Sunflower Way

Sunflower Way is a housing project in the South Bronx, created by the New York City Housing Partnership, to provide 30 three-family homes. Each house includes a three-bedroom owner’s unit plus two rental units. Rental income helps low- to moderate-income families qualify for a mortgage, allowing many to become homeowners for the first time. Homes sold for about $290,000 and were affordable for families earning as little as $35,000 with low mortgage rates.
This was the first affordable housing project to receive the “Energy Star Home” label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Energy and water-saving designs keep utility bills low, saving about $1,500 per year per house. Industrialised construction methods allowed all 30 homes to be built in just 48 days, reducing waste and creating highly energy-efficient buildings that use nearly 88% less energy than typical affordable housing in New York City.
The project was developed with input from residents through surveys and workshops, reflecting their desire for environmentally friendly and affordable homes. Half of the houses were reserved for existing neighbourhood residents, strengthening community ties and supporting local revitalisation.
Sunflower Way demonstrates that affordable housing can also be sustainable and profitable. The project combined public subsidies, private financing, and community participation to keep costs down and long-term affordability high. It has raised the profile of the South Bronx, created a new generation of homeowners, and provided a model for similar energy-efficient housing developments now being planned.