Categories: New York City, Member News, Openings
11.30.2021
On November 3rd, government and project partners joined The Bridge and tenants to formally celebrate the opening of 3500 Park Avenue Apartments, a new affordable and supportive housing residence in the Bronx. With 115 units of which 69 are supportive, this new residence will serve individuals experiencing homelessness, including adults with mental illness, veterans with disabilities and the elderly. Supportive services are provided by The Bridge and funded through the NYS Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI).
Bridge CEO Susan Wiviott acted as emcee, saying, “We are proud to have been able to open this new building during COVID and to have transformed this vacant lot into a welcoming, safe, and secure environment for the residents and surrounding community. We are deeply grateful to our government funders and development partners and to The Bridge Board of Directors and staff without whom none of this would be possible.”
Tenant Kelvin W., a proud veteran, made the first -- and most impactful -- remarks: “After 25 years homeless my mind is clear on what I want to do to move myself forward.”
Hallie Martin from NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) said that “creating beautiful quality homes where tenants are treated with respect as they leave homelessness” are the city’s highest priority.
Jennifer Kelly from the NYC’s Human Resources Administration said, “There are 46,000 people currently in the DHS shelter system. We are very excited to see this gorgeous building become home to 69 supportive housing tenants including veterans, seniors, and homeless individuals from the streets and shelters.”
Other speakers included Ayanna Wayner of NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Caren Abate of NYS Office of Mental Health, Rob Charest of Boston Financial, Jane Silverman of Chase, Greg Maher of the Leviticus Fund and Jen Trepinski of CSH.
The residence includes a multi-purpose room with a warming kitchen, a computer lab, a playroom, laundry room, and outdoor recreational space with access to a garden area and walking path
Funding for this project was provided by NYS HFA, NYS Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation, NYC HPD, NYS Department of Environmental Protection, JPMorgan Chase and Boston Financial. Pre-development funds were provided by Leviticus Fund and CSH. Services and rental subsidies are provided by NYS OMH.
The architect on the project ESKW Architects and the contractor Mega Contracting Group.
Press Coverage:
https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/social-justice/news/leviticus-fund-leverages-faith-capital-poverty-fighting-projects