Selfhelp Opens High-Tech Affordable Housing Property

A host of technology solutions, an energy-saving design, and a 9,000-square-foot federally qualified health center are among the amenities that CAST Patron Selfhelp Community Services is offering to older residents of its newest affordable housing property. The 92-unit apartment building opened on Sept. 23.

Local officials who were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony expressed the hope that the $21 million development would serve as a model for future affordable housing properties in New York.

The new development, called “Selfhelp K-VII,” is the seventh affordable senior housing building that Selfhelp has built on its Flushing campus, according to the Queen's Chronicle.

Virtual Senior Center

K-VII features the Virtual Senior Center (VSC) program that Selfhelp originally launched in 2010 with support from the New York City Department for the Aging, New York City Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications, and Microsoft.

The interactive technology enables homebound seniors to communicate with friends and family members and to participate in:

• Live events at area museums.
• Wellness classes.
• Courses on building self-esteem, managing finances, and using computers.
• Support groups.
• Discussion groups on current events.

Other Built-In Technology

Each resident of Selfhelp K-VII lives in a computer-ready apartment and has access to remote monitoring technology. In addition, the building’s community spaces feature:

• Video chat-enabled computer workstations.
• Brain fitness and cognitive stimulation/strengthening units.
• Physical exercise equipment.
• Health screening kiosks.

A social worker based in the building helps residents use the technology available to them.

Green Technology

Selfhelp K-VII also has a variety of earth-friendly features, according to Multi-Housing News. Those features include:

• A rooftop garden.
• A waste management plan that diverts at least 25% of debris from the landfill.
• Roofing material that meets Energy Star standards.
• Timers on exterior lighting.
• Recycled content materials, such as acoustic tile, ceramic tile and drywall. 

“This building is proof that smart, green technology-enhanced residences can be developed within the constraints of affordable programs,” says Raymond Schrag, president of Selfhelp’s board of directors.