Queens, NY – July 7, 2025 — Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities, Inc., the oldest Black-founded and Black-led nonprofit in Queens, joined with development and financial partners to proudly announce the official groundbreaking of a transformative, new, affordable housing development, located at 43-12 50th Street in Sunnyside, Queens. Today’s ceremony marks a major milestone in the organization’s continued commitment to expanding access to housing and critical wraparound services in underserved communities.
The $51.5 million project will deliver 55 new affordable homes to the neighborhood, including eight studios, 29 one-bedroom units, 16 two-bedroom units, and one three-bedroom apartment, along with one superintendent’s unit. These apartments will provide rents that are affordable to New Yorkers earning 60%, 80%, and 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Sixteen percent of the units will be set aside for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness through the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) ‘Our Space’ program, which funds light-touch services for households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Prioritizing long-term resident stability, the building will also house an on-site community space and offer wraparound services coordinated by Elmcor, including behavioral health support, workforce development, and youth and family services to support continued growth and success.
“Affordable housing is about building community and investing in the dignity and future of every resident,” said Elmcor CEO Saeeda Dunston. “Safe, affordable housing is a public health intervention, an economic engine, and a foundation for generational wellbeing. At Elmcor, we believe in investing in people. This project brings our mission to life by connecting housing with the support systems residents need to thrive.”
“We are so proud to have achieved this milestone alongside our development partners and look forward to welcoming residents into a vibrant building community,” said Anivelca Cordova, Principal at Lemle & Wolff. “We thank our government partners, HPD, and the rest of the lenders and investors that have joined us and supported this project.”
“I couldn’t be happier to see Sunnyside take such a big step forward today,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “With today’s groundbreaking we move that much closer to bringing this 55-unit affordable housing development into reality. This project will help us make a much-needed dent in the severe housing shortage that is impacting every facet of life here in Queens and throughout our city. I am very proud to have provided $1 million in support to this project, and I commend Elmcor and all those who are working so hard to bring this development to fruition.”
“Affordable housing is more than just a place to lay one’s head,” said Baaba Halm, interim co-president of Solutions Division and senior vice president of programs for Enterprise Community Partners. “By integrating on site social services for youth and families, workforce development programming, and community space with 55 new affordable homes, our partners at Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities and Lemle & Wolff have demonstrated that. These units are available at a range of income levels to meet the needs of the community, and feature family-size apartments and units set aside for people experiencing homelessness. We join in celebrating today’s exciting milestone.”
“Congratulations to Elmcor on the ground breaking of their 55-unit affordable housing building,” said Council Member Julie Won. “This project brings much-needed housing to our community, with real support for families, working people, and those who have experienced homelessness. I’m glad to see this investment move forward and grateful to all the partners working to make sure that Queens remains a place where people can build their futures.”
“Building affordable housing in our city takes a village – it takes a community willing to say yes to housing that serves people from all walks of life, elected officials who fight for affordability, and partners who invest in residents long after the ribbon is cut,” said Acting New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Ahmed Tigani.
“Today, alongside our incredible partners from the supportive services and developer communities, we are doing just that. We are bringing 55 new affordable homes to Sunnyside, a neighborhood where affordability is needed, and we are advancing our mission of ensuring that every New Yorker in every neighborhood has a safe, affordable place to call home.”
“We are excited to work with Lemle & Wolff and Elmcor to help provide stable and supportive affordable housing to the Sunnyside neighborhood,” said Caroline Araujo, Mortgage Officer, the Community Preservation Corporation. “In the face of a historic housing affordability crisis, it is more important than ever to continue to work with our partners to invest in addressing the unique housing needs of communities across our city. We want to thank Elmcor, HPD, Lemle & Wolff, Zone 12 LLC, Sarana Development, and all the partners who helped make this important project a reality.”
This project is made possible through a broad coalition of public and private funding partners. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) provided $27.4 million in financing, while the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) contributed a $12.29 million construction loan and a $7.69 million permanent loan insured by SONYMA and funded through its partnership with the New York City Retirement Systems (NYCRS). Additional support includes RESO A funding from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, $1.7 million in capital funding from City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and contributions from Enterprise and Webster Bank.
The development is co-developed by Lemle & Wolff Companies, Sarana Development Group, Zone 12 LLC and Elmcor. Lemle & Wolff Construction Corp. serves as the general contractor, with Lemle & Wolff, Inc. overseeing property management.
The design team includes STAT Architecture, Ettinger Engineering Associates, CityScape Engineering, Langan, and Cerami & Associates, whose collective expertise will ensure that the building is integrated into the fabric of the neighborhood, while promoting safety, sustainability, and comfort.
Several local elected officials, community partners, and residents gathered for this morning’s celebration to underscore the importance of collaborative, community-rooted solutions to the city’s housing crisis.