"This is the most ambitious of many affordable housing projects we have at various stages on the drawing board," said Spano. "Through this project many important priorities of my administration come together: building affordable housing, helping our seniors who make up an ever-increasing percentage of our population and revitalizing the Downtown areas of our cities."

The New Rochelle project is the second use of county funds to acquire property for affordable housing. In November, the Westchester County Board of Legislators approved a 9-unit, $400,000 project in Mount Vernon.

As allowed under Spano's New Homes Initiative program and approved Monday (Dec. 18) by the Westchester Board of Legislators, the county will contribute $4,798,000 to acquire the land in New Rochelle, demolish the existing buildings and pay associated soft costs. Once acquisition is completed--by mid-2001--construction can begin. It is anticipated the project will be completed in 2002.