New state-of-the-art facility will serve New Yorkers with special needs and low income residents
Comunilife, one of New York City's premier health and human service not-for-profit organizations, today inaugurated its newest supportive and affordable housing building in The Bronx.
El Rio Residence, located at 1041 East 179th Street in West Farms, includes 65 units (39 studio apartments for New Yorkers living with special needs and 26 studio apartments for low-income residents). Amenities include community room, laundry, back garden, staff offices, and 24/7 security.
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"We remain strong in our commitment to increase the number of supportive housing units available for the most vulnerable populations," said Dr. Rosa M. Gil, President and CEO of Comunilife. "El Rio Residence is a major step as we continue to provide new, safe and affordable housing options for the people who need it the most, a midst the city's housing crisis."
El Rio is NYSERDA certified and follows the Enterprise Green Communities guidelines. The building incorporates energy efficient features including low-flow fixtures, bi-level lights in hallways, low VOC paint, FSC certified wood, energy star appliances, native vegetation in the recreational areas, erosion control during construction and construction materials with high recycled content.
The project was developed with Capital Financing received through NYS's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, NYC's Department of Housing Preservation and Development Supportive Housing Loan Program, the Bronx Borough President's Office, and with low-income housing tax credit equity from Red Stone Equity Partners. The building was designed by Gran Kriegel Architects, with Fazio Construction serving as the general contractor.
Today's ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by local leaders and community partners, including Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene, Assembly Member Luis R. Sepulveda, Samuel B. Roberts (Commissioner, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance), Mirza Orrios (HUD's Deputy Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey), Jessica Katz (Assistant Commissioner, NYC HPD), Moira Tashjian (Associate Commissioner, NYS Office of Mental Health),Rebecca Sievers (Program Manager, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene), Carlos R. Piñeiro (Chairperson, Comunilife's Board of Directors), Richard Roberts (Red Stone Equity Partners), and Kristin Miller (CSH). The 65 residents of the new building were welcomed to the community and the Comunilife family during today's ceremony.
"Ending homelessness and housing insecurity in New York depends on building supportive and affordable housing like the El Rio project we're celebrating today. With over $7 million invested from HUD's HOME Program, this development will provide long-term stability for both its residents and the neighborhood," Orrios said.
"Creating affordable housing is very important not just in The Bronx but the entire New York City," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. "Projects like El Rio are steps in the right direction towards greater affordability. Finding affordable housing in New York City is a challenge under any circumstances, and it was with great pleasure that I have allocated $744,000 of my capital budget for this 65-unit studio apartment building, created to support permanent housing for low-income individuals and former homeless adults living with special needs. This project will help improve the lives of many of our must vulnerable residents."
"For many vulnerable populations, stability simply means a safe place to call home. El Rio offers a holistic housing approach for households in need that includes not only affordable housing but also onsite services and support through the Comunilife network," said HPD Commissioner Vicki Been. " I would like to thank Comunilife and all of their development partners for their investment in this project and dedication to improving the lives of those in need. Developments like these are proof positive that New Yorkers take care of their own."
El Rio is part of Comunilife's housing portfolio which now includes 1,607 units of housing in nine transitional and permanent congregate residences for homeless New Yorkers living with special needs; three low-income apartment buildings and 993 units of supportive scatter site apartments.
ABOUT COMUNILIFE:
Founded in 1989, Comunilife is a health and human service agency whose mission is to improve the quality of life and create a healthier tomorrow for children, adolescents, adults, families and seniors living with mental illness and/or HIV/AIDS in New York City's underserved, diverse communities. Comunilife provides culturally-competent, community-based services to 3,500 New Yorkers annually.
