Categories: New York City, Groundbreakings
08.13.2015
On July 7th, Jericho Project broke ground in the Bronx for a new affordable and supportive housing project, Walton Avenue Residence, which will provide homes for homeless veterans and at-risk young adults.
Breaking the ground for Jericho Project's Walton Avenue residence.
On July 7th, Jericho Project broke ground in the Bronx for a new affordable and supportive housing project, Walton Avenue Residence, which will provide homes for homeless veterans and young adults. The project is scheduled to open in the spring of 2017. The planned complex will feature 89 units of housing, with 56 units set aside for veterans, and 33 units for young adults. Located a few blocks from the Trenton Avenue station, Walton Avenue will provide tenants with a mix of energy-efficient affordable and supportive housing, with easy access to Manhattan.
“This is a landmark moment for Jericho Project as we deepen our commitment to veterans and extend our services to young adults who are in dire need of housing and support,” said Jericho Project Executive Director Tori Lyon.
“The women and men who serve in our nation’s military sacrifice willingly and put the needs of our country before their own,” said HPD Commissioner Vicki Been. “For many of our veterans the process of transitioning from military to civilian life can sometimes be difficult, but that doesn’t mean they have to go it alone. A safe, stable, affordable home coupled with specialized services and an environment that recognizes their unique needs and honors their service can be the hand up that our veterans need to achieve their best.”
“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony provides tangible evidence of how New Yorkers are heeding Mayor de Blasio’s call to action and committing themselves to ending veteran homelessness,” said Loree Sutton, MD, Brigadier General (retired), Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs (MOVA).
Veteran Lisa Spencer, of the U.S. Navy, and current Jericho Project tenant, shared her story of being “young, scared, alone, homeless, and a survivor of military sexual trauma,” and spoke of how transformative moving into permanent housing has been for her. She ended with a plea to others in need, “don’t beat yourself down, there is help at Jericho, you just have to reach out and get it.”
Other dignitaries at the ceremony included Benjamin Charvat, of the NYC Department of Homeless Services, Dr. Bola Omotosho, Chair of Community Board No. 5, Eugene Barlow of Home Depot, Jennifer Trepinski of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, and Maurice Coleman of the Bank of America, Merrill Lynch.
Development financing came from NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program, NYS Homeless Housing Assistance Program, NYC Housing Authority, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Corporation for Supportive Housing, the Home Depot Foundation, and Citi.
Veterans’ services will be provided thru VASH and Jericho plans to have an additional coordinator and mentor on site for social and recreational activities and supplemental services. Services for the young adults – including case management and career counseling -- will be funded through the building’s income.
The architect is MHG Architects PC and the contractor is GKC Industries.