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So I did my weekly shop at Mauricio's at 108th and First and walked over to Second Avenue to catch the M15 back downtown.
The bus stop is right in front of a VERY large housing complex extending between 106th and 108th and Second and Third Aves.(Office is right at 108th and Second.)
I assumed it was NYCHA but it was nicer than that and the handymen had uniforms that said Franklin-something COOPERATIVE housing. So I asked a couple people if the place was a Mitchell lama Co-op and they said it was.
I think there is no better deal for Joe Median than M-L housing and the co-ops are far better than the rentals.
So I went to the list of Mitchell-Lama complexes to see if the wating list is open and it is... for ALL size apartments (studio, one, two, and three, bedrooms.) I've never been inside but the place was built in 1960 and in 1960 they built apartments with LARGE rooms.
FRANKLIN PLAZA
2085 2nd Avenue
New York, New York 10029
212-369-3303
The neighborhood is not too bad although it is Spanish Harlem. But remember all your neighbors OWN their apartments. You have an M15 bus going down Second Ave. and three buses going North on Third Ave. (M101,102,103) and a crosstown at 106th.
Someday, hopefully soon, a subway will go down Second with a stop likely at 106th and the neighborhood will take off around you...and you will OWN so nobody to price you OUT.
Mitchell Lama typically tops out at about $49K income for one or two people, so a lot more helpful than 80/20's. Typically the cost of a ML co-op is between $10K and $15K with maintenance between $600 and $800 usually includng electricity...best deal in town.
Nothing to be lost by getting on a waiting list although there might be some kind of refundable application fee? Like $50 or $150...not sure.
Good luck and I hope you get called soon. I live in a Mitchell Lama Co-op and although they aren't always the most beautiful buildings from the outside they are generally well maintained on the inside -- and tenets respect the buildings. Being an owner instead of a renter makes all the difference IMO. You also have more freedom to renovate the place if you want.
How does the process work? Do you just write to the address, and request an application? I'd be very interested in this...
You may have to work it a bit because everybody in ML tries to get friends and relatives in. So go to the complex, walk around and see if it suits you, go to the Management Office and sign onto the waiting list (or get an application and mail it in.)
If they tell you that the list is CLOSED, then call HPD and tell them you want onto the list that their website shows as OPEN.
Be pushy and don't take no for an answer. Follow up on everything. Get your wailing list number and call them frequently to see how you are progressing.
If you file for a bunch of them keep good records of every call, your position on waiting list, etc. Get the manager's e-mail addy, verify all phone calls calls with e-mail.
Eventually you will get in and MANY of the problems associated with life in NYC (all housing related) will melt away.
Notice on the big list whether a complex takes federal money or loans. If they DO, they cannot discriminate against anyone because of residency anywhere in USA, If they DO NOT take federal money, they can and WILL restrict admission to New York residents. This is useful info if you live in NJ or CT.
Last edited by Kefir King; 08-04-2012 at 06:21 AM..
I have in laws that live there...I've never been in their apartment but I've walked around the complex and been in 1 of the community rooms a few times.
Franklin Plaza was originally part of NYCHA. They were supposed to be Benjamin Franklin Houses when they were first built, which is why they really look like NYCHA (especially the lobbies). But they switched to Mitchell Lama when they were 1st built, and went co-op. I believe the switch happened before anybody moved in.
__________________
"The man who sleeps on the floor, can never fall out of bed." -Martin Lawrence
Thanks for the background Seventh Floor...so that's co-op since 1960 then.
Did that transition from planned NYCHA happen in any other developments that you knoww of?
Franklin must have been one of the very first since Mitchell-Lama was only conceived in 1955 (The Limited-Profit Housing Companies Act) and lead time for these developments HAS to be a couple years.
Quote:
from Liz:
Thanks, KK! I'm in the process of trying to get myself settled somewhere before the subway is completed
So that probably gives you until about 2030 then.
Let us know how the application process went it you give Franklin Plaza a shot.
Thanks for the background Seventh Floor...so that's co-op since 1960 then.
Did that transition from planned NYCHA happen in any other developments that you knoww of?
Franklin must have been one of the very first since Mitchell-Lama was only conceived in 1955 (The Limited-Profit Housing Companies Act) and lead time for these developments HAS to be a couple years.
So that probably gives you until about 2030 then.
Let us know how the application process went it you give Franklin Plaza a shot.
I don't know of any others. Through recognizing NYCHA architecture, a little research on the Department of Buildings website and a little Googling is how I found out. I will try to do some more research and see if there are any others. I totally forgot about the SAS. That's gonna be a sweet middle class place to live when it's finished. They have a parking lot too.
__________________
"The man who sleeps on the floor, can never fall out of bed." -Martin Lawrence
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