VIP Community Services holds ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate opening of 59 low-income housing units

The Bronx-based VIP Community Services held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of 59 low-income units at 4427 White Plains Rd. on Thursday, Sept. 19.

The ribbon was cut by New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park (left, with scissors) and VIP Community Services President/Chief Executive Officer Debbian Fletcher-Blake (right, with scissors). Photo by Jewel Webber

The units will be occupied by people who were previously staying at homeless shelters across New York City.

(Left to right) VIP Community Services Senior Vice President and Chief Vocational and Community Affairs Officer Carmen Rivera, VIP Community Services Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Inez Sieben, tenant Amir Krigger, VIP Community Services President / Chief Executive Officer Debbian Fletcher-Blake and VIP Community Services Executive Vice President/ Chief Operations Officer Opal Dunstan. Photo by Jewel Webber

Those on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park, were also given a tour of one of the vacant apartments.

New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park speaking to all present about this momentous event. Photo by Jewel Webber

(Left to right) Shannon Chang, Tahisha Lue-Hing, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L Gibson, VIP Community Services Assistant Vice President of Housing and Shelter Dana Coleman and VIP Community Services Director of Housing Janette Viera. Photo by Jewel Webber

Park, whose NYC services branch oversees the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), emphasized the importance of units like this, which provide much-needed housing to those most in need. This point was reiterated by tenants of the new facility, Amir Krigger and Olga Padilla, who talked about their struggles with homelessness, shelters and now having a home.