The $22 million affordable housing development named Lewisboro Commons, which is on Route 22 in Lewisboro was formally opened with a July 18 ribbon-cutting event. The development contains 42 apartments in six buildings.
William Balter, president of Chappaqua-based Wilder Balter Partners, which developed Lewisboro Commons said, “WBP Development is proud of the collaboration between New York state, Westchester County, the Town of Lewisboro to bring much needed affordable homes for families in Northern Westchester that can benefit from a high-performing school district and in close proximity to major employment centers.”
Balter pointed out that the buildings were designed to be energy efficient and meet New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and LEED for Homes Gold standards with electric heat, air conditioning and hot water systems.
Funding for the project came from several sources including $9.8 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, a $4.2 million subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) and $42,000 from NYSERDA. Westchester County provided $3.4 million, with $2.3 million through its New Homes Land Acquisition Program and $1.1 million from the county’s HOME program. The Community Preservation Corporation is providing a $3.7 million permanent loan.
“This development demonstrates our commitment to making housing affordability a reality for all New Yorkers, especially in places like Westchester County,” HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said. “Lewisboro Commons provides contemporary homes to 42 households while making the surrounding community a more diverse and vibrant place to live.”
Lewisboro Commons is approximately one mile from shopping and the Goldens Bridge Metro-North train station. The development offers shuttle service mornings and evenings to the train station with scheduled trips for shopping and visits to medical facilities.
The apartments are priced to be affordable to households earning at or below 60% of the Westchester Area Median Income. There are 10 one-bedroom, 22 two-bedroom, and 10 three-bedroom apartments. One-bedroom apartments begin at $1,089 per month. Top rents are for three-bedroom units at $1,812 per month. Apartments range in size from approximately 743 square feet to 1,208 square feet. Rents include heat and hot water and the development is pet friendly. Amenities include a community room, wellness rooms, a sports court, children”™s play area, and walking trails.
The Housing Action Council worked with WBP on the development. Rose Noonan, executive director of the Housing Action Council said the organization hopes to work on more developments like it in Northern Westchester.