Construction begins on 164 affordable housing units in Kingston

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Construction has begun on a 164-unit affordable housing project in Kingston. The Golden Hill Apartments, being built at the site of former Ulster County Jail, will feature 20 acres of amenities.

The development will include two mid-rise apartment buildings, four townhomes and a central community building, according to the state Homes and Community Renewal. All units will be affordable to households earning between 30 and 80 percents of the area median income with nearly half of the apartments being reserved for seniors ages 62 and older, and 48 apartments set aside for those who need onsite support services, including survivors of domestic violence and families that have experienced homelessness.

"The Golden Hill development will create more than 160 units of affordable and senior housing, and is exactly what community development should be, reflecting our community’s diversity and serving its diverse needs," Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said. "The project features a climate-responsible design that is energy-efficient, all-electric, and powered with solar, and includes a community garden, supportive on-site services for our most frail seniors, childcare for families, and easy access to public transportation and the beautiful Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. It’s truly a dream project, and we are grateful for the important assistance of the Momentum Fund and Governor Hochul’s leadership, as well as generous support from the State Homeless Housing Assistance Program."

The project is being co-developed by Family of Woodstock and Pennrose. Family of Woodstock will also provide onsite support services including case management, crisis intervention and financial counseling.

Golden Hill will be an all-electric project powered by solar rooftop panels that will generate about 700 kilowatts of solar renewable energy. The units will feature "green design" standards including high-performance windows and providing energy recovery systems for space heating and cooling.

All buildings in the project will also have free broadband internet access. According to a release from the Governor's office, the development will also feature five playgrounds, exercise and recreation spaces, an outdoor plaza and the construction of a community space that will feature a fitness center, childcare facility and a community porch overlooking the development.

"This project demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together to address the housing crisis and prioritize the needs of our community," Peter Criswell, Chair of the Ulster County Legislature said. "I’m grateful to all our partners for their dedication to making this vision a reality."

The site transformation has been in the works since 2020. The $87 million project has received significant state funding including $10 million from the inaugural round of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund and $15 million from the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing Assistance Program.

Homes and Community Renewal is funding the project, however, additional funding for the project comes from federal and state tax credit programs. Kingston will provide a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement at $620 per unit and an $18,000 per year Community Impact Fee with annual increases for the length of the Community Impact Fee and PILOT agreements.

Golden Hill construction is expected to be completed by March 2026. To keep up to date with the developments, visit Pennrose's project website.