New supportive housing is coming to the Bronx.
The Bridge, a city leading non-profit provider of housing and mental health services broke ground on its newest residence, 3500 Park Avenue Apartments on July, 12.
Located in Claremont Village, 3500 Park Avenue Apartments will offer 115 units of integrated supportive and affordable housing in an eco-friendly, seven-story building.
The $48 million building will span 67,539 square feet, split between 20,532 square feet of community space and 47,007 square feet of residential space, plans filed with with the NYC Department of Buildings show.
It will also include a lobby, sitting area and activity room on the first floor.
A release from the NYC Housing Conference described the project as “A safe, affordable place to call home and a sense of belonging are basic human rights, but they carry far greater meaning to someone who is coping with mental illness or chronic homelessness. The new development at 3500 Park Avenue in the south Bronx will provide supportive housing with on-site services to formerly homeless individuals with special needs and affordable rental units for the community, offering residents access to critical health services along with quality housing.”
It continued to explain: “The supportive units will serve high-need individuals who are ready to live independently in a residential setting with on-site case managers focused on recovery and self-reliance. All residents will benefit from design features that promote safety and security, and amenities that affirm their dignity and foster pride in where they live. The project will also support resident involvement and community building with participation in tenant committees, cooking and nutritional programs and gardening clubs.”
On-site case management services and programming will support 69 residents including formerly homeless veterans with disabilities, homeless frail/disabled seniors and chronically homeless adults living with mental illness ready to live more independently.
Forty-six units will provide affordable housing to low-income seniors and families living at or below 60% of area median income, as well as a live-in super.
The building will have 24/7 front desk coverage, and will feature energy efficiencies including solar panels.
“We are delighted to celebrate the beginning of construction of The Bridge’s newest and largest residence in the Bronx,” said Susan Wiviott, CEO of The Bridge. “The need for supportive housing in the Bronx and New York City is enormous, and this 115-unit supportive and affordable building is an important step in our effort to meet the needs of vulnerable New Yorkers. We very much appreciate the support of the city, state and our many private partners on this very exciting development project.”
The project was collaboratively funded through a mixture of agencies, including: f NYC HPD Supportive Housing Loan Program, NYS Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation, and NYS Homes and Community Renewal. Leviticus Fund provided an early acquisition loan and Corporation for Supportive Housing, LISC and NYC Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation provided additional predevelopment funds.
The project’s estimated completion is not yet determined.
