Sunnyside Community Services (SCS), a leading social provider in Western Queens, recently announced a new initiative to create an affordable housing community for older adults in Queens. The building will expand both the organization’s physical presence and its range of services in the area.
“New York City poses significant challenges for those seeking affordable housing,” said Judy Zangwill, Executive Director of SCS. “This is especially true for older adults with limited incomes. This project will help ease the financial strain for some of our older residents, allowing them to remain in the city they love.”
The new building, named the David & Dina Otterman House, will be located on 45th Street in Sunnyside, Queens, a few blocks from SCS’s main site on 39th Street. The lot was generously donated by Harry Otterman of Norcor Management Corp.
“As a longtime businessman in Western Queens, I could not think of a better way to help the community than to house senior citizens in need,” said Mr. Otterman.
Preliminary architectural renderings by Purpose by Design Architects, PLLC envision a nine-story apartment building with approximately 61 units: 40 studio apartments, 20 one-bedroom apartments, and a two-bedroom unit designated for the superintendent. Additional features aim to create a community-centric environment with a spacious 760-square-foot lobby, a 660-square-foot community room, a 7,000-square-foot community facility, a rear yard, laundry room, exercise room, roof terraces with outdoor seating, and a solar array on the main roof.
“I am very excited to be part of the team working to bring this project to reality,” said Lisa Deller, President of the Board of Directors for SCS. “The David & Dina Otterman House will be a beautiful addition to the neighborhood. The apartments will honor the neighborhood’s historic character with natural plantings, ample natural light, common areas for socializing, and inviting green building elements and will make this a wonderful location for older adults to spend their golden years.”
This year marks SCS’s 50th anniversary. The organization was founded in 1974 as a small senior center. Today, SCS serves more than 16,000 people each year with a variety of programs including pre-K, college and career readiness, community centers for youth and families, ESOL classes, immigrant services, home care, home health aide training, a vibrant center for older adults, services for individuals with Alzheimer’s, an elder justice program, and supports for caregivers. SCS has offices in both Sunnyside and Long Island City, Queens. The organization also runs programs in other locations in Western Queens, including community initiatives at Woodside Houses Community Center in Woodside; high school programs at Queens Technical High School and at Aviation High School in Long Island City; SCS Beacon Community Centers at I.S. 5 in Elmhurst and P.S. 343 in Sunnyside; after-school programs in Sunnyside, Elmhurst, and Woodside; and pre-K and 3-K classrooms in Sunnyside.