|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Ekos Pembroke Park breaks ground under Florida’s Live Local Act to deliver 150 affordable units in Broward County
McDowell Housing Partners (MHP), a leading affordable housing developer and investment company, and Miami Jewish Health, a leader in senior health and living, held the official groundbreaking ceremony of Ekos Pembroke Park, a 150-unit affordable senior housing community in Pembroke Park, Florida.
“Ekos Pembroke Park is our second affordable community in Broward County with 150 apartments for seniors that will also provide direct access to supportive services to help residents thrive and age in place with dignity,” said Patrick McDowell, Chairman & CEO of McDowell Housing Partners. “Ekos Pembroke Park is a truly affordable housing development that will alleviate Florida’s affordable housing shortfall.”
The groundbreaking ceremony was well attended by representatives from McDowell Housing Partners, Chairman & CEO W. Patrick McDowell and President Christopher Shear; honorary guests included Commissioner Nan Rich, District 1 Commissioner, Broward County; Lisa Wight, Senior Program Project Coordinator, Housing Finance Authority of Broward County; Dana Kulvin, Chief Business Strategist & General Counsel, Miami Jewish Health; Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Fieldstone, Board Chair, Miami Jewish Health; Jim Spound President & Chief Executive Officer, R4 Capital Funding LLC; Dustin Dubois, President of JWR Construction Services Inc. and Rabbi Arielle Shimko.
Miami Jewish Health is honored to be the not-for-profit sponsor of a project that addresses the affordable housing needs of aging adults and aligns seamlessly with our mission to enrich their lives,” said Dana Kulvin, JD, MPH, chief business strategist and general counsel for Miami Jewish Health. “By meeting the demand for an affordable senior living community, we are alleviating some of the financial stresses felt by so many in South Florida while at the same time creating a vibrant living experience that supports the health and well-being of our seniors.”
As the developer continues expanding its footprint across Florida, Ekos Pembroke Park represents Miami-based McDowell Housing Partners’ 16th affordable housing project to start construction in the state of Florida, and its second development in Broward County.
The ceremony comes on the heels of McDowell and Miami Jewish Health’s near completion of Douglas Gardens Residences, a 410-unit, new community in Pembroke Pines that serves as the largest affordable living development for seniors in Broward County, providing desperately needed senior housing for households making between 30-100% of the Area Median Income and a brand new Florida PACE Centers site. Ekos Pembroke Park is the first Live Local development in the Town of Pembroke Park.
Located at 5595 S.W. 41st, Ekos Pembroke Park will deliver 150 well-appointed one-bedroom units ranging from 657 to 680 square feet within a 10-story residential building. Ekos Pembroke Park will provide desperately needed housing options to Broward County’s seniors earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The homes will feature kitchens with stainless steel appliance packages, granite countertops, tile backsplashes, Energy Star ceiling fans with lighting in bedrooms and living rooms in all units.
Ekos Pembroke Park will be a certified Silver level under the Florida Green Building Council’s program. Each spacious apartment will offer many energy efficiency features, including Energy Star-rated appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures, LED lighting, and more.
Resident amenities will include an on-site management office, clubroom, fitness, package lockers, and bike storage. In addition, the community will feature six EV car charging stations.
A commercial space will be leased to the nonprofit organization Area Agency on Aging of Broward County, which will house an on-site office to offer supportive services to older adult residents aged 60 or older.
Financing for the $64.68 million development was made possible by an issuance of tax-exempt bonds and subordinate HOME – ARP loan from the Housing Finance Authority of Broward County; a subordinate Live Local State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) from the Florida Housing Finance Corp.; LIHTC equity from US Bancorp; and senior construction and permanent loans from R4 Capital.
The project team for Ekos Pembroke Park includes JWR Construction as the general contractor, Reprtwar as the architect of record, and HSQ Group as the civil engineer. Miami Jewish Health is Co-Developer and Co-Owner of this project. Ekos Pembroke Park is expected to be completed by summer 2027.
About McDowell Housing Partners
McDowell Housing Partners (MHP) is a leading investor and developer of affordable housing. Founded in 2019, MHP has quickly established itself as a major player in the industry, earning a ranking of 27th nationally by Affordable Housing Finance. The company has successfully secured competitive funding for 22 new affordable communities, providing over 3,100 units across Florida and Texas. With a vertically integrated team, MHP works closely with local governments and community stakeholders to tackle the critical shortage of high-quality affordable housing. MHP’s mission is to ensure access to safe, stable, and affordable housing options for families and seniors, regardless of socioeconomic status.
For more information, visit www.mcdhousing.com.
About Miami Jewish Health
Miami Jewish Health has been a trusted provider of senior living and healthcare services for more than 85 years. On our main Miami campus, we offer a full continuum of care and service including independent living, assisted living, long-term care, memory care through a state-sponsored memory disorder clinic, MIND Institute, short-term skilled nursing & rehabilitation, and outpatient physician and rehab services. Florida PACE Centers (operated by Miami Jewish Health) also has a location on the main Miami campus, in addition to four other sites throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. We also have a campus in Pembroke Pines offering affordable housing for seniors with two new buildings under construction.
For more information, visit www.miamijewishhealth.org.
