Tenants celebrate affordable housing extension

Some Bronx tenants who were at risk of losing their apartments' affordability status are celebrating upgrades allowing them to continue living in their homes.
There were 613 units in Belmont built as part of a state-funded program in the 1970s for moderate-income families. But when the money ran out, residents feared what would come next.
But tenants at Keith Plaza and Kelly Towers are lauding $14 million in building upgrades that are officially completed. The rest of the money was invested as a promise of continued affordability, preserving the moderate-income affordability status for the next 35 years. It was a partnership between the city and three developers.
One tenants says the much-appreciated changes include new cabinets, heating and cooling systems, bathroom improvements and more.
The units are part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's 10-year plan to preserve the rents of 120,000 apartments throughout the city. Critics of his plan often cite an abundance of moderate-income units, saying there are not enough truly affordable units for New Yorkers living on the lowest incomes.