Almost four years after announcing a plan to build up to 5,000 units of affordable housing in Long Island City, Mayor Bloomberg has put out a call for developers for the significantly scaled down project. The first phase of the Hunter's Point South development calls for 1,000 units, and would be built on the corner of the East River and Newton Creek. About 600 of the apartments would be reserved for "middle income" families making between $63,000 and $130,000 for a family of four.
The Observer reports that there is currently not enough funding for the whole 5,000 unit project. The city is offering a $90,000 subsidy on each middle-income apartment, and $175 million has been budgeted for toxic cleanup on the site. Construction wouldn't start until 2012, but housing commissioner Rafael E. Cestero said this was an important step for the city. He told the Times, "The vast majority of housing we create is for low-income families. But we also know that people with moderate and middle incomes have significant housing challenges. We don’t want them to have to leave the city to find housing."
However, many believe up to $130,000 a year is pretty steep to be considered "middle income." Jerilyn Perine of the Citizens Housing and Planning Council said, “We’re still a city where half the households are paying more than 30 percent of their income for rent." Developers also believe that the cost of the project could drive up the costs of the units, and say development may require construction unions to agree to concessions to keep prices low.
City Council member Jimmy Van Bramer says the project is needed in the area, despite the potential costs. He said it has “the potential to transform the area, which right now is either abandoned or underutilized land, and make it into a thriving community where people want to live." Because every middle income family of four wants to live a 15 minute walk from the closest 7 train stop.
