A shelter at 1605 Nelson Ave. in Morris Heights will soon undergo a major makeover as a local nonprofit and developer team up to transform it into permanent supportive housing.
BronxWorks, in partnership with Slate Property Group, will convert the existing Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelter into at least 129 affordable apartments, with 91 designated as supportive units for formerly homeless people.
The gut-renovated site will also include outdoor green space, all-electric systems, new elevators, improved ADA accessibility and a licensed early childhood education center on the ground floor, open to building residents and neighbors. BronxWorks will provide onsite supportive services, including case management, behavioral and mental health support, benefits navigation, financial management and connections to medical and community partners.
After the conversion, BronxWorks, which has already operated the shelter since 1992, will take sole ownership of the site.
The transformation is part of the city’s 15/15 supportive housing initiative, first established in the de Blasio administration in 2015 with the goal of creating 15,000 supportive units in 15 years.
Amid today’s low housing vacancy rates, city agencies have looked for ways to transform existing city-owned buildings and land into new housing. To expedite the process, the city has created a pipeline of nonprofit sponsors, such as BronxWorks, that can take on specific projects as they arise.
“We’re confronting the [homelessness] crisis by focusing on the future, not the past,” said Acting HPD Commissioner Ahmed Tigani in a statement. “For 1605 Nelson, that means turning the page on its past as a temporary shelter and creating permanent, affordable homes for New Yorkers currently living without that permanency for themselves and their families.”
“BronxWorks is thrilled that this transformative project is moving forward as we work with our partners to develop more housing for the communities we serve,” said CEO Eileen Torres in a statement. “The building will be completely reimagined and feature vital supportive services to lift lives and build futures for our Bronx neighbors.”
As the 15/15 initiative keeps rolling, Mayor Eric Adams announced April 28 that he is shifting the deadline ahead to 2028 and focusing on creating units within congregate settings like 1605 Nelson Ave., rather than placing individuals in scattered private apartments where they would receive supportive services in another location.
The city is already on track to meet the 15/15 initiative’s goal for congregate units but lags behind in scattered units, according to Adams, who said the city will invest an additional $46 million in expense funding over several fiscal years to finance 5,850 congregate units.
The Morris Heights project is currently in the predevelopment process, which will include engagement with the community to hear their visions for the site, according to an HPD spokesperson. After that, the public approvals process known as ULURP will begin.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
