NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) has launched an affordable housing lottery for units at St. Francis Commons, a 7-story, mixed-use building at 1544 Shakespeare Avenue in the Morris Heights section of The Bronx, as reported by YIMBY.

St. Francis Commons is an affordable housing project located in Bronx Community District 5 in the neighborhood of Morris Heights. The building consists of 85 newly constructed units; 45 one-bedroom units, 34 two-bedroom units, and 6 three-bedroom units distributed throughout the seven-story building. St. Francis Commons is closely located to the 4 and D subway stations, as well as the Bx11, Bx18B, and Bx35 buses.

Designed by SLCE Architects and developed by Highbridge Community Development Corporation, the structure yields 110 residential units. Available on NYC Housing Connect, HPD’s online platform, are 85 units for residents earning 30 to 70 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $21,155 to $122,570.

According to HPD, amenities include broadband internet, elevator, on-site card-operated laundry room, and 24-hour security cameras with video monitoring. Units are equipped with large windows, air conditioning, white quartz countertops, white appliances, white subway tile backsplashes, and dark cabinetry and flooring. St. Francis is a non-smoking building and has a no pet policy, with the exception of service animals.

At 30 percent of the AMI, there are seven one-bedroom units with a monthly rent of $532 for residents on incomes ranging from $21,155 to $38,130; four two-bedroom units with a monthly rent of $631 for those with incomes ranging from $25,406 to $45,750; and one three-bedroom unit with a monthly rent of $722 for people on incomes ranging from $29,418 to $52,530.

At 50 percent of the AMI, there are 13 one-bedroom units with a monthly rent of $1,092 for those with incomes ranging from $40,355 to $63,550; ten two-bedroom units with a monthly rent of $1,301 for residents with incomes ranging from $48,378 to $76,250; and one three-bedroom unit with a monthly rent of $1,494 for people on incomes ranging from $55,886 to $87,550.

At 70 percent of the AMI, there are 25 one-bedroom units with a monthly rent of $1,592 for people with incomes ranging from $57,498 to $88,970; 20 two-bedroom units with a monthly rent of $1,901 for residents with incomes ranging from $68,949 to $106,750; and four three-bedroom units with a monthly rent of $2,188 for those on incomes ranging from $79,680 to $122,570.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than Sept. 6, 2023.

According to HPD, the newly constructed units are equipped with large windows, air conditioning unit sleeves, a great deal of closet space, white quartz countertops, sparkling white appliances, and white subway-tile backsplash, rich, dark cabinetry and flooring throughout, as well as “beautiful” bathroom finishes.

Norwood News does not accept, process or refer any applications. For all inquiries, please liaise with NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) (see contacts below) and click here to apply online.

Affordable Housing Lottery Helpline: 212-863-7990
Email: nychousingconnect@hpd.nyc.gov

For information on applying for affordable housing for people with disabilities, please submit accessibility inquiries to:
Phone: 212-863-6486
Email: accessibility@hpd.nyc.gov

HPD Housing Ambassadors
Email: ambassadors@hpd.nyc.gov

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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.