Typically, affordable housing in New York City is built to be affordable only in terms of the first cost, making maintenance and energy costs a burden to first-time home buyers, cooperators, and not-for-profit organizations that own or manage such buildings. Melrose Commons II, a one block grouping of 30 beautiful, highly energy-efficient owner-occupied three family homes, is breaking that mold.

Melrose Commons II began as a challenge that the New York City Partnership set itself in 2000: Could an affordable housing developer, with the assistance of industry professionals, build high-performance affordable housing in New York City that met Energy Star standards? Within two years—with the assistance of banks, government, and a highly motivated developer—that question has been answered with a resounding yes. Melrose Commons II homes are constructed from recycled products and low-toxicity materials and have Energy Star lighting and appliances throughout. Designed for the first-time home buyer, these are the first affordable Energy Star three-family homes in New York State.

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