Hochul Unveils $86 Million Affordable Housing Project Delivering 154 Apartments in the Bronx

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the completion of Baez Place, an $86 million affordable and supportive housing development in the Claremont neighborhood of the The Bronx, New York City.

The project, developed by Community Access in partnership with Blue Sky Bronx LLC, provides 154 affordable apartments, including 86 supportive units for vulnerable residents such as seniors and individuals living with mental health challenges.

The development also features a community greenhouse and urban agriculture programs aimed at improving residents’ health, food access, and social interaction.

Announcing the project, Hochul said the initiative reflects the state’s commitment to expanding access to safe and affordable housing.

“Baez Place represents exactly the kind of bold investment we need to make New York more affordable and more livable,” Hochul said. “Homes with services, amenities and opportunities to build community can help the most vulnerable New Yorkers live independently and achieve a sense of wellbeing and belonging.”

The apartments are designed for households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income. Support services for eligible tenants are provided by Community Access and include case management, mental health support, employment assistance, and links to healthcare and community resources.

The all-electric building meets high sustainability standards, including Energy Star Multifamily Highrise certification and Enterprise Green Communities requirements, featuring energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, and advanced heating and cooling systems.

According to the state, the project was financed through programs administered by the New York State Homes and Community Renewal, which contributed Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits expected to generate about $38.7 million in equity and $12 million in subsidies. Additional funding came from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance through its Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.

Commissioner of Homes and Community Renewal, RuthAnne Visnauskas, said the project demonstrates the state’s vision of combining housing with supportive services.

“Baez Place is a powerful example of Governor Hochul’s vision in action, creating high-quality, affordable housing that provides the support New Yorkers need to thrive,” Visnauskas said.

Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Barbara C. Guinn, noted that the development will provide stability for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“The opening of Baez Place provides individuals with stable, affordable apartments and easy access to essential support services that will help them remain housed and live independently,” Guinn said.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer praised the use of federal housing tax credits that helped finance the project.

“I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit has generated more than $38 million to help build Baez Place in the Bronx — a new development with 154 affordable housing units, including 86 supportive apartments,” Schumer said.

U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres said the project would help address rising living costs affecting working families.

“Baez Place delivers 154 affordable homes in the Bronx, including supportive housing for our most vulnerable neighbors,” Torres said. “That is how we confront affordability head-on.”

Other leaders, including State Senator Luis Sepúlveda, Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia, and Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, also praised the initiative, describing it as a major step toward addressing the housing crisis and supporting vulnerable residents in New York.

Community Access CEO Cal Hedigan emphasized the life-changing impact of stable housing.

“Housing is a human right, and having a place to call home can transform a person’s life,” Hedigan said. “Baez Place reflects our belief that every New Yorker deserves not only housing, but the opportunity to live with dignity and thrive.”

The development forms part of Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year housing plan aimed at creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York State, including more than 10,000 in the Bronx.