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Court Street Residences, a new affordable senior housing development that will be located in White Plains at 143 Grand St., was approved by the Westchester County Board of Legislators in a 17-0 vote on Monday, April 17.
The project, which will consist of at least 140 residential units for people aged 55 and older and will be built by a corporation formed by HANAC, Inc. and Monadnock Development LLC, had been in the works for nearly two decades and will finally move forward now that the lease agreement has been approved, county officials said.
It will be built on the southwesterly corner of Court and Quarropas Streets on a vacant property that was purchased by the county in 2000. The space is partially occupied by the County’s Board of Elections, but most of it has remained vacant for years.
A portion of the complex's units will be set aside for households with incomes at or below 80 percent and 60 percent of the area median income set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Units will be subject to these affordability restrictions for the entirety of the lease term, which can be up to 95 years.
The facility is planned to be all-electric and will incorporate environmentally friendly and sustainable green technology. It will also feature amenities like parking, community rooms, an exercise room, on-site laundry, a computer room, and medical and hospital offices with significant programs for seniors, according to county officials.
Additionally, the LOFT: LGBT Community Services Center based in White Plains will lease space at the new development, where it will coordinate outreach to eligible LGBTQ+ seniors and help them apply for affordable units.
County officials said it would be important to make affordable units available to LGBTQ+ seniors, as they are "statistically more likely to experience discrimination and harassment as a result of housing affordability," and are less likely to have children or other family members to help meet their needs as they age.
"Inclusive, affordable housing empowers and strengthens the fabric of our society," said Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, who serves as Chair of the Housing Committee.
"This housing today is a symbol of how far we have come, providing Westchester's residents and LGBTQ+ elders with safe, affordable, and affirming housing, as well as space for programs and medical services," Woodson-Samuels added.
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