NYC seeks affordable housing nonprofits to build on 'underutilized' NYCHA property

The New York City Housing Authority and Department of Housing Preservation and Development are reaching out to nonprofit and underrepresented developers interested in building affordable housing on underused public housing property, according to a request for qualifications the agencies released Tuesday.

The call for interested groups comes as NYCHA has planned to build 10,000 units of affordable housing on “underutilized” plots with the goal of generating $100 million to $200 million in revenue, as well as some mixed-income developments, according to its “NextGeneration” plan released last year. It is encouraging nonprofits, as well as small and women- and minority-owned developers, to vie for contracts to build the fully affordable buildings. 

“This process is an innovative way to reduce barriers and bring more community-based developers to the table,” NYCHA Chairwoman and CEO Shola Olatoye said in a statement to NYN Media. “We encourage all nonprofit developers, M/WBEs and community partners to submit their qualifications and join us in creating more affordable housing and more connected communities through NextGeneration NYCHA.”

The agency already chose developers to develop 500 affordable units at three developments in the Bronx and Brooklyn, and in recent weeks it released an RFP to develop property at the Betances Houses in the South Bronx and mixed income housing at Brooklyn’s Wyckoff Gardens.

Some tenants and community-based groups have raised concerns that infill market-rate developments will benefit new residents at the expense of current ones. NYCHA, which said it will engage tenants and add or improve amenities for existing residents, expects developers to participate in forums, hearings, and briefings with tenants, community boards, agencies and to support a “proactive resident engagement framework in keeping residents abreast of development and programs to build safe and connected communities with resources for education, workforce development, health and wellness, as well as environmental sustainability.”

To qualify, developers and managers are expected to have completed or run at least 100 units over the past seven years and must highlight previous experience with an emphasis that “promotes innovation, demonstrates design excellence, fosters cooperation and community collaboration, and provides best-in-class-services.” The developments should also be “exemplary in architectural and urban design,” according to the RFQ.

“MWBEs and nonprofit developers bring added value and expertise that can transform how affordable housing is created on NYCHA developments,” said Ritchie Torres, chairman of the City Council’s Public Housing Committee.

Those who are pre-qualified will be allowed to submit specific proposals in their request for expressions of interest. Responses are due by Oct. 14, and a pre-submission conference is scheduled for Aug. 3 and 4. View the RFQ here.

This article was first published on our sister publication, New York Nonprofit Media, on July 20.