Waltemade Residence to provide 102 affordable homes for seniors, as well as 30 supportive units for those experiencing homelessness
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas today announced construction is underway on Waltemade Residence, a $74 million development that will create more than 100 affordable apartments in the city of Mount Vernon, Westchester County. The project is repurposing a four-story building previously used as a skilled nursing facility – in keeping with Governor Kathy Hochul’s goals of providing more stable housing for seniors while addressing the housing and climate crises by renovating existing structures. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, HCR has financed more than 3,900 affordable homes in Westchester County. Waltemade continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s historic five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable units across the state.
“As we work to boost the supply of affordable housing across the state, it’s vitally important New York’s seniors are given the opportunity to remain in the communities they call home,” Governor Hochul said. “Waltemade Residence is one of several important investments we’re making in Mount Vernon and it provides the modern, secure, energy-efficient apartments the city needs today and into the future.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, seniors in Mount Vernon will have an affordable, safe and accessible place to call home on the beautiful Wartburg campus. Thank you to Wartburg and Rockabill Development, as well as County Executive Jenkins and Mayor Patterson-Howard, for helping to repurpose an existing building that will create more than 100 units and enable seniors to age in place in their own community.”
Waltemade Residence will serve residents ages 62 and older with household incomes up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Thirty units will have supportive services for senior residents with chronic conditions or physical disabilities experiencing homelessness through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) under the New York State Department of Health.
The building is on a 34-acre campus run by Wartburg, a non-profit with a 125-year tradition of providing care to seniors. The campus has other independent-living options, in addition to memory care, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, as well as walking paths, garden areas, and a shuttle service for residents to access nearby grocery stores, banks and medical facilities.
Waltemade Residence, co-developed by The Wartburg Residential Community, Inc. and Rockabill Development LLC, will be an all-electric building that will have its own art studio, laundry facilities, and fitness center. Each unit will have access to broadband internet service. The development also includes units that are accessible and equipped for people with mobility impairments, as well as hearing and visual impairments.
This redevelopment coincides with several additional affordable projects being financed by HCR in Mount Vernon, including Opal 115, a 315-unit development being constructed near a rail station, and QWest Towers, two multi-story buildings that will have 229 affordable units.
HCR is supporting the construction of Waltemade Residence with $24.2 million in equity raised through its Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program; $5.4 million in equity raised through its State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program; $2.3 million from the Supportive Housing Opportunity Program, and $12.5 million from the Senior Housing Program. Westchester County’s Housing Flex Fund is also providing just over $8.1 million, as well as $600,000 from Mount Vernon’s HOME fund that is administered by the city’s Urban Renewal Agency.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Governor Hochul’s commitment to energy-efficient, affordable and supportive housing is a tremendous asset for communities across New York. It is essential that aging New Yorkers have the ability to transition comfortably into later stages of life. The numerous independent living options at the Waltemade Residence will help ensure those needs are met.”
Senator Charles Schumer said, “Every family in Mount Vernon deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that I worked hard to protect and expand has delivered millions to help convert a former nursing facility into more than 100 affordable and energy-efficient units. High housing costs are a key driver of inflation so we must build more housing for working people to bring down those high prices. I applaud Governor Hochul’s work increasing access to housing for working families in Mount Vernon and across the Hudson Valley, and I will continue working to deliver federal resources to deliver more affordable housing across New York.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "Our seniors have spent their entire lives contributing to our communities, and they deserve access to high-quality and affordable housing options that allow them to age with dignity. Waltemade Residence will help expand access to supportive services, combat skyrocketing housing costs, and boost Mount Vernon’s economy. I am proud to support this project and will continue fighting for federal resources that help ensure every New Yorker has a place to call home."
Senator Jamaal T. Bailey said, “The Waltemade Residence, in Mount Vernon, is a shining example of how we can meet the urgent housing needs of our seniors with dignity, respect, and care," said "By transforming underutilized space into a place of community, we are not only creating energy-efficient and affordable homes but also honoring the commitment to ensuring every New Yorker has the opportunity to live safely and independently. I’m proud to support this investment in Mount Vernon and thank Governor Hochul, HCR, and all the partners who are bringing this to life."
Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow said, “The Waltemade Residence represents the kind of forward-thinking investment that strengthens Mount Vernon’s future while honoring our seniors. By transforming an underused facility into affordable, energy-efficient housing, this project not only expands access to safe and supportive homes but also revitalizes our community’s infrastructure in a sustainable way. I commend Governor Hochul, and all stakeholders for ensuring that older residents can live with dignity, stability, and the services they deserve right here in Mount Vernon.”
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “Westchester County is proud to support the Waltemade Residence project, which brings critically needed affordable and supportive housing to our senior community. This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that older adults in Mount Vernon and throughout the County can live with dignity, stability and access to the care they deserve. By repurposing existing structures and embracing sustainable design, we are setting a standard for how we can meet housing needs while addressing our goals for the environment. We thank Governor Hochul for her continued leadership and partnership, and for making projects like this possible for our residents.”
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard said, "The Waltemade Residence embodies what progress looks like in Mount Vernon—preserving our history while creating opportunity for our seniors to live with dignity, stability, and support. Through strong partnerships with Wartburg, Westchester County, New York State, and the Urban Renewal Agency, which provided critical funding, we’re demonstrating how innovation and compassion can come together to build a city that truly cares for its people."
Wartburg President and CEO Dr. David Gentner said, "We are grateful that our public and private sector partners share our vision to reposition senior care and housing while strengthening the existing infrastructure. As we begin renovations, we celebrate an exciting milestone in our vision to serve future generations of seniors with access to the housing and support they need."
Rockabill Managing Principal Niall Murray said, “We are grateful for the trust that Wartburg Lutheran has placed in Rockabill to be able to bring the Waltemade building back to life as an asset to this regionally significant senior campus. We are thankful to our financing partners at New York State Housing and Community Renewal, Westchester County, the city of Mount Vernon and to our private sector investors and lenders for their financial support to be able to make this a reality.”
Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda
Governor Hochul is dedicated 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, capital funding, and new protections for renters and homeowners. Building on this commitment, the FY26 Enacted Budget includes more than $1.5 billion in new State funding for housing, a Housing Access Voucher pilot program, and new policies to improve affordability for tenants and homebuyers. These measures complement the Governor’s five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan, included in the FY23 Enacted Budget, 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 68,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.
The FY25 and FY26 Enacted Budgets also strengthened the Governor’s Pro-Housing Community Program — which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. Currently, more than 360 communities have received Pro-Housing certification, including the city of Mount Vernon.
