Topping Off Milestone for Westhab’s New Affordable Rental Building in Yonkers

Today, Westhab marked an important milestone in the construction of Dayspring Commons, a state-of-the-art, 63-unit affordable and supportive residential building in the Nodine Hill neighborhood of Yonkers. 

Normally, this moment would be celebrated with the long-standing tradition of hoisting the building’s final steel beam in the company of the contractors, architects, construction workers, government officials, community members, and supporters who contributed to the success of the project. Unfortunately, due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, this tradition could not be safely observed. Instead, a small gathering was held with Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Westhab President and CEO Rich Nightingale to mark the completion of the Dayspring Commons superstructure.

Set to open in the spring of 2021, Dayspring Commons is part of a larger vision that will simultaneously transform the former Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church building next door into the state-of-the-art Dayspring Community Center. 

The Community Center will feature comprehensive youth and adult education programs, year-round after school and summer youth programming, vocational training and employment counseling, family programming, a food pantry, and more. It will provide a pathway to college, living-wage careers, and long-term success for individuals who want to make positive changes in their lives, but need support to do so. 

The Commons and the Community Center together represent a more than $40 million transformational investment to benefit one of Westchester’s most underserved communities, marking a new chapter of opportunity in Nodine Hill.

A combination of support from public and private investors made the Dayspring vision possible. Financing from the State includes $7.1 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $15.2 million in equity, and a $13.5 million subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). 

The Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative is funding services and rental subsidies for 37 formerly homeless families who will live at Dayspring Commons, including 25 young parents and their children. Westchester County contributed $1.8 million from the New Lands Acquisition Fund, and the City of Yonkers provided more than $1 million to the project. To date, Westhab has raised more than $3 million towards its $5.1 million Dayspring Campaign goal from generous members of the community. 

“Westhab is elated to see the Dayspring vision become a reality. Dayspring represents the culmination of years of community development work, and we can’t wait to open our doors and watch the Nodine Hill community soar to new heights,” said Westhab President and CEO Rich Nightingale. “I also want to express our gratitude to Governor Cuomo and his team at HCR as well as all of the other government officials and private individuals whose dedication and commitment made this day possible.”

“I’m thrilled to see the progress being made on the Dayspring Commons project, which is a win-win for both its prospective residents and the Nodine Hill neighborhood alike,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “Not only will this effort, when complete, provide much-needed affordable and supportive housing for a mix of individuals in Yonkers, but it will also bring a significant asset to all area residents in the form of a brand-new, state-of-the-art community center with a wide range of programming.”

“We are facing a housing crisis, only made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “Dayspring Commons will help our economic recovery in Yonkers by offering residents more affordable and supportive housing units. The State helped support the project, recognizing the immediate needs of the community. Thank you to Westhab, and all my partners in government for your hard work to advance this needed housing development.” 

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Dayspring Commons will transform the lives of its future residents and we are excited to see construction progressing despite this year’s challenges. It is a concrete example of Governor Cuomo’s commitment to providing affordable housing opportunities and supportive services to our fellow New Yorkers who have experienced homelessness so they can live independently. We are proud to partner with Westhab and our colleagues at the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance on this development which will offer 63 apartments, strengthen the Nodine Hill community and further our ongoing revitalization efforts in Yonkers.”

“Housing is a human right, but a shortage of affordable units and years of ignoring this crisis has made housing a collective trauma for our most vulnerable communities,” added Congressman-elect Jamaal Bowman. “We have parents who are losing their jobs, families who are food insecure, and whole communities who have been severely rent-burdened for decades. These new affordable housing units at Dayspring Commons, along with a Community Center with comprehensive youth and adult education programs, is exactly the type of innovative vision we need to address the intersectional crises that families are facing here in Westchester County.”