Hunter’s Point South: A key to unlocking more affordable housing in Queens

Queens, NY The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is taking a step in advancing the vision for the Hunter’s Point South neighborhood in Queens. Decades in the making, yet always adapting to New Yorkers’ most pressing needs, the development strategy will transform the sixth vacant site in this neighborhood (known as “Parcel E”) into a new multi-building, mixed-use development with desperately needed affordable homes, as well as market rate homes, commercial space, community facility space, and a publicly accessible open space.

HPD is announcing the release of a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) to bring this plan to life. Long awaited and highly anticipated, this project will build on the progress that the City has made in transforming Hunter’s Point South into a flourishing and sustainable mixed-use, mixed-income community. This will be the sixth parcel developed in Hunter’s Point South as part of a larger plan that has already created over 3,000 new homes, community amenities, two schools, and an 11-acre waterfront park. Responding to an ever-present affordability crisis, HPD is requiring that this forthcoming project provide deeper levels of affordability and more affordable homes compared to previous phases, including at least one 100 percent affordable building. 

“This administration understands that the key to solving the housing crisis is to build more mixed-income housing,” said deputy Mayor for housing, economic development, and workforce Adolfo Carrión Jr. “The Hunter’s Point South Request-for-Proposals will transform a city-owned lot into an asset for Long Island City, delivering hundreds of affordable and market rate homes, along with important amenities that will support the neighborhood. We look forward to receiving innovative proposals that will deliver for Long Island City.” 

"We are thrilled to continue pushing forward this truly groundbreaking effort in Hunter's Point South, which has been decades in the making," said acting commissioner Ahmed Tigani. "With each phase of this project, HPD has worked with the community to hear their needs and adapt plans to meet community goals. New Yorkers are depending on us to make more progress more quickly than ever before and moving forward with the next phase of redeveloping Hunter’s Point South is vitally important to those efforts. We are thrilled to begin the process of soliciting proposals for the site’s future development. This is an exciting opportunity to transform a long-vacant lot into a mixed-use project that provides much-needed housing that serves the broader needs of the community." 

“40% of Long Island City residents are rent-burdened and the neighborhood’s population continues to grow rapidly. Bringing 100% affordable housing and mixed-income housing to Parcel E is a step in the right direction to ensure our neighbors can have a long-term future in this city,” said council member Julie Won. “As the project enters the RFP process, the City must prioritize community input collected in 2024 and ensure our neighbors’ feedback for housing, public amenities, and open space is adequately incorporated.” 

The Vision for Hunter’s Point South and Parcel E Site Details: 

A formerly industrial, 30-acre area along the East River waterfront, Hunter’s Point South was once considered as a potential site for the Olympic Village as part of the City’s unsuccessful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. In 2008, a mixed-use, mixed-income development strategy plan was approved through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). 

The plan envisions approximately 5,000 new homes, approximately 3,000 of which will be affordable and income-restricted to low- and moderate-income households. To cater to all the new and existing community members, the plan also includes new commercial retail and community facility spaces, three new schools, and public and private parks and green spaces. 

The redevelopment of Hunter’s Point South began with the creation of an 11-acre open space, Hunter’s Point South Park, that was built along the East River and Newtown Creek waterfront. The park includes a central green space, playgrounds, sport and recreation facilities, a dog run, and a pavilion with restrooms and concessions. Beyond the park, five out of the seven parcels in the neighborhood have been developed through HPD’s RFP process and include over 3,000 homes (over 2,000 of which are income-restricted). These completed development projects have already brought a variety of new amenities to the neighborhood, including: 

• Multiple grocery stores and markets 
• A daycare 
• An early childhood development center 
• The Queens Landing Boathouse and Environmental Center 
• Flux IV art studio and workspace 
• A children’s clothing store 
• A pharmacy 
• Multiple restaurants 

The development of Parcel E will take Hunter’s Point South one step closer to realizing the plan’s vision and improves upon it by adding not only more community amenities, but more and deeper affordable housing than previously planned. 

Before the RFP: Robust Community Engagement 

The process of bringing new homes and community amenities to this publicly-owned land began with a robust community engagement process and culminated with the creation of a
Community Visioning Report in August of 2024. The community visioning process included a well-attended, in-person workshop, tabling events around the neighborhood with materials in Spanish, Mandarin, Bengali, Tibetan, and English languages, and meetings with the community board and other local stakeholders. 

Over 1,300 New Yorkers responded to the project questionnaire, and while there were many different visions for the site, certain priorities emerged for the affordable homes and community amenities, including: 

• Deeply affordable housing and options that cater to various income levels to ensure inclusivity and diversity within the neighborhood. 
• Larger apartments and appropriate housing options for families with children. 
• More recreational opportunities and green spaces within the community. 
• Community gathering spaces, especially flexible spaces that can be used for a variety of activities. 
• Diverse and affordable retail options that reflect the community’s varied needs and enhance the overall quality of life. 

The development of Parcel E will bring more new homes to the neighborhood, approximately 70% of which will be affordable to and income-restricted to households earning less than 120% of the area median income, developed simultaneously with new commercial retail, community amenity spaces, and an approximately 1,800 square foot publicly accessible open space. 

How to Submit an RFP: 

Interested parties can visit the project website at nyc.gov/hunterspointe and head over to the “Submit an RFP” tab. Scroll down and fill out the contact information form to download the RFP and its accompanying forms and appendices. 

What Happens Next: 

After a proposal is selected, HPD and the development team will continue to provide regular updates to local stakeholders as the selected plan makes its way to breaking ground on the new construction. New Yorkers may continue to stay up to date and engaged with the process by following the progress of the site on the HPD website and on social media @NYCHousing across platforms.?