Board Funds Affordable Senior Housing, Farm Expansion, and Critical Road Repairs
The Westchester County Board of Legislators approved three major initiatives last night: building affordable apartments for seniors in New Rochelle, upgrading a popular Yorktown farm that feeds families and teaches environmental conservation, and repairing heavily travelled roads and bridges in Yonkers.
Board Chairman Vedat Gashi (D- New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said, “I'm proud of the work this Board accomplished last night. We're creating homes so seniors can afford to stay in Westchester and fixing roads and bridges to keep commuters safe. We're also investing in the County’s Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center right in my district—planning upgrades so it can continue connecting families to fresh, locally grown food and supporting environmental restoration projects. We continue to prioritize residents’ needs today while planning for tomorrow.”
Building Homes Seniors Can Afford
A long-vacant corner of New Rochelle is set to become a new home for older adults. Legislators approved the County’s purchase of 438 Main Street, the former site of the historic Union Baptist Church destroyed by fire in 2011. The property will be used to create 114 affordable apartments for residents aged 62 and older.
To bring the project to life, the County will invest up to $4.5 million toward the $5.3 million cost of acquiring the property, with the private developer contributing the remaining $795,000. After the purchase, the County will transfer the land to the developer for $1 so construction can move forward without delay.
When completed, the building will provide stable, affordable homes for low-income seniors, those who earn roughly half of the Area Median Income. The apartments will remain affordable for at least 50 years, and the project will include 45 on-site parking spaces for residents.
Legislator Shanae Williams (D- Yonkers), Chair of the Board’s Housing and Planning Committee, said, “Westchester County senior citizens built this community, and they deserve to age here with dignity. This site—once a cornerstone of faith and community—will now be rebuilt on those same principles, transforming a property that sat vacant for nearly 15 years into a place of peace, comfort, independence, and affordability. This project delivers real solutions, creating homes where older residents can remain in the neighborhoods they love.”
Growing Food and Environmental Champions at Hilltop Hanover
Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center is set to enter a new chapter. The Board approved $5 million to modernize and expand the County-owned farm, strengthening its services to Westchester residents. Hilltop Hanover is more than a working farm; it’s a place where fresh, locally grown produce reaches families across the county and where native plants are cultivated for restoration projects that protect our local environment.
The planned upgrades will allow Hilltop Hanover to broaden its educational programs, increase access to healthy food, and deepen its role as a community hub for environmental learning and connection. The funding will support detailed planning, environmental reviews, and engineering work needed to improve existing buildings, upgrade infrastructure, and add new facilities. Planning is expected to take about two years, followed by roughly three years of construction.
Legislator Erika L. Pierce (D- Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers), Chair of the Board’s Public Works and Transportation Committee, said, “Hilltop Hanover Farm connects us to what matters most—healthy soil, clean water, and the knowledge to protect them. This investment strengthens a place where we grow not just food, but the next generation of environmental stewards through programs that inspire thousands of thousands of people—young and old—each year. In addition to growing food, Hilltop is critical to our county’s efforts to grow and plant native plants here. Through its efforts to collect, store and germinate local native plant seeds for propagation, we're building resilience across Westchester.”
Fixing Critical Roads and Bridges in Yonkers
The Board took another step to keep Westchester moving. Legislators approved amendments to the County’s capital budget and authorized $9.1 million in additional bonds to fund four critical infrastructure projects in Yonkers. The work will include rehabilitation of Tuckahoe Road and three bridges spanning the Bronx River and Bronx River Parkway.
The extra funding became necessary after construction bids came in higher than expected, a trend driven by rising nationwide costs for asphalt, steel, and concrete tied to tariffs and market volatility. When the work is complete, the upgraded roads and bridges will offer safer travel, stronger structures, and longer-lasting routes for the thousands of commuters who rely on them every day.
Watch the full meeting HERE.