Sensational Shiloh

Plan for senior apartments in New Rochelle wins approval

By Theresa Juva (The Journal News)

NEW ROCHELLE - A 40-unit affordable housing project for senior citizens was unanimously approved by the Planning Board last week.

Chairman Anthony Carbone said the board felt confident about allowing the project because it is connected with Shiloh Baptist Church, which will offer the one-bedroom rental apartments to seniors for about $490 a month.

"There is certainly a need in that community for affordable housing," he said.

The Elmsford-based developer Westhab Inc. has partnered with Shiloh Community Development Corp. to build the five-story building on Kress Avenue.

Most of the development will be funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

It is one of four projects of its kind in the New York metropolitan area, said the Rev. DeQuincy Hentz, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church.

Hentz said the church has pushed for the apartments since 1999.

"We are elated because it's been a long journey," he said. "We are very excited because we know one of the greatest challenges for people in Westchester is affordable housing.

"There is limited amount of housing, especially for poor people and lower- and middle-class people."

But not all residents have welcomed the plan, which they argued would create too much traffic and strain infrastructure in the neighborhood.

The project also required the City Council to change the zoning on the site.

It was previously designated for buildings no larger than two-family homes.

Councilman Louis Trangucci said he voted against the development at that location because the zoning had already been changed once "to prevent something like this from being built in a residential area."

Hentz said that the demand for affordable housing overrides concerns about overdevelopment but that he is aware of the community's worries.

"The community will be watching at how well we manage and how well we house people. We intend to be a model for other projects that will come into New Rochelle," he said.

He expects the apartments to be completed in 2010.

Eligible applicants will be chosen by lottery.