Newsfeed Category: New York City

Capitol Hall Renovation

Aug.15.2016

Cutting the ribbon at the renovation ceremony.

On May 24th, Goddard Riverside celebrated the renovation of their Capitol Hall residence. One of the very first supportive housing residences in NYC, Capitol Hall was opened initially in 1983. Back then, plans were afoot to convert the decaying SRO into luxury housing, when a group of neighbors on the Upper West Side got together and took a stand in support of preserving affordable housing for their low-income neighbors. The building now houses 200 people including those who have been homeless and those were at risk of becoming homeless.

BHC’s Founder Reflects on the Development of Her Vision for Ending Homelessness

Aug.02.2016

Tenants gathered in front of the building that would become their new home and BHC's fifth development, The Rio, at 10 Ft. Washington Avenue, during the renovation process that created 75 studios and 7 family apartments, circa 1989. (Ms. Baxter is in the red sweater).

On July 1, 2016 the life and work of Ellen Baxter, Founder and CEO of Broadway Housing Communities, were featured on NPR’s Invisibilia in an episode by reporter Lulu Miller, who introduced the episode by discussing her family’s experience with mental illness.  Just as Miller discussed the challenges in having a mentally-ill older sister, so did Ms. Baxter discuss similar experiences growing up with a mother living with mental illness and addictions.

Connie Tempel Retires from CSH

Jul.22.2016

Sara and Connie -- passing the torch!

Connie Tempel – one of the godmothers of supportive housing and a mainstay of the movement in New York City for the last twenty five years -- is retiring as Chief Operating Officer for CSH today. Ms. Tempel has made an enormous impact on our movement, including what she deems one of her proudest achievements, being present at the first meeting of the SRO Providers Group (the Network’s name for most of its early life) and co-chairing the group early in its existence. Ms. Tempel was a major force behind convincing the New York State Office of Mental Health to embrace supportive housing as an intervention to end chronic homelessness and laid the foundation for what would eventually become known as the NY/NY agreements. Another of Ms. Tempel’s game-changing achievements was shepherding the nine-year process of proving supportive housing’s cost effectiveness in what has become known as the gold standard of cost-benefit analyses, the University of Pennsylvania’s 2001 report known in shorthand as the Culhane Report.

Paul Gualano Tribute

Jul.15.2016

Paul Gualano of CUCS.

The Network joins the Center for Urban Community Services in mourning the loss of CUCS’ long-time Chief Operating Officer, Paul Gualano, who passed away on July 9, 2016. He was a pillar of the supportive housing community who touched the lives of tenants, co-workers, and colleagues from other organizations within our community.

Morris Avenue Apartments Breaks Ground in University Heights

Jun.24.2016

Breaking ground at Morris Avenue Apartments.

On May 17, Bronx Pro and Services for the UnderServed (SUS)  broke ground on an innovative new project -- Morris Avenue Apartments, a mixed use affordable apartment building in the University Heights neighborhood of the Bronx. The eleven story, 94 unit residence will provide homes to 14 moderate income families, 48 low income individuals and families as well as 31 apartments for a mix of formerly homeless individuals and young adults exiting residential treatment. There will be community rooms with computers, multiple outdoor recreation areas, and access for tenants to a 15-space parking lot. On-site supportive services will be provided by SUS.

The Sydelle Opens in the East Tremont Neighborhood of the Bronx

Jun.22.2016

Cutting the ribbon at The Sydelle.

For decades the nation’s largest provider of services in supportive housing, the Center for Urban Community Services opened their third CUCS-developed-and-owned residence June 6th,  The Sydelle, in the East Tremont neighborhood of the Bronx. Named for a longstanding supporter of CUCS, Sydelle Ostberg, the Sydelle provides 107 apartments to a mix of low-income and formerly homeless families and individuals.

The Mayor’s 90-Day Review of the Department of Homeless Services & Proposed Reforms

Apr.21.2016

On April 11, the Mayor announced the results of the review of the City’s delivery of services to homeless individuals. This effort, overseen by HRA Commissioner Steve Banks and First Deputy Mayor Tony Shorris, resulted in a comprehensive plan that includes significant programmatic and policy changes to improve the delivery of services and shifts the focus to preventing vulnerable New Yorkers from becoming homeless and rehousing those who do become homeless.

Source of Income is a Protected Class Under NYC Human Rights Law

Apr.19.2016

Guest blog post by Darsana Srinivasan, Supervising Attorney, Law Enforcement Bureau, New York City Commission on Human Rights

Public assistance, including housing assistance through a variety of program subsidies and vouchers, is intended to provide individuals with mobility and access to better opportunity, yet it is often not enough to provide people with stable housing.  Luckily, an individual’s source of income is a protected class under the New York City Human Rights Law. The New York City Commission on Human Rights has been enforcing the source of income protection provided by the Law since its enactment in 2008. 

Comunilife Opens El Rio Residence in East Tremont

Apr.14.2016

Cutting the ribbon at Comunilife's new El Rio residence in the Bronx.

On a brisk spring day, Comunilife welcomed nearly 75 people to the grand opening of the El Rio Residence on Friday, April 8 in the Bronx neighborhood of East Tremont. Named in honor of the Bronx River which is just steps away, the 65 unit residence has 39 supportive and 26 affordable housing units. El Rio is Comunilife’s fourth supportive housing residence in New York City.

Staten Island Mental Health Council Hosts Community and Legislative Priorities Breakfast

Mar.21.2016

Left to right: Dr. Ginny Mantello, Borough Director of Health and Wellness; Assembly Member Mike Cusick; Larry Hochwald, Co-Chair of the Staten Island Mental Health Council; Linda Wilson Executive Director of NAMI-Staten Island Chapter; the Network's Executive Director Laura Mascuch; District Attorney Michael McMahon; and Terry Troia, Project Hospitality.

In the wake of the City and State’s recent commitments to creating 35,000 units of supportive housing over the next 15 years, Project Hospitality Executive Director Terry Troia invited Network Executive Director Laura Mascuch to present on supportive housing to this year’s Annual Staten Island Mental Health Council’s Community and Legislative Priorities Breakfast on Friday, March 4th.  Some 200 stakeholders discussed the Council’s agenda next year which will focus on the importance of creating supportive housing for homeless Staten Islanders struggling with mental illness; the need for funding for children’s mental health services; the need for employment support for Island residents living with mental illness.