New $96M Affordable Housing Development Breaks Ground In Westchester

VILLAGE OF OSSINING, NY — A new affordable housing project in Westchester County is full steam ahead.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday the start of construction for Station Plaza, a new affordable housing development in the village of Ossining. The project will provide 108 affordable apartments, along with community facilities and commercial space, which is expected to help revitalize the surrounding neighborhood and increase housing options in the area.

Over the past five years, NYS Homes and Community Renewal has financed over 5,000 affordable homes in Westchester County, including Station Plaza. The governor's $25 billion five-year Housing Plan is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

"The solution to the housing crisis is simple — we have to build more housing," Governor Hochul said. "Affordable, transit-oriented developments like Station Plaza in Westchester will unlock opportunities for generations of New Yorkers and create new pathways for families to thrive."

The $96 million project, led by WBP Development LLC, will consist of an eight-story residential building with 108 units and a four-level detached parking garage. Each apartment will be designated for households earning at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income, which is expected to ensure affordability for a diverse range of residents.

"I am excited at this public private enterprise which brings together the best of government practices aligned with private investment," Ossining Mayor Rika Levin said. "The village of Ossining has long been considered one of the most affordable villages in Westchester. This affordable housing initiative at the waterfront continues to be in line with our focus on balancing development with the village’s capacity to support such growth for the benefit of businesses and residents. Of special note is the incorporation of state-of-the-art decarbonization elements for environmental sustainability, additional private and public parking, commercial retail space and community space, along with the extension of the unique Sing Sing Kill greenway."

Station Plaza's amenities will include a roof deck, fitness facilities, free in-unit Wi-Fi, coworking spaces and a communal laundry area. The development will also include a 3,400-square-foot retail space, a 4,000-square-foot community facility and a 64,000-square-foot parking structure with 195 spaces, 150 of which will be free for tenants, with 45 reserved for public use. In addition, the project will provide residents with access to a linear public park and an extension of the Sing Sing Kill Greenway.

The development is considered to be a model of sustainability, with high-performance building standards such as geothermal heating and cooling, ENERGY STAR appliances, a rooftop photovoltaic solar array and enhanced insulation exceeding code requirements. There will also be 11 electric vehicle charging stations for residents, with infrastructure in place for additional future installations. The project is expected to achieve Enterprise Green Communities Plus certification, which will further underscore its commitment to environmental stewardship.

Financing from HCR includes $57.2 million in tax exempt bonds, federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $3.4 million in equity, $17.8 million from the New Construction Program and $4.9 million from the NYS Housing Trust Fund. Westchester County also provided $4.4 million from its New Homes Land Acquisition program. The project also benefits from participation in the DEC's Brownfield Cleanup Program, and upon successful completion of environmental cleanup work, could be eligible for $11 million for land remediation and redevelopment and $2.5 million in sustainability-focused equity in the form of tax credits to be issued by the NYS Department of Tax and Finance.