White Plains, NY…, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that construction has begun on a $40 Million affordable housing development for seniors in White Plains. Mt. Hope Plaza will include 56 affordable apartments, including 20 for those needing supportive services. The development is the result of a partnership with the Mt. Hope A.M.E Zion Church and Community Housing Innovations to construct affordable housing on an underutilized parcel formerly owned by the church. Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith, Senior Pastor of Mt. Hope A.M.E Zion Church, said, “Our seniors are the crown jewels of the community with the greatest need for affordable adequate living accommodations. Unfortunately, they are also the most forgotten. Our mission is, without question, to minimize and/or eliminate this atrocious situation. The Mt. Hope Plaza design will provide a comfortable living space during their maturing golden years.”
The groundbreaking took place on Friday, April 12, 2024. Bishop Dennis Vernon Proctor, Presiding Bishop of the New York District Conference, led the delegation for this historic event, along with Hon. Tom Roach, Mayor City of White Plains; Hon. George Latimer, Westchester County Executive; Hon. Andrea Steward-Cousins, Majority Leader of New York State Senate; Hon. Vadat Gashi, Chair Westchester County Board of Legislatures; Hon. Shelly Meyer, New York State Senator. New York State Assemblyman Chris Burdick congratulated Rev. Smith for his leadership in making the development a reality.
The six-story building is being constructed at 65 Lake Street on a parcel adjacent to Mt. Hope A.M.E Zion Church. The development will include a structured parking garage with 72 spaces, of which 47 will be shared with the church. All 56 apartments are for adults aged 62 and older earning at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income.
There will be 20 units for seniors experiencing homelessness supported by services and operating funding under the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative administered by the New York State Office of Mental Health. The supportive service provider is Community Housing Innovations.
Mt. Hope Plaza will participate in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s New Construction Housing Program and EPA ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction v1.1 Certification, as well as Enterprise Green Communities 2015 Criteria. The building is designed to be all-electric and solar-ready. Residential amenities will include a green roof, a community room, a central laundry room, and free internet to the residents with at least one wired connection in the living room.
Mt. Hope A.M.E. Zion Church is 197 years old and is the oldest African American congregation in Westchester County, New York. It dates back to 1827 when the Quakers of Purchase, New York, liberated the slaves and settled them on the rugged highlands in the Silver Lake section of White Plains, New York. This section was then referred to as “Nigger Hill” because it was the underground slave station and was located north of Horton’s Pond.
Dr. Smith, his wife, Dr. Brenda L.G. Smith, former General Secretary of Christian Education, and the entire congregation of Mt Hope is to be commended for bringing much-needed affordable senior housing to the community.
For more information and updates, contact and/or visit Mt Hope A.M.E. Zion Church, 65 Lake Street, White Plains, NY 10604; PH: (914) 948-6372; FAX: (914) 948-6131; Email: mthopeamezionchurh@gmail.com.
