Habitat Net Zero, a project that aims to bring affordable, eco-friendly homeownership to Southeast Queens, broke ground last week. The kick off was announced by Mayor Eric Adams, who grew up in the area.

The project is part of the Department of Housing Preservation’s Open Door Program, which funds construction for affordable housing for low-, moderate-, and middle-income families across New York City. HPD partnered with New York City Housing Authority and Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County for the project.

A total of 16 houses are planned for the South Jamaica area, including 13 new construction and three rehabilitated properties; 13 vacant and dilapidated properties formerly owned by NYCHA will be demolished to make way for the project, or redeveloped.

This project represents the first new construction of affordable homes where the land will be transferred to the Interboro Community Land Trust to ensure long-term affordability.

Initial sale prices and resale prices will be affordable to low- and moderate-income households. HPD will enter a 40-year regulatory agreement with Interboro CLT, and the CLT will enter into 99-year, renewable ground leases with each homeowner.

All of the houses will meet Passive House standards. Each house will have rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient heat-pump technology for heating and cooling. These features will reduce energy costs and keep the houses at or near net zero energy use, according to the press release.