Sunset Ridge, a $65 million affordable housing development for seniors in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood, opened on Oct. 31.
The 84-unit complex provides affordable, energy-efficient housing for residents 62 and older and includes a community space that will host five pre-kindergarten classrooms starting in 2025, according to a press release.
The project preserves historic architectural elements from the former Zion Lutheran Church that once stood on the site, bringing a touch of the neighborhood’s history to this new space.
“Sunset Ridge is the embodiment of a multi-generational and community-centered development — one that incorporates the neighborhood’s history with the need for growth and sustainability,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “By investing in new mixed-use projects, we are unlocking a future that is more affordable and more livable, opening up new opportunities for communities to thrive.”
The development, the first of its kind in Sunset Park in more than 15 years, ensures affordability by setting rents at no more than 30% of tenants' income through project-based vouchers. Twenty-six units are reserved for formerly homeless seniors, who will receive social services provided by Bay Ridge Center, including wellness support, case management, and recreational activities.
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas noted the project’s emphasis on both housing and community support.
“Sunset Ridge is giving 84 senior households affordable and modern homes where they can age in place, while also prioritizing the needs of families with a new education space. This $65 million investment will help residents decrease their carbon footprint and provide support for tenants who need it most," she said.
The nine-story complex also includes a 19.8kW solar array, part of its all-electric, energy-efficient design.
“Sunset Ridge shows how sustainable new construction practices and retrofitting existing structures can uplift historically underserved communities by providing affordable, healthy, and comfortable housing and community spaces," said NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris.
The Fifth Avenue Committee, a nonprofit dedicated to community development, led the project alongside partners including the Metropolitan New York Synod, Chase Community Development Banking, and the New York City Schools Construction Authority. The project has been met with praise for its blend of affordable housing, community space, and commitment to environmental sustainability.
“FAC is thrilled to be cutting the ribbon at Sunset Ridge, the first new affordable housing for seniors in the community in over 15 years,” said Fifth Avenue Committee Executive Director Michelle de la Uz. “The project is especially gratifying because it will also have 90-Universal Pre-K seats in the future, representing an important intergenerational resource for the local community.”
