Categories: New York City, Openings
03.15.2024
On a sunny spring March 14th, HELP USA and HELPDevCo joined elected officials and project partners to celebrate the opening of HELP ONE buildings A and B in East New York, Brooklyn. These two new affordable and supportive housing residences are creating 255 new apartments, 154 of which are supportive for young adult families and individuals who have experienced homelessness. Support services will be provided by HELP USA funded by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) through NYC 15/15.
David Cleghorn, President of HELPDevCo, emceed the program. He explained that the site was formerly a homeless shelter, HELP ONE, and thanked all partners, including the former shelter staff who helped all the former shelter clients find permanent housing.
Council Member Chris Banks, District 42, then spoke, “There’s a need for housing. We need to make sure we get more of these projects in this district.”
“255 new families and individuals will now have a dignified and safe place to call home,” said Leila Bozorg, Executive Director for Housing, NYC Office of the Mayor. “This residence also gets us closer to producing 500,000 units over the next decade to stem the affordability crisis. We need much more housing than we have right now.”
“The vacancy rate has put a spotlight on the housing crisis for us,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (NYC HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión. “We are facing a critical moment. It is our duty to leave behind a city of opportunity, especially for those most in need and those who have been dealt a hand not all of us could handle.”
“We are thrilled that HELP ONE A and B will provide opportunities for young adult families and individuals who were formerly homeless,” said Brenda McAteer, Assistant Director, New York State Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA). “There is no finer investment than opportunities where families can live in dignity and where diverse needs are met with support.”
“Folks who are homeless deserve to live in a place that looks like this,” said Joslyn Carter, Agency Administrator, NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS). “This is transformative.”
“I live here and I love it,” said Shakara Negron. “I’m a young mom of three. It’s a lot, but I am doing it!”
Dan Lehman, President and CEO of HELP USA spoke and read a short statement from former CEO Tom Hameline, “The struggle to overcome homelessness is challenging, but with the right resources people can transition into permanent housing. We can have more days like today.”
Remarks were also given by: Susanne DesRoches, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); Jessica Neilan, Bank of New York Mellon, and Jeffrey Sachs, HELP USA board member.
HELP ONE will feature energy efficient windows, fixtures, and an integrated solar array and shared service space as well as a courtyard with a playground, a dog-park, picnic and passive use areas with built-in grills. Building A will also host a HELP USA’s non-residential community service program, HELP ROADS, a counseling and support team that serves survivors of domestic violence.
Financing for the project came from NYC HPD, NYS OTDA, NYSERDA, New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and Bank of New York Mellon.
The architects on the project are Curtis and Ginsberg Architects and the general contractor is Monadnock.
Press coverage:
https://pix11.com/news/monica-makes-it-happen/look-inside-a-new-york-city-affordable-apartment/