Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that construction has begun at Opal 115, a 315-unit affordable housing development in the city of Mount Vernon. The $223 million mixed-use development includes a community facility and ground-floor retail space. In the past five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has financed more than 5,200 affordable homes in Westchester County. Opal 115 continues this effort and complements the Governor’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide. Opal 115 is also supported by Empire State Development’s Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund, a $150 million initiative launched by Governor Hochul in 2023 to boost investment in the region’s infrastructure and mixed-use housing supply.
“New York is fighting the housing crisis by creating affordable homes of all shapes and sizes in every region of the state,” Governor Hochul said. “Opal 115 exemplifies our goal of building more family-friendly affordable communities while also revitalizing local economies.”
Apartments at Opal 115 will be reserved for households earning up to 90 percent of the Area Median Income, and is designed to attract working families and help boost the local economy. Nearly half of the project’s 315 apartments will be two- and three-bedroom units. Its two buildings will be located near Mount Vernon West Metro North station, which complements New York State’s efforts to create housing adjacent to public transportation. Opal 115 will feature an 8,300 square-foot basketball court, a playground, 4,800 square-feet of retail space, and a non-profit facility – all of which will be accessible for the entire neighborhood.
Opal 115 will have energy-efficiency features including solar panels on the roof, electric heat pumps and water heaters in each unit, and ENERGY STAR® appliances. It is expected to receive LEED Silver certification and Energy Star Multifamily New Construction certification. The tenants will have a shared community space, courtyard and garden, and fitness center.
Opal 115 is supported by HCR’s Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program that is expected to generate $83 million in equity, $39 million from its New Construction Program, a $38 million First Mortgage from its Housing Finance Agency, and $3.2 million from its Middle-Income Housing Program. Empire State Development awarded the project $8.7 million from the inaugural round of the Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund.
Additionally, the site is participating in the Department of Environmental Conservation's successful Brownfield Cleanup Program and, upon successful completion of environmental cleanup work, will be eligible for $11 million in tax credits to be issued by the New York State Department of Tax and Finance. The project is also supported by $11 million in Westchester County Flex Funding and $6 million in Westchester County New Homes Land Acquisition funding. The project is expected to obtain a 30-year Payment In Lieu of Taxes Agreement with the City of Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency. The PILOT will be calculated at 10% of the project’s Effective Gross Income less utilities.
Opal 115’s lead developer is NRP Group with equity owners Forward Thinkers Development and Grandview Consulting.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said, “Every family in Westchester deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I’ve fought hard to protect and expand the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. Now, it’s delivering millions to make sure Opal 115 can create 300+ new apartments in Mount Vernon. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation so we must build more affordable housing to bring down those high prices. Governor Hochul has done great work to create and preserve affordable homes across the state, and together we will keep working to ensure that everyone in Westchester and across New York State has a roof over their head.”
HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Opal 115 will give more than 300 households the opportunity to enjoy an affordable, modern, and family-friendly home. The State’s $228 million investment here will also improve access to public transit, enhance sustainability, and benefit the surrounding neighborhood for years to come. We thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to improving housing in Westchester County and across the state.”
Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "By investing in Opal 115 through the Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund, we are further supporting Governor Hochul's commitment to building more affordable and accessible housing. This project will create over 300 family-friendly homes with access to public transit and amenities that benefit the entire community, helping to generate new regional economic growth."
Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “New York State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program is a critical tool supporting community revitalization efforts across the state and helping to clean up environmental pollution in underserved communities like Mount Vernon. Once built, the Opal 115 project in Westchester County will be another example of how this successful program is helping advance Governor Hochul’s sustained efforts to increase affordable housing statewide while also supporting DEC’s mission to protect public health and the environment.”
State Senator Jamaal Bailey said, "I extend my gratitude to New York State Homes and Community Renewal for their work in addressing affordable housing. Opal 115, which represents a significant step forward in addressing the need for affordable housing in Mount Vernon. This development provides 315 possible families and individuals with a safe and dignified place to call home and strengthens our community by fostering stability and opportunity. Thank you, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, for your leadership. I am proud to support projects like this that prioritize equity and access for all and look forward to the success of this project."
