Comunicados de Prensa

As part of his commitment to senior citizens, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi announced today the construction of the Sagrado Corazón residential complex in Arecibo, which will feature 120 housing units financed under the CDBG-DR Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Gap Program.

“My commitment to the reconstruction and modernization of our infrastructure is well known. The renovation of our physical environment is progressing steadily, and we are seeing great progress daily, which includes prioritizing projects to provide decent housing for our residents. We are taking steps to continue increasing the affordable housing stock in Puerto Rico, as this is a commitment of my administration. Today, we see the beginning of housing for our senior population, a project to provide decent housing for our residents,” said Pierluisi, accompanied by Blanca Fernández González, Executive Director of the Housing Finance Authority (AFV), and William Rodríguez Rodríguez, Secretary of the Department of Housing (DV).

For his part, Fernández González commented that, “In compliance with the governor's public policy of contributing to the development of affordable housing for our seniors, we have provided financing for the completion of this important project and thus meet the housing demand in this northern area of ​​the island. At the Housing Finance Authority, we continue working alongside the Department of Housing to ensure that more Puerto Ricans can obtain decent and safe homes.”

Meanwhile, the Secretary of Housing expressed, “We are very excited to continue adding more units to the rental inventory in Puerto Rico. Reaching old age can bring significant challenges, but identifying a safe home shouldn't be one of them, and that's why we continue working. The Sagrado Corazón aegis is another example of the effective use of recovery funds. Our commitment is to continue developing more spaces that provide a safe home for our people.”

Pierluisi explained that this new construction project, located on East Hostos Avenue, in the San Luis neighborhood of Barrio Pueblo, was achieved with a contribution of $27.9 million in recovery funds under the CDBG-DR Program, in addition to $13.3 million in AFV (Venezuelan Family Development Credit) capital ($13.1 million), for a total of $41 million. The six-story building has 120 one-bedroom housing units, all of which will be fully equipped with a refrigerator, stove, and water heater. Of these units, 27 will be designated for people with mobility impairments and four units for people with visual and/or hearing impairments.

The aegis will feature solar panels, a potable water cistern, and two electric generators for common areas and housing units. It will also have a gym, access control, an activity center, laundry facilities, and broadband infrastructure in the building, as well as in the residence halls, and an emergency call system. Furthermore, it meets Green Building standards, as well as accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The project developer is Nature Housing Senior Community Inc. The general contractor is Cidra Excavation, and the project design is being carried out by JVP Engineering, PSC. The LIHTC Program, which has been essential in the development of thousands of affordable housing units in Puerto Rico, aims to encourage new construction and rehabilitation of housing for low- and moderate-income families and seniors. This is achieved by providing the necessary financing to cover the difference between construction costs and other sources of financing, both public and private.

Pierluisi stated that he is promoting legislation to adjust the formula that imposes caps on affordable housing projects to reflect market changes, construction costs due to inflation, and the need to incentivize development.

During his visit to the municipality of Arecibo, the governor delivered more than 10 property titles and construction vouchers to area residents. He also participated in the "Strength for Puerto Rico" Services Fair, held in the municipality of Vega Alta. Dozens of central government agencies participated, offering services to the public. There, Pierluisi, along with Mayor María Vega and agency heads, spoke directly with the public.