NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2018 CUCS, a Harlem-based nonprofit leader in restoring the housing and health of homeless individuals and families, is building an innovative affordable and supportive housing residence that will provide 116 homes and life-changing services for low-income and homeless New Yorkers. Strategically designed to meet the distinctive needs of its residents, with a special focus on families, the new building will offer on-site support of healthcare, employment, and social services enabling stability and well-being.
"CUCS is proud to continue to stand with our Harlem community and New York City and State to ensure that individuals and families struggling with homelessness and poverty will have a permanent place to live and access to health, employment, and family services. Our new neighbors will have a pathway to self-sufficiency and dignity," said CUCS President and CEO Tony Hannigan.
CUCS is transforming a blighted block on West 127th Street into a vibrant new residence that will include 116 studios and multi-bedroom affordable and supportive apartments, in addition to a live-in superintendent. Creating an environment of learning and wellness, the building will feature a common computer lab, gym, teaching kitchen, bike room, rooftop garden, and 24-hour security.
Continuing its groundbreaking work to help families rise from poverty and exit homelessness, the West 127th Street Residence will be CUCS's third supportive housing residence to include family apartments. The residence will offer 59 family apartments, including 34 apartments for families coming out of homelessness.
The project will provide 45 studio and multi-bedroom apartments for low-income individuals and families, 37 studios for homeless individuals, and 34 multi-bedroom apartments for homeless families.
CUCS received funding from New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, New York State Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation, New York City Housing Development Corporation, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and tax credit syndication via Raymond James. Chase provided the letter of credit. On-Site support services will be funded by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
"Through the Mayor's Housing New York plan, we have made supportive housing a top priority, as it is one of the most effective solutions to help New Yorkers struggling with homelessness get back on their feet. The new West 127th Street Residence will pair 116 affordable homes with the supportive services these individuals and families need to enhance their lives and thrive," said HPD Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer. "I thank the team at CUCS for their hard work and dedication toward building a more affordable New York City, and look forward to seeing this project take shape."
"The number of homeless New Yorkers sleeping in city shelters has increased by 80 percent over just one decade. We must provide permanent, supportive homes for our city's most vulnerable," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "Our neighborhoods need projects like this one, spearheaded by high-quality nonprofit service providers like CUCS. This building, with 116 permanently affordable units for homeless individuals and families and 45 units for low-income residents, is a demonstration of what we should be doing when we have the opportunity to redevelop city-owned property."
"Raymond James Tax Credit Funds is thrilled to be a part of this transformative project that will help serve the needs of New York City's most vulnerable residents. RJTCF, which has invested more than $1 billion annually in affordable housing projects nationwide for each of the past three years, is proud to be a trusted partner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development as well as the New York City Housing Development Corporation, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. The West 127th Street Residences continues RJCTF's extensive presence in New York and represents the most recent project in RJTCF's growing supportive housing portfolio, and is the first of what we hope will be many future projects with CUCS," said Noel Henderson-James, Director of Acquisitions, Northeast Region, Raymond James Tax Credit Funds.
"This revitalization project is essential to fostering an inclusive and sustainable community for Harlem residents," said David Walsh, Northeast Regional Manager, Community Development Banking, Chase. "We're proud to work with CUCS and the State and City organizations helping to support this truly transformative development."
About CUCS:
CUCS helps people rise from poverty, exit homelessness, and be healthy. It excels at developing affordable housing and providing programs that link housing, training, health, and social services for homeless, formerly homeless and low-income individuals and families. Every year 56,000 individuals find support and services with CUCS. http://www.cucs.org
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) http://www.nyc.gov/hpd
Manhattan Borough President
http://manhattanbp.nyc.gov/html/home/home.shtml
Raymond James Tax Credit Funds
https://www.raymondjames.com/corporations-and-institutions/additional-institutional-services/tax-credit-funds
Chase's Community Development Banking Group
https://commercial.jpmorganchase.com/pages/commercial-banking/services/re-community-development-banking
SOURCE Center for Urban Community Services
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