Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas announced Friday a new proposal to develop affordable housing in the city's downtown.

Thomas says the goal is to attract millennials, people who would commute to New York City and senior citizens.

"We are unmatched in our transit options," Thomas says. "Three Metro-North transit stations, two subway stops, nine bus lines, six highways and we are 22 minutes to Grand Central Station."

Each proposed building would go near a train station or bus stop.

"This would be a perfect place," says Larry Fuller, a commuter. "You can get to the city in less than 20 minutes, and I can't see why anybody would pass that up."

The proposal comes at a time when housing prices across the country are skyrocketing -- and after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill providing $2.5 billion to help cities in New York build middle class housing.

Some work may begin within the next few months.