On Sutphin Boulevard in the heart of Downtown Jamaica, nonprofit developer Breaking Ground is putting the finishing touches on a new 15-story senior building that city and state officials are betting on in a big way. The Sutphin Senior Residence, a 173-unit affordable and supportive housing development, is slated to open in 2026 and will combine apartments, on-site services and a co-located health clinic for older New Yorkers.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards toured the site on Monday, applauding the nonprofit for reserving homes for older adults exiting homelessness. City and state partners describe the project as a long-term housing plan tied directly to health care and social supports so residents can stay housed and stable.
Here on Sutphin Blvd. in Jamaica, @BrGround has just built 173 units of affordable supportive senior housing, with units set aside for homeless New Yorkers. Thank you to Breaking Ground for today's tour of this site, and for all you do to care for the most vulnerable among us. https://x.com/i/status/2028593322026062306
— Donovan Richards Jr. (@qnsbprichards) March 2, 2026
What the building includes
The project at 97-10 Sutphin Boulevard features 173 apartments for low-income seniors inside a 15-story property, with shared amenities that include a fitness room, library and other common spaces. According to Breaking Ground, the building will also include a 15,000-square-foot Federally Qualified Health Center run by the Community Healthcare Network, scheduled to open alongside the residence in 2026.
Supportive units and funding
State officials report that 52 of the apartments are designated as permanent supportive housing for older adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, with supportive services offered on site. The development was first announced at a 2023 groundbreaking and is backed by a mix of state and city financing to lock in those supportive units for the long term. Allocation and financing details are outlined by New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
Applications and eligibility
Breaking Ground held a housing lottery for Sutphin Senior last year. While that formal lottery period has closed, the nonprofit says a waiting list and paper applications are still available. The organization notes that every unit will operate with a project-based Section 8 voucher and tenant rent will be set at 30 percent of adjusted household income. Application instructions and forms are posted by Breaking Ground.
Energy targets and construction progress
The design team is aiming for Passive House energy-efficiency standards and has incorporated features such as a rooftop solar canopy and centralized energy-recovery ventilation. Those measures are intended to cut operational emissions while improving indoor air quality for residents. Construction photos in 2024 showed the facade coming together as the project moved toward its 2026 completion window. New York YIMBY has documented the building’s progress and highlighted its sustainable design elements.
Local reaction
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards used his X account on Monday to spotlight his tour of the Sutphin Senior site, thanking Breaking Ground for “caring for the most vulnerable among us,” according to a post on X. His visit underscores local political backing for developments that bundle housing, health care and social services in Downtown Jamaica. Community advocates say the on-site clinic could make it easier for seniors with chronic conditions to get regular care where they live.
Why it matters
Advocates and government officials argue that permanent supportive housing paired with a co-located health center can help stabilize older New Yorkers and cut the risk of repeated homelessness. The Sutphin Senior Residence is one piece of a broader state and city push to grow the supportive housing supply and expand affordable options for seniors, as described by New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
