New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and BFC Partners announced funding of $332.3 million for their Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) project in West Brighton, Staten Island, bringing its total capital investment in the borough to well over $1 billion. Comprised of BFC Partners; CB Emmanuel, a minority-owned business enterprise (MBE); Catholic Homes, a non-profit organization and Pinnacle City Living, the PACT partner team — has converted 16 buildings to project-based Section 8 through the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and will offer comprehensive renovations for over 1,300 residents.
West Brighton is NYCHA’s first PACT on Staten Island. The project will rehabilitate 574 apartments at West Brighton I and II and reactivate 24 vacant units, with 12 restored as permanently affordable residential units and 12 converted into a new senior center to serve the residents of West Brighton. Pinnacle City Living will assume day-to-day property management. Social services will be coordinated by Housing Opportunities Unlimited (HOU).
The debt was provided from a combination of Freddie Mac and the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), as well as a bridge loan provided by Wells Fargo, historic tax credits, city subsidy and sponsor equity.
The PACT partner team formed in 2022 and has worked closely with West Brighton residents to design every aspect of the developments. The buildings will receive both interior and exterior renovations including façade restorations, roof repairs, new security installations, ventilation improvements, refurnished heating and water systems, as well as comprehensive upgrades to the bathrooms and kitchens with new applications, fixtures, countertops and more. In addition to the residential renovations, a new senior center will be developed at 159 Alaska Street. The grounds will be revitalized by new landscaping, lighting, play equipment, seating, enlarged walkways, community gardens, as well as a dog run and screened refuse area.
“We applaud NYCHA for its first financial closing on Staten Island and are so proud to be working hand-in-hand with NYCHA and the PACT Team Partners on this transformational project,” said BFC Partners Principal Joseph Ferrara. “The significant upgrades and overhaul of building systems throughout West Brighton will improve the quality of life for both current residents and future generations of Staten Islanders.”
BFC Partners has strong ties to the community on the North Shore area of Staten Island, and extensive experience with affordable and mixed-income housing. The firm has completed several NYCHA infill and senior development new construction projects, including Stapleton Seniors on Staten Island and Stonewall House in Brooklyn, as well as over 2,200 units of tenant-in-place rehabilitation.
“With the closing of West Brighton, we’re officially bringing the PACT program to Staten Island,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “West Brighton residents — who have been working in close coordination with NYCHA and the PACT partner team throughout the planning phase of the project — will now begin to see the comprehensive renovation process unfold around them. The PACT program has been an invaluable resource for NYCHA to unlock funding and considerably improve residents’ quality of life, and we could not be more pleased to have expanded into all five boroughs.”
