New Affordable Housing Remains Unaffordable For Locals: Harlem Leaders

HARLEM, NY — Thursday brought Harlem leaders out to protest what they say is a lack of true affordability in the neighborhood's newest affordable housing redevelopment, a former prison-turned-condos now dubbed the Seneca.

The redevelopment project would see 105 condos built on the 10,000-square-foot grounds at 31-33 West 110th St., the former Lincoln Correctional Facility, Gov. Kathy Hochul said when she announced the capital project in December 2023.

The project, which is costing the state around $90 million, is being developed by The Empire State Development Corporation, a government department.

However, Harlem Sen. Cordell Cleare, who organized the rally, said that the plan doesn't actually promise affordable housing for her constituents and that construction on the development should be halted until greater affordability can be secured.

“We must do everything we can to build truly affordable housing to stop the outmigration of Black and Latino residents across Harlem," Cleare said.

The condo-style homes have income caps split between 80 and 100 percent of the Area Median Income, which comes out to monthly payment rates for a two-bedroom between $3,000 and $3,700, respectively, not including the five percent down payments.

Cleare argued that this pricing plan is not doable for the average Black family in Harlem, since the median income for a Black family in the area is only $53,666, according to 2023 U.S. Census data.

"I am deeply concerned that, without ensuring housing that is truly affordable, we risk pushing out the very people who have built and sustained this community for generations," Councilmember Yusef Salaam, who spoke at the protest, said.

The rally was also attended by Assembly member Eddie Gibbs, as well as members of Community Board 10 and members of the Interfaith Commission for Housing Equality, who all voiced support for affordable housing, and said that the site needs to deepen its affordability.

"Harlem is not obligated to ensure a return on investment to developers," Dedrick Blue, a pastor and vice chairman of the Interfaith Commission for Housing Equality, said. "The community must not support developments that provide for a modicum of affordable units at the consequence of soaring rents and mass displacement."

Emily Mijatovic, a communications director at the Empire State Development Corporation, told Patch the AMI is designed to be affordable, and the organization will continue to collaborate with community leaders, but did not mention halting construction.

"The transformation of the former Lincoln Correctional Facility will expand affordable homeownership in Harlem with 105 units for working New Yorkers, creating opportunities for working families to build intergenerational wealth. ESD, in partnership with its development partner, remains committed to working with local leaders and to ensure this project serves the community and its needs," Mijatovic said.

The site where the Seneca will be was built in 1914 as a branch of the Young Women's Hebrew Association, which once housed Jewish immigrant women in the early 20th century before being sold to an experimental school in 1917 operating under Columbia University's Teachers College, according to a 2002 report from The Morning News.

The development served as a school in various capacities before the state bought it in 1976 to be used for prisoners with less than two years until parole and, later, as a work-release center.

The 408-person capacity facility mostly housed those serving drug-related sentences, the outlet reported in 2002.

The facility closed in 2019 and was most recently used in 2023 as a temporary shelter for asylum seekers.

You can check your household's Area Median Income here.

This is a developing story and may be updated. For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.