IN THE NEWS: Rochester Avenue Apartments Opens
On October 6, 2011, Concern was joined by state and local community leaders, non-profit agencies, and community residents to celebrate the Grand Opening of our first Single-Site Supportive Housing program in Brooklyn. Formerly used as a hospital facility, this five story building was rehabilitated to provide 65 studio apartments for low-income individuals recovering from mental illness. Residents began moving in to the new building in late July.
The project was made possible by support from the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, Bank of America, the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), Richman Housing Resources; Astoria Federal Savings; Borough of Brooklyn, New York City and Brooklyn Community Board 8.
The 65-unit Rochester Avenue Apartments is located on the site of the former St. Mary’s Hospital, which was closed in 2005 due to financial difficulties. The site became a neighborhood eyesore until it was purchased in 2008 and renovated by Concern for Independent Living for supportive housing.
When Concern purchased this site, we promised the community we would transform this blighted property into a community asset, create jobs in the neighborhood and strengthen the fabric of the area by building a community garden and shared spaces. Rochester Avenue Apartments does all of that as well as create a beautiful and supportive living environment for formerly homeless and former psychiatric residents. Our new residence will allow many people who were originally from the area but living in shelters or state-run facilities to return to the community and live meaningful lives.
Concern purchased the site at 151 Rochester Avenue in order to develop an OMH-licensed single-site supportive housing residence. Concern promised to create 17 local jobs and won the support of Community Board 8. As stated by Michelle George, District Manager of Community Board 8, “We are pleased to have Concern for Independent Living in our community. They turned an eyesore dilapidated building into something the community can be proud of.”
The five-story former hospital has been turned into a residence with 65 studio apartments for low-income individuals recovering from mental illness. The residents include formerly homeless individuals and persons exiting OMH’s state residency system. All units are wired for high-speed Internet access, cable and telephone. The building features multiple lounges, a computer room, exercise room, dining hall and rooftop garden.
The site also includes a large garden that will be developed with the community so neighbors can grow healthy fruits and vegetables. In addition, Comfort Foods, an area business that provides employment opportunities for the formerly homeless, will provide daily meals for Rochester residents.
The total development cost for The Rochester Avenue Apartments was $24.56 million. Financing included $10 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits issued by HCR, a $13 million OMH grant, a $900,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, a $6.5 million Bank of America construction loan and $13 million in permanent financing from CPC.
CONCERN FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING • PO Box 358 • 312 Expressway Drive South, Medford, NY 11763 • Phone (631) 758-0474 • Fax (631) 758-0467 • Email: info@concernhousing.org