The Morris Heights Health Center to Build a New Medical Building and Senior Citizen Housing Facility

The Morris Heights Health Center, Inc. (MHHC) a non-profit organization has initiated an innovative building project called Harrison Circle in the Morris Heights community of the Bronx. The new Harrison Circle facility will have 70 dwelling units for the elderly poor and will also include several clinical areas, such as behavioral health, physical therapy and a host of subspecialties; diagnostic imaging will also be available on site and some of MHHC's organization's administrative services will be housed there as well.

Bronx, NY (PRWEB) October 10, 2007 -- The Morris Heights Health Center, Inc. (MHHC) a non-profit organization funded by federal, state, foundation grants, private and corporate donations has initiated an innovative building project called Harrison Circle in the Morris Heights community of the Bronx.

The new Harrison Circle facility will have 70 dwelling units for the elderly poor and will also include several clinical areas, such as behavioral health, physical therapy and a host of subspecialties; diagnostic imaging will also be available on site and some of MHHC's organization's administrative services will be housed there as well. MHHC will be able to accommodate an additional 30,000 patients throughout its system more efficiently and effectively. Harrison Circle will include 9,000 square feet that will be available for a larger commercial enterprise, such as a retail pharmacy, that will augment services to be provided at this location.

"Arising out of our organization's strategic plan, this new building facility will enable us to seize a prime opportunity to provide additional comprehensive ambulatory health care services that will benefit this underserved community," said Verona Greenland, President and CEO of the Morris Heights Health Center. "At the same time it will address one of the community's growing social problems, inadequate housing for its growing elderly population."

Harrison Circle represents a unique combination of public interests and financial support. The residential facility for elderly poor marks the first time in New York that HUD Section 202 funds have been combined with low income housing tax credits issued by the New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development to support construction of a single facility. Further, bonds issued by the New York City Industrial Development Agency will partially support the construction of the medical facility.

The current projected capital cost is $43 million dollars. In partnership with the Mount Hope Housing Company, MHHC has secured approximately $9.3 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to construct a residential unit for the elderly poor of this community. The remaining construction costs, approximately $8.3 million, for the residential facility will be supported by the sale of tax credit equity through the New York City Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program managed by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

Through August 2007, development efforts have yielded an additional $12.7 million in governmental support for the project: $400 thousand in Congressional Appropriations, $4 million from the Bronx Borough President and $8.7 million from the New York City Council. MHHC has acquired and committed the land necessary for Harrison Circle; the land is valued at $3 million. In addition, MHHC has committed an additional $1 million in support of this project

MHHC has secured private support in the amount of $500 thousand and is seeking support in the amount of $8 million to complete the Harrison Circle facility.

The project's architect is Terjesen Associates Architects, PC 248 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001.

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