A New York City development is being built to meet the housing needs of formerly incarcerated and other needy seniors.

“Seniors have been forced out of this community because of many factors. This is what a community transformation can be like when many come together in a joint venture,” says the Rev. Bill Shillady, executive director of the United Methodist City Society, which held the title to a former church property since 1890. The site will be home to a new 154-unit affordable housing development in the Bronx.
Courtesy Bronx Pro Group “Seniors have been forced out of this community because of many factors. This is what a community transformation can be like when many come together in a joint venture,” says the Rev. Bill Shillady, executive director of the United Methodist City Society, which held the title to a former church property since 1890. The site will be home to a new 154-unit affordable housing development in the Bronx.

Construction is set to begin later this year on the unique 154-unit affordable housing development, which will include 57 supportive homes for formerly “justice-involved” seniors, in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx.Officials announced an $82 million deal to acquire 1080 Washington Ave. and construct the new 12-story building, a move that repurposes church property where the building was in poor condition.

The partners include Fortune Society, Bronx Pro Group, the United Methodist City Society, Enterprise Housing Credit Investments, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

Fortune Society will operate a social services space in the building and provide support for the formerly homeless, incarcerated seniors, including on-site counseling, peer support to assist with re-entry and recovery, and case managers to help tenants remain stably housed and healthy.

“Formerly homeless, justice-involved seniors are one of the most vulnerable populations,” said JoAnne Page, president and CEO of The Fortune Society. “We are honored to be part of this public/private partnership that will make a profound difference in the lives of our clients and will give us the opportunity to help create and maintain a vibrant residence that will be an asset to those living within it and to the surrounding community.”

To finance the development, Enterprise syndicated $32 million in equity through low-income housing tax credits. HCRl provided $16 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds and $13.6 million in subsidy. Additional funding was provided through HPD’s Senior Affordable Rental Apartments (SARA) program.

Funding for the supportive services will be provided by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance through the governor’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

“New York needs more affordable housing options for seniors, particularly those who are formerly homeless and justice-involved, and all will benefit from the services and support offered at 1080 Washington Ave.,” said Judi Kende, vice president and New York market leader, Enterprise Community Partners, Enterprise’s parent company.

In addition to the 57 studio units for formerly homeless, incarcerated seniors, the development will have 96 apartments—63 studios and 33 one-bedrooms—for seniors to be marketed through NYC Housing Connect, in addition to a superintendent’s unit. The property is scheduled to be completed in fall 2021.

All of the apartments will be reserved for households earning 50% of the area median income or less. The building will also include community space, an exercise room, an indoor greenhouse, a garden, and an outdoor gym. The property will be designed to meet the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria and the guidelines set by the Energy Star Multifamily High Rise Program.

Bronx Pro Group will be responsible for the development, construction, and management of the property.

“We are proud to be developing a meaningful project in a neighborhood we know and love with such creative, resourceful, and compassionate partners,” said Samantha Magistro, managing director of new business, Bronx Pro Group. “1080 Washington sets out to advance the health and comfort of senior residents as well as provide the neighborhood with essential programming and modern, thoughtful design.”