The city will transform a long-vacant city-owned site near the Long Island City waterfront into a sprawling mixed-use development that will create almost 1,000 homes across three buildings, two thirds of which will be permanently affordable. State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez said Long Island City is in “desperate need” of more affordable housing developments, stating tha thet Orion can “set the standard” for what affordable housing can look like. “That is why this project will deliver hundreds of truly affordable units, including 149 high-quality apartments for formerly homeless individuals with lifesaving, trauma-informed support services. Assembly Member Claire Valdez, who was not present at Wednesday’s event, said in a statement that she was “thrilled” that the site would be transformed into affordable housing that “Queens families actually need.” “The community advocated for 80-100% affordability like the neighboring public sites in Long Island City which have 75-100% affordability – Gotham Point (75%) and Hunter’s Point South Crossing (100%).