Apply for unquestionably affordable senior apartments through April 15
“Look at that sky, life’s begun — nights are warm and the days are young,” wrote David Bowie in his song “Golden Years”.
For those who will spend their golden years (at least one member of a household needs to be 62 or older) at Rheingold Senior Residences (15 Monteith Street) there are many places to look at the sky, and what a view it is. When looking at this building’s view to the northwest the Manhattan skyline spans from the Empire State Building to all the skyscrapers of the Upper East Side; you’ll see the Queensboro Bridge and the emerging skyline of Long Island City. Some will have this view from their one-bedroom or studio apartments, but all can catch it from the roof.
“Nights are warm” as heat is included (as is water), and there is climate control in the units. Electricity is paid for by the tenants, but costs are lower due to the building’s energy efficient design. The roof includes a solar canopy, which in addition to generating power will shade part of the recreational roof space. The solar panels’ capacity projects a 44% energy‐cost savings. The building also offers “superior indoor air quality through its highly efficient mechanical systems, robust building envelope, and meticulous choice of materials”. A building envelope includes the exterior walls, foundations, roof, windows and doors. Effective building envelopes reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. The building’s design won a won a NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence Award.
“We are expecting the solar array to generate roughly 45,000–50,000 kWh per year. Based on the elevated electricity rates we’ve been seeing, this could amount to a yearly savings upwards of $10,000–$12,000,” stated Bright Power.
The building features common day‐lit lounges close to the elevators on each upper floor, and a larger community room on the first floor. Sun streams through walls of windows; this literally brightens the mood. These spaces are created to encourage social interaction, connection to the world outside, and an active lifestyle. When utilized seniors will benefit from a “the days are young” feeling these areas inspire. Magnusson Architecture and Planning are the architects for the project.
“The opportunity to be part of a development that houses 93 seniors in our community is an absolute honor. Our organization’s commitment to seniors and their well-being is directly linked to our mission of working on behalf of the most vulnerable in our community. The seniors in this building will live in a beautiful and thoughtful built environment,” said Juan Ramos, executive director of Southside United HDFC–Los Sures.
Los Sures is the developer of Rheingold Senior Residences, and this project is the result of years of hard work and activism on the part of Los Sures and co-developer partner Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH) in their fight for affordable housing and equity in North Brooklyn.
Interested individuals or households who have at least one member that is 62-years old or older at the time of application and meet the income and household size can apply for the new apartments at Rheingold Senior Residences by April 15. Individuals or households must qualify for Section 8 and eligible households will pay 30% of their income towards rent. Due to the Section 8 and income percentage requirements: a one-person household’s income range is $0–$49,450 for a studio or one-bedroom; a two-person household’s income range is $0–$56,500 for a studio or one-bedroom; and a three-person household’s income range for a one-bedroom is $0– $63,550. To apply visit: https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/details/4316
Tenants are expected to begin moving in to the building this summer. Los Sures will be holding workshops to assist eligible seniors in getting information on the availability of the apartments and helping them to apply. One such opportunity will be during St. Nicks Alliance’s Affordable Housing Workshop on April 8 from 6 p.m.–8 p.m. at 211 Ainslie Street.
Los Sures and CUFFH broke ground on the development in mid-November 2021. Many community leaders and elected officials, which included Council Member Diana Reyna, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso (NYC Council Member at the time), NYS Assembly Member Maritza Davila, and Evelyn Cruz (representing U.S. Representative Nydia Velazquez) gathered to celebrate building much-needed affordable housing for seniors. Now that it’s a reality the celebration continues.
“Southside United HDFC-Los Sures and partners have brought to life the vision of Rheingold Affordable Senior Residences. This project demonstrates that affordable housing can and must be sustainable and community-focused. It reflects our community’s effective activism, thoughtful design, and commitment to equitable living. As North Brooklyn evolves, and our seniors advocate for their needs, we will continue to create meaningful opportunities to retain residents and support aging in place,” said NYC Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez.
On March 19, to further support aging in place, Gutiérrez introduced a resolution (Res 0278-2024), which supports the passing of NYS Senate Bill S1152/Assembly Bill A3218. This legislation supports seniors’ ability to pay their rent by amending the definition of income for purposes of the senior citizen rent increase exemptions.
Rheingold Senior Residences is funded through New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program with additional capital subsidy from HPD’s Senior Affordable Rental Apartments program. New York City Councilmember Antonio Reynoso and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adam’s contributed a combined total of $7 million in Reso A funds for the Project. JP Morgan Chase is the construction lender and CREA LLC is the syndicator. Rheingold Senior Residences will have a total of 94 residential units including 54 studios, 39 one-bedrooms and 1 Super’s apartment. All units will be for Section 8 eligible seniors; per SARA requirements, 30% will house formerly homeless.
In the Richard Wagner opera Das Rheingold, the Rhinegold was a priceless treasure of magical gold deep in the Rhine river guarded by mythical beings. Then a beer named after this opera was produced in a North Brooklyn brewery from 1883–1974. The area was rezoned in 2013 for housing development and in 2014 Los Sures acquired the deed. Finally, an eight-story building has arisen that will become the treasured and affordable homes of deserving seniors.
Rheingold Senior Residences is located at 15 Monteith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206. For more information or to apply visit: https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/details/4316
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