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Senior housing construction to begin Carmel - Construction begins next week on an $11.7 million senior citizen housing community in Carmel that will provide 94 affordable, one- and two-bedroom rental units. "It will be another housing choice to keep many of our people here," Supervisor Frank Del Campo said. "Empty-nesters are looking to stay in the area and still be comfortable financially. This will help." Hughson Commons is a joint project of Wilder-Balter Partners of Elmsford, a commercial builder, and the Housing Action Council of Tarrytown, a nonprofit group. They have received $778,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and $867,600 from the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corp. The balance of the funding will come from private investors. "We've been fighting for years to get housing for the elderly and now we can address the needs of the elderly," William Huestis, executive director of the Putnam County Office for the Aging, said. The waiting list of senior citizens looking for available housing has reached nearly 400 people, mostly Putnam County residents or people with family here, he said. Senior citizen housing is limited to just over 100 units in Putnam County, but that number is expected to more than double in the next year and a half. Chestnut Ridge in Cold Spring, with 63 units, was the first complex in the county for senior citizens. The Putnam County Housing Corp. operates a 48-unit complex off Seminary Hill Road in Carmel and 24 apartments are expected to be added next year, Huestis said. Construction is planned for 48 units in Mahopac on Route 6 behind the new Kohler Senior Center. Proposals exist for housing projects in Brewster and Southeast, as well, Huestis added. Hughson Commons will consist of three buildings between Brewster and Kelly roads on Hughson Road, just around the corner from the Putnam Hospital Center. It will be adjacent to the county Office for the Aging and a footpath will be built to connect the two. The first units are expected to be available for occupancy early next year. The 78 one-bedroom apartments are expected to rent for about $480 a month, and the 16 two-bedroom apartments for $580. Senior citizens with yearly incomes of between $18,700 and $25,620 would be eligible. "Everywhere in the metropolitan area, we are seeing an increase in the elderly population, many of whom are low income," said Rosemarie Noonan, executive director of the Housing Action Council. The council will begin to market the complex and screen applicants approximately three months before the end of construction, Noonan said. |
