Proposed 9‑story supportive housing at 626 Pelham Parkway South would add 106 affordable units, presenters say

At its Jan. 15 meeting, Community Board 11's Housing & Land Use Committee heard a presentation on a proposed redevelopment at 626 Pelham Parkway South that would demolish the existing structure and build a nine‑story, 106‑unit affordable housing building.

Kyle, representing the project team, told the committee the building would be 100% affordable, with units targeted to individuals earning up to 60% of area median income. "We will construct a new nine‑story affordable housing building with 106 units," he said, describing the project as supportive housing with on‑site social services and a staffed front desk operating 24 hours a day.

Nicole Claire, identified in the meeting as the project's chief real estate development officer, described the unit layout as largely single‑person mini units with private bathrooms and a small kitchenette nook, plus shared kitchens on each floor. She said every tenant would receive a rent‑stabilized lease and that the development would include community rooms, laundry facilities and energy‑efficient systems. Presenters said the mini‑unit model allows a greater number of affordable apartments on the same site than conventional studio layouts.

The presenters said the site was purchased in late February 2025 through an entity named PPS HDFC. They listed initial funding partners and supporters, including the Corporation for Supportive Housing, Nonprofit Finance Fund, Trinity Wall Street and Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation's supportive housing acquisition and rehabilitation program. On‑site services and case management are expected to be funded largely with city and state sources; presenters also said they were pursuing project‑based vouchers and Low‑Income Housing Tax Credits (9% LIHTC).

Project timeline presented to the committee included a Department of Buildings filing this month, a city capital funding application in the following month, fall applications for HPD 9% LIHTC and HHAP, a Department of Buildings approval later in the schedule and a construction closing in fall 2027 with first tenants expected in fall 2029.

Committee members asked how security and neighborhood impacts would be handled. Presenters said the building will have interior and exterior security cameras, 24/7 front desk staff trained in de‑escalation, regular case management, guest sign‑in and perimeter checks. "We want our tenants to be safe, and we also want to demonstrate that we are also a part of the community," Kyle said, adding that staff would be available for neighbors to contact about issues.

Presenters also clarified tenant selection: roughly 60% of units would be filled through the city's coordinated entry referrals (priority placements, including individuals exiting shelters and those with special needs) and 40% through the city's Housing Connect lottery open to citywide applicants. They said no families with children are expected to live in units and that tenants would be adults, with some buildings skewing older in practice.

The project team said they would continue outreach with the council member, borough president's office and community board, offer site tours of comparable projects and return with more details as applications progress to HPD and the Department of Buildings.