Ascendant Heritage Apartments

Organization Name: Ascendant Neighborhood Develpment

Project Title: Ascendant Heritage Apartments

Project Location: East Harlem, Manhattan

Project Description:
The Ascendant Heritage Apartments project is a collection of 21 multi-family buildings serving low- and very low- income residents in East Harlem. Ascendant Neighborhood Development (AND) acquired the properties from the City of New York and private owners in the 1990s, and rehabilitated them through a variety of city and state affordable housing programs. In June 2017, AND, MDG Design + Construction, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) announced the closing of Ascendant Heritage Apartment. This $23.95 million project is rehabilitating 359 apartments and six commercial spaces with a focus on sustainability and quality-of-life improvements to ensure the long-term affordability of our residents' homes.

Community Impact:
The rehabilitation, which is at 99% completion, did not require the relocation of any of our residents and their rents will not increase. Renovations include new roofs, windows, and kitchens; energy efficient boilers; upgrades to entryways, lobbies, and public hallways; new intercom and key fob entry systems; and masonry repairs.

Additionally, as part of our renovation strategy, we evaluated opportunities to employ solar technology to take advantage of cost-saving potential and environmental benefits. AND, with the help of Solar One, installed 197 kilowatts-DC of solar capacity across four of the largest buildings, generating approximately 236,840 kwh per year — enough to offset common area electricity usage in those buildings and several others in the Ascendant Heritage Apartment project. As a result, AND will be able to save over $100,000 in energy costs over the next 25 years, which can fund improvements throughout our portfolio while advancing AND's commitment to environmental sustainability and community development.

Organization Description:
Since its founding in 1988, Ascendant Neighborhood Development (AND) has supported the stabilization and growth of East and Central Harlem communities, advocated for preservation of affordable housing, and helped thousands of New Yorkers live with dignity and respect. In those 31 years, AND has renovated and redeveloped 22 vacant and underutilized buildings to provide much-needed housing, built five new buildings - including three buildings exclusively for low-income elders.

Team Members:

MDG Design + Construction
New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC)

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