New Rochelle Affordable Housing Open House Offers Keys To The Process

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — There have never been more resources available to seize affordable housing opportunities, but those resources can sometimes be tricky to navigate. But don't fret, because the City of New Rochelle wants to help.

The City of New Rochelle is hosting an affordable housing open house on March 7, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at City Hall.

Current and potential New Rochelle residents can receive housing guidance, support with ongoing housing applications and new lottery processes, along with information about the city’s affordable housing opportunities.

The open house for affordable housing will be held in the Rotunda in City Hall, at 515 North Avenue. Open to both current and prospective residents, organizers say the open house will showcase upcoming housing lotteries for newly developed affordable rental housing in the city, the city’s First Time Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance Program, and the latest sustainability initiatives available to homeowners. Important new information about New Rochelle’s Section 8 housing assistance program in 2024 will also be available at the event.

See Also: New Lottery Open For 133 Affordable Apartments At 'Highgarden Tower'

"The City of New Rochelle’s Affordable Housing Open House highlights our dedication to providing the community with tangible channels to affordable housing and expanded access to homeownership," New Rochelle City Manager Kathleen Gill said. "Together, with the support of our community members, nonprofit partners, and local developers, we will continue to prioritize affordable housing as a fundamental cornerstone of our city's future."

At the Affordable Housing Open House, current and potential residents will have the chance to learn about over 500 new affordable housing units coming to downtown New Rochelle in 2024, including:

• Highgarden Tower (Lottery open now): a mixed-use rental building located at 11 Garden Street, New Rochelle providing affordable housing options for residents whose earnings fall at 60 percent to 80 percent of average monthly income. Applications for this lottery are available from Feb. 9 through April 10, 2024 at 4 p.m. here, by mail or in-person.
• West View Apartments (Coming soon): located at 25 Garden Street, New Rochelle, will create 185 affordable housing units and is committed to providing affordable housing to residents with earnings at 50 percent to 60 percent of average monthly income.
• 500 Main St., (also opening in 2024) brings 111 affordable units at 50 percent and 60 percent of average monthly income to the core of Downtown New Rochelle.

In addition to highlighting upcoming and current affordable housing lotteries, the Affordable Housing Open House will feature information on city-run programs:

• Section 8: Qualifying individuals and families will learn about applying for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher in 2024. If approved, the voucher can assist low-income individuals and families in finding affordable, decent, and safe homes. More information will be provided at the event.
• Down Payment Assistance Program: Residents interested in becoming homeowners can learn more about the City’s Down Payment Assistance Program, meant to provide low to moderate housing opportunities and assist residents in home ownership. The City will pay up to 19 percent of the down payment to help residents own their first home in New Rochelle.
• Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA): The City's TBRA program assists individuals and families in New Rochelle who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless by transitioning them from local emergency shelters to temporary housing until permanent accommodations are secured.

"New Rochelle remains steadfast in our goal of offering affordable, quality housing options for every resident, and we look forward to welcoming over 400 units of affordable housing to our downtown neighborhood," New Rochelle Deputy City Manager and Development Commissioner Adam Salgado explained. "We aim to ensure accessibility to a diverse array of opportunities and resources, delivering innovative solutions that uphold our city as an inclusive and flourishing home."

The Affordable Housing Open House will feature opportunities for current and potential residents and homeowners to talk with city and community partners. During the four-hour-long event, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., information about the city’s affordable housing strategy, the affordable housing lotteries, Section 8 housing assistance voucher program, and the City’s first-time homebuyer Down Payment Assistance program will be presented in City Council Chambers.

Organizations set to attend the event include: Westchester Residential Opportunities, Housing Action Council, New Rochelle Section 8 and Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program, HOPE Community Services, and New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority.

Light refreshments and childcare will be available. Pre-registration is encouraged here.