A Unique Way To Build Affordable Homes For Westchester Seniors

YONKERS, NY — Unit-by-unit, an unusual building project is rising in a South Yonkers neighborhood.

The unique LaMora Senior Housing complex, being built in the Hollow neighborhood, is one of the few affordable housing projects in the region meeting "Passive House" standards in a modular construction design.

The project is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2024.

"Passive House" is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency, which reduces a building's ecological footprint. The standard results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling. Because the heating, cooling and ventilation systems are self-sustaining, they are also less vulnerable to climate effects.

The $44 million development will create 60 energy-efficient and affordable homes for residents age 62 and older, with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income.

LaMora apartments will include low-flow plumbing fixtures, Energy Star appliances, individually controlled high-efficiency electric heat and cooling, and LED lighting and emergency generators to ensure building resiliency.

"After more than four years of planning and design, it’s exciting to see the first of the more than 90 modules that will make up the LaMora Senior Living Apartments lifted into place," Lead Architect Stuart Lachs, of Perkins Eastman, said. "As one of the first modular, passive house, senior living buildings in the country, LaMora Senior Living Apartments showcases the balance between affordable and environmentally-conscious design. Perkins Eastman is honored to work with MHACY, a forward-thinking and innovative client dedicated to reducing the shortage of affordable housing for seniors in Yonkers."

Wilson Kimball, Yonkers Housing Authority President/CEO, said Yonkers has long been plagued by extreme heat and flooding brought about by climate change. When Hurricane Ida caused extreme flooding at one of its senior housing sites, Kimball said it was all the more reason to consider the idea of "Passive House" design for new construction.

"Yonkers population, like the rest of Westchester, is ageing," Kimball said. "We would like our tenants to be able to age in place where they can be assured that their medical life support devices have an independent reliable energy source. Even if first responders can't get to LaMora because of a catastrophic weather event, our seniors will be able to weather the storm."

La Mora residents will have access to several services provided by the Yonkers Office for the Aging, including case management, home-delivered meals, assistance with entitlement programs, transportation, health awareness programs, access to nutrition centers, recreation and exercise programs, and supermarket and pharmacy delivery coordination. Services will be funded by the Office for the Aging and the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services.

For more information on the Yonkers Housing Authority, visit their website.