMI,” said Andrew Germansky, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Westhab, Inc. “In the midst of a regional housing crisis, Rockland County is showing leadership by making the HALO funds available to developers to build housing that is affordable to the community. Our development is a testament to the value and impact of true public/private partnerships.”
The third HALO Loan is for $2.5 million to Sisters of Charity Housing Development Corporation to acquire and preserve an existing 90-unit affordable rental development at 140 Route 9W for qualified low-income senior renters.
“Sisters of Charity Housing and SCOPE Housing Development are grateful to Rockland County for assisting in the permanent preservation of Haverstraw Place as senior affordable housing. Haverstraw Place is home to more than 90 seniors who will be able to age in place, remaining in their broader community because of the county’s investment,” said Matthew Janeczko, CEO & President Sisters of Charity Housing Development Corporation. “The HALO Loan and the county’s investment in affordable housing and partnership with a community-based non-profit developer highlights the potential for future government/non-profit collaboration in creating much needed affordable housing in Rockland County and beyond.”
The final HALO loan is an up to $5-million loan to Regan Development Company’s special purpose entity Nannawit Commons LLC in support of the development of a 52-unit 100% affordable, senior, rental project for qualified low-income renters at or below 80% AMI in Clarkstown.
“As a company whose principals grew up in Rockland County right in the Town of Clarkstown, Regan Development is proud to partner with Rockland County and the Town of Clarkstown to create new high quality, energy efficient, affordable 55+ senior rental housing units for local Rockland residents,” said Larry Regan, President of Regan Development. “Rockland seniors currently struggle to find affordable housing rental options in the county and the HALO program will assist in the creation of 52 new units to alleviate the shortage.”
The HALO program, unanimously approved by the County Legislature in April 2024, was one of several key recommendations to the County of Rockland in its first-ever comprehensive community and housing needs assessment, as a method to address the housing crisis. Four projects in total were announced, three of which are in the Village of Haverstraw and the fourth in Clarkstown.
The new Westchester headquarters positions OLA for continued growth as it remains on a mission to create better, more efficient environments.
Contract activity fell more sharply in the high-priced regions of the Northeast and West, where elevated mortgage rates have appreciably cut affordability.
The donation allowed Lucas, a four-year-old Westchester boy and avid animal lover, to travel to Walt Disney World and Animal Kingdom in Orlando, FL.
Weisz noted that in the past 15 years, the county’s office market has been reduced from 35 million square feet to approximately 26 million square feet.
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