Categories: New York City, Groundbreakings
11.30.2021
On November 4, Homeward NYC joined co-developers Azimuth Development Group and Type A Projects along with partners and elected officials to break ground on Homeward Central Harlem, a new supportive housing residence providing homes to 50 formerly homeless LGBTQ young adults. The nine-story building with 50 fully-furnished studio apartments will be located on W. 118th Street.
Annie Tirschwell, co-founder of Type A Projects, opened the program, stating, “For quite some time Jill [Crawford, Type A co-founder] and I had the goal of building housing for at risk young adults in an LGBTQ-affirming residential community. With thousands of young adults either homeless, at risk of homelessness, or couch surfing to put a roof over their heads nightly we were committed to finding a way to change outcomes for these young New Yorkers who deserve to be starting their adult lives stably and working to fulfil their aspirations.”
Jeannette K. Ruffins, Chief Executive Officer of Homeward NYC, described the organization's approach: “At Homeward Central Harlem, we will offer trauma-informed, strength-based, client-centered care. We recognize that your life experiences affect how you respond to different situations. Recognizing and understanding trauma is the first step to healing. We focus on a young person’s strengths and resiliency not their vulnerabilities.”
“This new development will provide 50 young people with the security, guidance and compassion they need to achieve their full potential and live happy, healthy and successful adult lives,” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “Far too often, LGBTQ individuals are met with discrimination and hardships that no young person should have to face.”
Ross Karp of New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) said, “This project really represents the collaboration between the City and State to build supportive housing.”
Remarks also were given by: Guido Subotovsky of Azimuth Development Group; Baaba Halm of Enterprise Community Partners; Eric Steinberg of KeyBank; Athena Moore, Director of Northern Manhattan Office for the Manhattan Borough President’s Office; and Sam Ganeshan of Hudson Housing Capital.
Homeward NYC will provide case management to residents ensure access to financial and health care benefits, counseling, connections to community resources, group activities, and skills-building programs. Homeward NYC will provide the onsite services funded through the City’s NYC 15/15 initiative.
Financing for this project came from NYC HPD, NYS HCR, Federal Low-Income Tax Credits secured by Hudson Housing Capital, and investments from KeyBank and Enterprise Community Partners.
The architect on the project is Kossar + Garry Architects, LLP. The general contractor is Cheever Construction. Homeward Central Harlem is expected to open in 2023.
Read coverage on the groundbreaking here and the press release here.