Governor Cuomo Announces Completion of $30 Million Affordable and Supportive Housing Development in the Bronx

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of a $30 million affordable and supportive housing development in the Bedford Park neighborhood of the Bronx. Webster Green offers 82 affordable apartments for low-income households, families at risk of homelessness and adults with disabilities.

"This new development furthers our efforts to build and protect affordable housing across every neighborhood of the Bronx and throughout New York State," Governor Cuomo said. "Webster Green will provide vulnerable Bronx residents with a safe place to call home, while offering the support and community services that they need to thrive."

"We are investing in projects in the Bronx to continue the growth and progress we see in Bedford Park and other neighborhoods," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "Webster Green offers a health-oriented and energy-efficient home for 82 individuals and families, with half of residents provided with case management and supportive services. This significant development is part of our unprecedented housing plan to build and preserve affordable homes, provide supportive services to those in need, and combat homelessness and enhance quality of life for residents in the Bronx, New York City and across the State."

Webster Green is part of the Governor's commitment to provide all New Yorkers with access to safe, affordable housing through his unprecedented $20 billion, five-year housing plan. The plan is a comprehensive approach to statewide housing issues and includes multi-family and single-family housing and community development initiatives to make housing accessible and combat homelessness by building or preserving more than 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 homes with supportive services.

Since 2011, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has invested more than $10 billion in the New York City region that has created or preserved affordable housing for more than 100,000 residents, including 14,600 apartments for over 37,000 people in the Bronx.

Webster Green consists of a single, eight-story building with a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Half of the apartments are affordable to households earning at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income, with a preference for households who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The remaining apartments are for adults with disabilities in need of supportive services.

The building has dedicated space to offer the co-location of supportive services and case management provided by The Doe Fund for those tenants receiving services. The housing development provides high-quality, affordable homes to low-income families and individuals, with design elements and considerations to optimize the health and well-being of the tenants and foster community engagement.

Building amenities include a garden, computer room, laundry facilities, storage and a tenant lounge. The Bedford Park neighborhood will have access to an indoor community room for community events. And complementing the range of design and development efforts is high-efficiency Gold LEED certification.

State financing for Webster Green included federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that were syndicated by Raymond James Tax Credit Funds Inc. and generated $12.8 million in equity and $4.5 million in subsidy from HCR. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance provided $6.5 million through the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided $98,400.

Additional financing of $4.6 million was provided by Citi. The New York City Human Resources Administration is providing referrals for the 41 supportive apartments. The developer is The Doe Fund in partnership with Robert Sanborn Development.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, we are doing more than ever to reduce homelessness and create more affordable housing in the Bronx. Webster Green achieves both goals with 82 high quality apartments in an energy-efficient building. This development provides a secure and comfortable environment that will help residents achieve stability and live successful lives."

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Mike Hein said, "No New Yorker should be forced to manage the complexities of a disability while experiencing homelessness. Webster Green will serve as a beacon of stability for these individuals and their families, so they can receive the supportive services to manage their condition and start on the path to independence. Developments like this reaffirm Governor Cuomo's tireless commitment to providing access to stable and affordable housing for all - especially our state's most vulnerable residents."

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA, said, "Ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to affordable, healthy, and energy efficient homes is a leading priority of Governor Cuomo's Green New Deal. Webster Green highlights how the state's comprehensive strategy to support some of our most vulnerable residents leverages every opportunity to provide significant benefits for residents while reducing harmful emissions, creating safer, greener communities and protecting our environment for generations to come."

Senator Jamaal Bailey said, "Housing is a human right- and the housing crisis has been affecting all areas of the state, especially in the Bronx. Projects like the Webster Green Apartments are vital in order to preserve affordable housing for Bronx residents and provide state of the art facilities. This apartment complex focuses on fighting the rampant issue of homelessness that the city is currently facing. The building has allocated apartments to residents who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless as well as supportive housing for adults with disabilities. I would like to thank the Doe Fund for spearheading this project and all the agencies and organizations that made this possible."

Assembly Member Nathalia Fernandez said, "Access to affordable housing is an issue throughout New York City. With growing rates of homelessness and more families being displaced, it is important that we establish affordable and supportive housing developments such as the Webster Green Apartments. Not only are these homes affordable, but the Doe Fund will also offer much needed space for services to these families. It is great to see these new homes in our borough servicing our most vulnerable."

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said, "This development is a great example of how innovative and thoughtful development can be used as a tool in supporting vulnerable members of our community. We need to encourage more developments like this to ensure that we are meeting the needs of low-income, homeless and disabled Bronxites. Thank you to New York State Homes for your commitment to this project."

George McDonald, President and Founder, the Doe Fund, said, "For 30 years, the Doe Fund has worked to end homelessness by fighting for social justice and breaking the debilitating cycles of poverty, addiction and recidivism. Our holistic program, "Ready, Wiling & Able" supports their reintegration back into society and journey to become self-sufficient. We are so proud of our guys when they leave the Doe Fund and begin their new lives, but like many across New York they need affordable and, in some cases, supportive housing to realize this goal. Over the last few years we have increased our housing portfolio to meet these needs with developments like Webster Green. Today the Doe Fund has over 1 Million square feet of housing, and we thank our state, city and private sector partners for supporting us in creating safe, affordable housing."

Maygen Moore, Senior Community Investment Officer, Corporation for Supportive Housing said, "Webster Green will be a welcomed home for vulnerable, low-income New Yorkers, providing them a safe and supportive platform from which to stabilize their health and move forward with their lives. CSH is eager to embrace housing that also improves access to healthcare, and we are proud to have made an early-stage $3M loan to The Doe Fund for Webster Green to cover land acquisition and predevelopment costs."

Darryl Seavey, VP Director of Acquisitions for Raymond James Tax Credit Funds, Inc. said, "Raymond James is always pleased to partner with The Doe Fund and assist in furthering their critical mission to provide social services and quality affordable housing for deserving low income New Yorkers. The newly completed Webster Green Apartments is an extraordinarily well-designed project that builds on The Doe Fund's unwavering commitment to help ensure a greater quality of life for some of the city's most vulnerable citizens. Congratulations to John McDonald and Larry Gordon on the superb execution of another successful Doe Fund project."

Tricia Yarger, Director, Citi Community Capital, said, "Citi is pleased to be a part of the financing of Webster Green. These homes will offer residents peace of mind in the form of safe, stable and affordable housing options. This new development will also help generate economic activity and positively impact its residents and the Bronx community for years to come."