Categories: New York City, Member News, Openings
06.18.2015
On a glorious blustery day in May, the Housing Collaborative and Volunteers of America-Greater New York celebrated the opening of the Creston Avenue residence in the Bronx.
Cutting the ribbon at Creston Avenue residence in the Bronx.
On a glorious blustery day in May, the Housing Collaborative and Volunteers of America-Greater New York celebrated the opening of the Creston Avenue residence in the Bronx. This 66-unit, mixed-population development is home to a mix of low-income and homeless individuals and families, including veterans and was the very first supportive housing residence built using Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) capital funds. On-site services are provided by the Volunteers of America Greater New York (VOA-GNY).
President and CEO of VOA-Greater NY Tere Pettitt, and Board Chair Gerard Cunningham, welcomed the crowd of distinguished guests including project co-developer Robert Sanborn of the Housing Collaborative; Darryl C. Towns, Commissioner and CEO of NYS Homes and Community Renewal; Brett Hebner of OTDA; Jane Silverman of JP Morgan Chase, Richard Roberts of Red Stone Equity, and Julie Irwin of the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New Yorkers who were chronically homeless living in housing that lacked supportive services now have safe and decent homes with on-site social services that will help them live more stable, fulfilling and productive lives,” said Darryl C. Towns, Commissioner/CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
The Network’s Executive Director Laura Mascuch said: “We’re thrilled to celebrate the opening of the beautiful new Creston Avenue residence. It is a great addition to our community and will offer vulnerable families and individuals the resources they need to get their lives back on track.”
Creston Avenue residence was financed through New York State Homes and Community Renewal, including bond financing, Federal and State Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Medicaid Redesign Team funds, as well as NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP). The Veterans Administration contributed Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers and the project used solar tax credits. The development also received a loan from the Federal Home Loan Bank.
The building is ultra-green with a LEED Platinum rating, and a water management system that reduces electric costs by 90% through using a solar electric system and that harvests rainwater. The building’s lobby hosts the first-ever bilingual TransitScreen, offering residents real-time local transportation information.
Magnusson Architecture and Planning was the architect, Sisca Northeast was the contractor on the project, and the syndicator was Red Stone Equity Partners – all Network members.
The Network was honored by the note in the program “a special note of appreciation to the Supportive Housing Network of NY for their advocacy in their efforts to create the MRT Capital Fund and all the hard work that went into this remarkable achievement.”
Our heartiest congratulations to you, Volunteers of America-Greater New York and The Housing Collaborative, and to your staff and tenants!