Assembly Member J. Gary Pretlow said, “Opal 115 will make a significant step forward for our community as we break ground on this vital affordable housing project. This development represents more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a commitment to ensuring that hardworking families in our city have access to safe, stable, and affordable homes. By creating opportunities for housing, we’re fostering stronger neighborhoods, boosting economic growth, and providing a foundation for future generations to thrive. Together, we’re building a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone in our great city of Mount Vernon”
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership in bringing Opal 115 to fruition for the community of Mount Vernon. Westchester was thrilled to partner with the state, supporting the construction by providing $17 million in County funding. Opal 115 will provide hundreds of new, transit-oriented, affordable housing units for residents and families who need it.”
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said, "As the City of Mount Vernon completes Phase 2 of our Comprehensive Plan, developments like the mixed-use building at 115 Macquesten showcase the potential for revitalization around our transit stations. The Mount Vernon West Transit-Oriented Development is a precursor to the comprehensive plan. We are not just constructing buildings; we are creating vibrant spaces that address the needs of our community—offering workforce housing, community centers, gyms, retail spaces, and commercial opportunities. Projects like this, located around the Mount Vernon West train station, embody the true spirit of transit-oriented development: fostering growth, accessibility, and opportunity for all residents. This is the future we envision and are committed to delivering for the people of Mount Vernon."
Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Dr. Marsha Gordon & Dr. Kristine Young said, “Today, as we celebrate the groundbreaking for the construction of more than 300 units of housing in the City of Mount Vernon, we are reminded of the immense need for affordable housing in our region. We congratulate the NRP Group on this transformational project. Featured near the Mount Vernon West Metro North train station, this mixed-use project will attract and retain our workforce, provide housing for our families, and will revitalize the community. The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council is pleased to support this investment that aligns with our goal of setting a foundation for economic growth by investing in infrastructure and housing.”
Jonathan Gertman, Senior Vice President of Development at The NRP Group said, “Opal 115 represents the best of what can be achieved when we unite to address housing affordability and community investment. What was an underutilized site is now being transformed into a vibrant cornerstone of opportunity for Mount Vernon, reflecting both its historic roots and its bright future. With affordable homes, thoughtful design, and excellent access to transit, Opal 115 will connect families to opportunities and strengthen the neighborhood for generations to come.”
Kenneth Plummer, CEO of Forward Thinkers Development said, "The groundbreaking of Opal 115 represents a significant milestone, showcasing the power of collaboration that will result in creating a modern, sustainable, and inclusive community that reflects the evolving needs of current and future Mount Vernon residents. As one of the few minority-owned developers in projects of this scale, we remain committed to delivering high-quality affordable housing that empowers underserved communities while driving real and measurable economic growth. Opal 115 is a testament to the mission of our partners and the countless individuals involved to enhance community living, supporting those who keep Mount Vernon, Westchester County, and New York State strong—our first responders, educators, healthcare workers and other deserving hard-working families."
Steven Horton, President of Grandview Consulting Group said, "The new development on South MacQuesten Parkway creates a triple bottom line for the city. The 315 units addresses the chronic shortage of housing that families can afford, the retail space strengthens the city's tax base through increased sales tax revenue, and the new community center creates a safe and inviting space to engage young people in educational and recreational activities.”
This project complements New York State's $150 million investment and partnership with the City of Mount Vernon and Westchester County to address longstanding environmental justice and water infrastructure concerns. In addition to this investment, HCR’S Office of Resilient Homes and Communities administered the $3 million Mount Vernon Health Homes pilot program that included installing residential sewer-related improvements in neighborhoods at high-risk for wastewater backflow.
Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda
Governor Hochul is committed to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives for Upstate communities, new incentives and relief from certain state-imposed restrictions to create more housing in New York City, a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on state-owned property, an additional $600 million in funding to support a variety of housing developments statewide and new protections for renters and homeowners. In addition, as part of the FY23 Enacted Budget, the Governor announced a five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 50,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.
The FY25 Enacted Budget also strengthened the Pro-Housing Community Program which the Governor launched in 2023. Pro Housing Certification is now a requirement for localities to access up to $650 million in discretionary funding. Currently, more than 230 communities have been certified. Mount Vernon has submitted a Letter of Intent to become certified.
