A new permanent supportive housing development in the Bronx is meeting the needs of some of New York City’s most vulnerable populations—victims of domestic violence and their children and low-income families in the community.
Developed by New Destiny Housing Corp., The Corden is comprised of 62 apartments—37 of which are reserved for households headed by domestic violence survivors who are in a New York City domestic violence shelter.
“In terms of meeting the need, there are about 3,000 families who cycle through the domestic violence shelter system each year [in New York City], and, then in addition to that, almost half of all the families who go into the big general shelter system, the No. 1 reason is because of domestic violence,” says Nicole Branca, executive director of New Destiny Housing, a nonprofit that has been housing and providing social services for domestic violence victims for nearly three decades.
The design of the amenity-rich building emphasizes mental and physical well-being for the residents. Features include light-filled corridors and apartments as well as several common spaces, including a top-floor lounge and adjacent laundry room with views of the New York City skyline, a library with East River views, a multipurpose room, and a children’s room that opens out onto a landscaped and secure rear yard.
“It’s an uplifting building from the outside and inside,” says Diane Adler, director of development and communications at New Destiny Housing.
On-site social services include case management; counseling; assistance with benefits, financial literacy, and budgeting; job readiness; parenting support; and youth academic assistance and recreational activities.
The $34.6 million project was built on land owned by the New York City Housing Authority and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
