Categories: New York City, Member News, Groundbreakings
11.30.2022
On October 28th, BRC joined project partners and elected officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of Beach Channel Drive. Located in Far Rockaway, Queens, Beach Channel Drive will include 147 new affordable and supportive apartments, including 88 supportive units, as well as 100 shelter beds with supportive services for single women. Persons aged 55+ will receive a preference for 50% of the supportive apartments. On-site services are provided by BRC funded through NYC 15/15 administered by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Building amenities include a community room, a social service programming space, outdoor recreational space, bike storage and a laundry room.
BRC CEO Muzzy Rosenblatt kicked off the program expressing pride in the project and said “This exciting project shows the Adams’ administration’s wise and economical use of city resources to develop places of dignity where shelter and housing come together to effectively meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Thanks to the partnership with Camber Property Group this approach replicates BRC’s innovative Landing Road model.”
State Assembly Member Khaleel M. Anderson said “With so many families and individuals suffering from chronic and mental illnesses, the public health crisis we face is across-the-board. We must expand the supportive housing model equitably and responsibly, prioritizing wraparound social and healthcare services.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. stated “Our borough and our entire city are experiencing a severe shortage of affordable housing in general and of supportive housing in particular. I commend Camber Property Group, BRC, and all of the partners on this project for stepping up to the plate to help address this critical shortfall. We will not turn our backs on those most in need.”
Camber Property Group Co-Founder and Principal Rick Gropper stated “Providing a pathway for New Yorkers to secure permanent and stable housing is critical to addressing the most pressing needs of our city. We’re thrilled to partner with BRC, an outstanding provider of transitional and supportive housing, and the Adams’ Administration to construct 147 units of housing together with a 100-bed transitional housing facility for women.”
Citi Managing Director Richard Gerwitz remarked “Citi is proud to have worked on this unique project with BRC and Camber which provides shelter for unhoused New Yorkers as well as affordable housing for lower income working families and individuals.”
Other speakers included: New York City Housing Preservation and Development’s Brendan McBride and the Department of Homeless Services’ Joslyn Carter.
Funding for the project comes from Citi Community Capital, Freddie Mac and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) Supportive Housing Loan Program (SHLP). The shelter is separately financed by a private loan facilitated by Citi.
The co-developer is Camber Property Group, the general contractor is Fifth Ave Builders, and the architect is Urban Architectural Initiatives (UAI).
Press:
https://www.housingfinance.com/developments/nyc-development-to-feature-affordable-housing-and-a-shelter_o