Ocean Bay Bayside Apartments

Site Improvements

Following federal disinvestment that dated back to the 1960’s combined with severe damage from Superstorm Sandy, all apartments received much-needed new flooring, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, elevators, security features, and laundry facilities. A basketball court and community garden were included among other new landscaping features, outdoor spaces, and a swell wall to prevent future flooding.  All development and construction was completed on an accelerated timeline, ahead of schedule.

New York’s third largest solar power installation¾a 575-kW solar photovoltaic system that produces enough power to offset the emission from 104 cars each year¾was added as part of the project’s sustainability goals to reduce energy costs for residents. Additional sustainability features included EnergySTAR windows, low-flow fixtures, LED lighting, roof insulation, and individual hydronic boilers on roofs to increase resiliency against future storm damage.

Project Highlights

The development team navigated rigorous guidelines and processes, as this project was New York City’s first and the country’s largest single-site public housing conversion under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. The property helped establish the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program as a huge success.

A core feature of the project involved the development and implementation of a comprehensive social services program tailored to the specific needs of the community as identified through surveys and one-on-one meetings with residents. Successful initiatives have included mental health clinics, head start and young adult internship programs, food pantries, and emergency assistance programs.

The project was a driver of job creation in the community through the contracting of local Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) and hiring of more than 70 NYCHA residents. The project also involved the creation of Renewal Gardens @ Ocean Bay, which consists of 50 family plots within 2,400 square feet of community gardening space.

The project utilized a complex funding structure, including New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) tax-exempt bonds, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Equity, Investment Tax Credit generated from solar, Project-Based Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment through the HUD’s RAD program, and funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for sustainability and resiliency measures.

Project Partners

RDC Development, a joint partnership between MDG and Wavecrest Management

New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

OCV Architects

Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens

Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation

Richman Housing Resources

Citi Community Capital

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)