A groundbreaking ceremony was held for an upcoming $162 million affordable and supportive housing development at 521 E. Tremont Ave. in the East Tremont/Crotona neighborhoods that will feature 213 units on Thursday, April 23.
The building is being developed by Mega Contracting Group, Community Healthcare Network and Community Access, a nonprofit that works to expand opportunities for people with mental health concerns to recover from trauma and discrimination through affordable housing, training, advocacy and healing-focused services.
Among the elected officials on hand for the groundbreaking were Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia, Council Member Oswald Feliz and State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda.
“We are grateful for our partners at HPD, Richman Housing Capital, TD Bank and KeyBank for making this vision a reality,” Mega Contracting Group Principal Emanuel Kokinakis said.
“Our team worked closely with the Community Board, Borough President and Council Member [Oswald] Feliz on this project, and we are eager to welcome residents into their new homes and bring back CHN bigger and better than ever.”
A mix of affordable and supportive housing will be provided by this development to income-eligible individuals and families, as well as those living with mental health concerns who have experienced homelessness. In addition to the 213 housing units, the building will also feature ground-floor retail space.
Another notable feature of the development is a new, state-of-the-art medical space operated by Community Healthcare Network’s Tremont Health Center. This space will include 12 exam rooms and three dental suites.
“Community Access is proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of 521 E. Tremont Ave. We’re excited to work with our co-developers, Mega Group and Community Healthcare Network, to bring 213 new affordable and supported homes to this neighborhood,” Community Access CEO Cal Hedigan said.
“We are particularly excited to have a state-of-the- art health center as part of the development – this will be a boon to residents and to the neighborhood in general. At Community Access, we believe housing is a human right. Access to a stable, affordable home creates the conditions for people to pursue their goals, strengthen community connections and move forward with dignity. This development represents an important step toward a more just and inclusive New York City.”
Comprehensive on-site support services will be accessible to residents of 521 E. Tremont Ave. These services include counseling, group programming, crisis intervention and connections to community-based health and mental health care. Additionally, there will also be services available to support education, employment and long-term well-being.
“Stable housing is the foundation of health. At 521 E. Tremont Ave., we’re enabling hundreds of individuals and families to finally live in safe, affordable homes of their own,” New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Deputy Commissioner of Development Patrick Love said.
“By pairing new housing with mental health services, we can provide care and stability to residents who have struggled for too long. This project is a model of delivering healthcare alongside housing, and we’re committed to bringing this model to more neighborhoods across our city.”
This development is meant to foster community, wellness and opportunity.
“The groundbreaking at 521 E. Tremont Ave. marks an important step toward providing access to safe, stable housing and the support services every Bronx resident deserves,” Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said.
“Bringing together affordable and supportive housing with expanded healthcare services reflects the kind of holistic, community-centered investment our borough needs. Thank you to Community Access, Mega Group, Community Healthcare Network and our city and state partners for continuing to invest in the Bronx and the well-being of our residents.”
Amenities at the building that will be available to residents will include a community room, a fitness center, a computer and library space, laundry facilities and bike storage.
“I was proud to join Community Access, Mega Group and Community Healthcare Network to break ground on a $162 million development right here in the Bronx,” Assemblymember Tapia said.
“This project will create 213 units of affordable and supportive housing while expanding access to critical healthcare services. It’s a powerful example of what we can achieve when we come together to invest in our communities and ensure every family has the opportunity to live with dignity.”
“In the midst of the current housing crisis, I am beyond proud of the work that has been done to bring more affordable housing units to our community,” Council Member Feliz said.
“Our families deserve access to stability and a place to thrive, and this groundbreaking represents the continuous investments made to make that a reality. I look forward to continuing to work in the development of this project, which will also bring a healthcare facility and community space, for the people of the Bronx, and most importantly, for the residents of East Tremont.”
“Today marks more than the start of construction: we are advancing a vision grounded in dignity, hope and renewed opportunity for our families in great need of access to affordable housing,” State Senator Sepúlveda said.
“With the creation of 213 units of affordable and supportive housing, alongside the expansion of essential on-site health services, we send the clear message that housing is a human right, not a privilege. I was proud to award Community Healthcare Network with $500,000 for this project, which reaffirms my commitment to healthcare and affordable housing. This project shows what is possible when we center people, strengthen partnerships and work toward a Bronx that is more just, more inclusive and more sustainable for generations to come.”
