Categories: New York City, Openings
05.22.2017
Two neighboring six-story buildings named after community leader Stan Henry.
Watering the new garden at SUS’ Henry Apartments.
On a sunny May morning, Services for the UnderServed celebrated the opening of Henry Apartments, a beautiful new supportive housing development, in Ocean Hill, Brooklyn, co-developed with Alembic Community Development. The new development, consisting of two neighboring six-story buildings is named after community leader Stan Henry, who, for more than forty years, was the owner and operator of a hardware store that occupied one corner of the development site. As described by Alembic’s Benjamin Warnke, “Mr. Henry worked tirelessly to acquire the long-vacant lot adjacent to the store and to complete this project, the latest chapter in a lifetime of service to the neighborhood.”
Henry Apartments features 134 total units: 78 supportive units, for formerly homeless individuals with the remaining one-, two-, and three-bedroom affordable apartments for low-income families and individuals.
SUS’ Chief of Staff Judith Jackson welcomed guests and made note that “this is not a ribbon-cutting,” which, she noted, is all about the building. “This is a housewarming, an occasion that’s focused on our building’s tenants.” (Hence the picture above). CEO Donna Colonna spoke of her gratitude to SUS’ “amazing team” and gave a special shout-out to Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Property Development Arlo Chase, for the critical role he played in bringing Henry Apartments into existence.
Tenant Angela Thomas shared some thoughts about how Henry Apartments has transformed her life: “I’d been living in a shelter for five years. I’m 60 years old. I thought I’d never get out, there was stealing, there was beating…when I saw Henry Apartments and how big that studio was, I saw God.”
Other speakers at the event included Paula Roy Carethers of NYC Housing Development Corporation, a representative from the office of Senator Velmanette Montgomery, and Genese Morgan, the Chair of Brooklyn Community Board 16. HPD Deputy Commissioner Molly Park described Henry Apartments as a remarkably successful collaboration between the community, government agencies, and SUS.
The two buildings feature, a lovely outdoor recreation space including an area designed for urban farming, and many other typical amenities. On-site services are provided by SUS and are funded by the NYS Office of Mental Health.
Funding for the project was provided by NYC Housing Development Corporation, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and Corporation for Supportive Housing. The tax syndicator was Richman Housing Resources. The development’s architects were Peter L. Woll and Alphonse Diaz and the contractor was Mega Contracting.