Newsfeed Category: New York City

Guest Blog: Nixon Peabody on Mod Rehab and Rental Assistance Demonstration

Jul.22.2019

By Deborah VanAmerongen and Nate Cushman

For owners of properties with Moderate Rehabilitation Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts, conversion through Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) is an underutilized opportunity. In New York City, the Mod Rehab contracts are administered by NYC Housing and Preservation Department (HPD). There are other local housing agencies throughout New York State that also administer these contracts. There have been significant changes to Mod Rehab conversions under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) RAD since the program was created, and if you have not reviewed your RAD options lately, it may be time to revisit them. There may be an opportunity to increase the property’s cash flow, revitalize its physical condition, and even take out funds to serve your organization’s mission.

This high-level view will detail the advantages of the RAD conversion process and key points to bear in mind as you consider your transaction. Of course, the details of each transaction will affect what is possible for each property.

ICL Breaks Ground for Supportive Housing in Downtown Brooklyn

Jul.02.2019

On the stormy afternoon of June 20th, Institute for Community Living (ICL) celebrated the launch of construction for a new affordable and supportive housing residence at 50 Nevins Street in downtown Brooklyn.

David Woodlock, President/CEO of ICL, spoke about how ICL’s work there would extend the site’s history of providing New Yorkers with homes, “grounded in dignity and respect.”

Network Members Gather for Joint Con Edison and HPD Training

Jun.21.2019

On May 22nd, developers, architects, contractors, and other members of the affordable and supportive housing community gathered at Con Edison Headquarters to participate in a joint training with Con Edison and the Building and Land Development Services (BLDS) division of NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

NYS HCR Announces 2018 Unified Funding Awards

May.30.2019

On May 17th, NYS HCR announced its 2018 Unified Funding Awards. In addition to the three supportive housing projects funded in the early round announced in January, there were 15 projects awarded in the regular round, bringing the total number of supportive housing units to 484 — 22% of the total residential units funded. Network members are involved in 14 separate projects across the state.

The Network Testifies to NYCC on Critical Need for $20M DOHMH Scattered Site Funding

May.30.2019

For the second time this budget cycle, Network Executive Director Laura Mascuch testified to the immediate need for $20 million in funding in the FY 2020 City budget to ensure that 1,800 formerly homeless people don’t become homeless again. Testifying at the New York City Council Committee on Finance’s budget hearing, she thanked the Council for including the additional funding for DOHMH scattered site supportive housing in its initial budget and urged the Council to help ensure the ask makes it into the final budget. Besides the human cost of possibly making 1,800 households homeless again, the City would face approximately $69 million in added shelter costs if these individuals and families re-entered the shelter system.

Strong Relationships and Shared Values Star at S:US’ Housewarming in the Bronx

May.29.2019

Photo credit for photo at right: Diane Cho for HPD.

On May 14th, overcast skies were brightened by purple and yellow balloons greeting guests at Network member Services for the Underserved’s (S:US) housewarming at 2264 Morris Avenue in the Bronx. Government partners, local elected officials, and private supporters celebrated the completion of the 11-story, mixed-income building, co-developed by S:US and Bronx Pro Group. The building contains 94 units, including 31 units of supportive housing: 17 for at-risk young adults and 14 for formerly homeless adults with mental illness.

Residents at WSFSSH’s Borinquen Court Welcome New Neighbors in Tres Puentes Expansion

May.28.2019

On May 21st, Network member West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH) celebrated the completion of Tres Puentes. The project included a refurbishing of Borinquen Court, which continues to house 145 seniors and/or people with physical disabilities in the community, and the creation of two new buildings welcoming 175 new residents. The name “Tres Puentes” refers to the complex’s views of the Willis Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Third Avenue bridges nearby, but was heralded as the perfect name for the various relationships that made the project possible.

“The goal is not just buildings, but a place where people can truly live,” said Sheldon J. Fine, President of the WSFSSH Board of Directors, who began the speaking program in a large, lively room.

The Network Testifies at NYCC Charter Revision Committee Commission About ULURP

May.14.2019

On May 9th, the Network’s Policy and Planning Director Rebecca Sauer testified at the New York City Council Charter Revision Commission to offer suggestions on improving the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) as it pertains to supportive housing development. Testifying late in the seven-hour hearing, Rebecca emphasized that the critical need to develop as much supportive housing as quickly as possible in order to address New York City’s homelessness crisis needs to be balanced with the need to garner comprehensive community input, including voices from the local homeless community.

The Network Testifies to NYS Legislature on Rent Regulations for Scattered Site Supportive Housing

May.03.2019

On May 2nd, Network Executive Director Laura Mascuch provided testimony at the New York State Assembly’s Committee on Housing’s public hearing on rent-regulated housing. While thanking Assemblymembers Latoya Joyner and Steven Cymbrowitz for advancing Bill No. A07115, which would provide rent stabilization provisions to nonprofit housing providers’ new scattered site supportive housing units, she encouraged the sponsors to accept a friendly amendment to the bill that would extend the protections to the 14,000 existing scattered-site units and formerly homeless disabled families and individuals currently living there.

Supporters, Developers, and Government Cheer Residents’ New Home in the Bronx

Apr.25.2019

On April 16th, the Network joined member Services for the UnderServed (S:US) to celebrate the transformation of a vacant lot in the Bronx into a seven-story apartment building – and the transformation of lives through the offer of permanent homes. With 74 apartments, including 19 reserved for formerly homeless individuals with mental health challenges and 45 reserved for formerly homeless veterans, the housewarming’s goal was to wish the building’s residents “every hope and every dream that comes with having a new home,” said Judith Jackson, Chief of Staff of S:US.