NHC member SKA Marin recently began the second phase of development for The Gilbert on First, an affordable apartment development featuring studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom units designed for low-, moderate- and middle-income families. The development will provide affordable housing in conjunction with New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Developments mixed-income program.
The Gilbert forms an integral part of SKA Marin’s East Harlem community development, which includes Metro East 99, The Draper Apartments and Draper Hall. The Gilbert anchors the Draper Apartments and the two building share open space that includes a large garden and a shared rooftop terrace. Building amenities include security-activated entrances and additional garden space for children’s play. Located within a flood zone, the first floors of both Draper and the Gilbert comply with the most current NYC and FEMA flood requirements. Both projects will be built in compliance with Green Communities Sustainability Requirements and are conveniently well served by public transportation.
Mixed-income development could soon have an even greater role in affordable housing development. The Affordable Housing Improvement Act of 2016, introduce in May, would establish an income averaging provision allowing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to better serve households across the low-income spectrum in developments with mixed-incomes. NHC partnered with the New York Housing Conference to produce a fact sheet on income averaging in mixed-income developments to aid in education and advocacy efforts around the proposed legislation.