Officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, New York state, Westchester County and Yonkers joined with the Mulford Corp. to inaugurate La Mora Senior Housing, one of the few affordable housing projects in the nation that uses energy-saving Passive House design in a modular construction format.
Built at 23 Mulberry St. in the Hollow neighborhood of South Yonkers by nonprofit Mulford, the $48 million, four-story building has 60 apartments.
Passive House design is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency resulting in buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling. It is estimated to achieve 40 to 60% energy savings over a conventional building design.
“The grand opening of this beautiful new senior housing development is yet another example of how the city of Yonkers and the Mulford Corp. are working together to revitalize our neighborhoods with affordable, quality-built housing,” Mayor Mike Spano said. “We applaud the Passive House sustainable design incorporated into the construction, which is in line with the city’s climate action plan for sustainable growth.”
Added Mulford President Wilson Kimball: “The Mulford Corp. is incredibly grateful for the financial support La Mora has received at every level of government from the city, county, state and federal government. Allowing Yonkers’ seniors to age in place in the most resilient housing possible was clearly a collective vision.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “It is so gratifying to see this…development up and ready, just two years after the groundbreaking…. Our thanks to Gov. (Kathy) Hochul, the city of Yonkers, Mulford Corp. and our many partners and trades, who worked with HCR to make this real and are helping us provide the types of housing opportunities that allow more New Yorkers to remain in the communities and neighborhoods they love.”
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins added, “La Mora Senior Apartments will ensure that more low-income seniors in Yonkers have safe, sustainable and affordable housing options along with essential services. This development not only addresses the housing needs of our aging population but also sets a benchmark for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. By integrating advanced design and construction standards, we are ensuring that our seniors can enjoy comfortable, secure and modern homes while contributing to a greener future. I am proud to lead a State Senate dedicated to creating more affordable housing, from approving over $26 million in state funding for this project to the historic housing plan passed in the 2025 State Budget.”
Financing for La Mora Senior Housing includes $17 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $17.7 million in equity and $9.1 million in subsidy from the state’s Homes and Community Renewal. NYSERDA provided $240,000; Westchester County, $3.4 million from the Housing Implementation Fund; and the city of Yonkers, $1,615,000 in HOME funds. Mulford Corp. added a $2.6 million loan.
Designed by the architectural firm Perkins Eastman, the apartments include low-flow plumbing fixtures, Energy Star appliances, individual high-efficiency electric heat and cooling and LED lighting. The building has a high-efficiency envelope, dual-pane insulated windows and a central hot water heating and distribution system. An emergency generator will ensure that the building systems remain operable in the event of a blackout.
In addition to the energy saving features, other amenities include a community room with a kitchen, two business rooms, a fitness center, a central laundry, building-wide WiFi, storage units, a landscaped courtyard and a rooftop deck.
“….This project will transform the lives of tenants who now have access to sustainable housing, along with the essential amenities and resources needed to prosper and thrive,” said Sharmi Sobhan, managing director, Chase Community Development Banking.
“HUD’s primary mission is to improve people’s lives and strengthen communities,” said Regional Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel. “ La Mora Senior Apartments accomplishes both goals.”
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