A social services organization recently teamed up with the state and city to build a new housing development.
On Monday, June 6, The Center for Urban Community Services joined the state and city and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch the new supportive housing residence that will continue a trend of rebuilding the lives of homeless Bronxites.
The development, named the Sydelle and located at 600 E. 181st Street, provides 107 units for individuals and families with low income and/or special needs.
The Sydelle offers 42 studios with kitchenettes and bathrooms for homeless individuals with special needs.
It also provides 15 one-bedroom, 4 two-bedroom and 4 three-bedroom apartments for homeless individuals with special needs, along with 27 studios for low-income individuals and 15 apartments for low-income families.
The mixed-use building is a supportive housing program, with 60% of the units reserved for homeless individuals and families with special needs.
The other 40% of the units are intended for low-income families and individuals who are below 60% of the area median income.
The $40 million project, which includes a garden and a computer lab, also includes on-site services such as employment assistance, household management and coaching as well as crisis prevention and intervention.
In addition, primary medical care and psychiatric services will be provided at the residence’s on-site medical suite through CUCS’ Janian Medical Care program, an expansion of CUCS which delivers comprehensive and coordinated care to its individuals.
“This is a great project – one that this community will greatly benefit from,” said Ivine Galarza, district manager of Community Board 6
“Developments like the Sydelle provide life-changing services to people in need – and provide models for supportive housing that we will build on,” Mayor de Blasio added.
“For three decades, CUCS has been committed to helping families and individuals exit homelessness and rise from poverty,” said CUCS’s Tony Hannigan. “Our integrated support services at the Sydelle will help those who now call it home to rebuild their homes.”
Other keynote speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, aside from Hannigan, included Samuel Roberts, commissioner of the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Ann Sullivan, commissioner of the NYS Office of Mental Health, Vicki Been, commissioner of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Gary Belkin, deputy executive commissioner of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Judi Kende, vice president and New York market leader of Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., each of whom represented the organizations that were involved in the project.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a tour was held, where those in attendance had an opportunity to view the furnished units, computer lab and garden.
