Breaking Ground was joined by state and city officials, partners and friends yesterday to celebrate the opening of Webster Residence, our latest supportive housing building in the Bronx. The eight-story Webster Residence features 170 studio apartments, which will be home to low-income and formerly homeless individuals.
News
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Webster Residence Opens in the Bronx
Our CEO, Brenda Rosen, kicked off the ceremony with gratitude to our partners, noting that Webster is Breaking Ground’s fourth supportive and affordable development in the Bronx. “The Bronx”, she added, “holds a special place in my heart as this is where I spent my early years. I’m thrilled to be part of its revitalization.”
Brenda was joined by RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner/CEO, NYS Homes and Community Renewal; Samuel Roberts, Commissioner NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA); Caren Abate, Housing Director at NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH); Emily Lehman, Assistant Commissioner at NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), alongside Fabian Ramirez from Capital One, Sam Ganeshan from Hudson Housing Capital and Tony Hannigan, Breaking Ground board member and CEO of the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS). CUCS will provide onsite supportive services – including employment and medical services – to tenants of Webster Residence.
RuthAnne Visnauskas spoke about the transformative impact of housing on the lives of the tenants, as well as the importance of government partnerships and the role of elected officials in making projects like the Webster Residence possible.
"It is a good day when Commissioner Roberts and I are together, it means that more supportive housing is being built across the state. I also want to thank our elected officials. It is extremely valuable for us to have their support on affordable and support projects like this one."
Caren Abate from NYS OMH also spoke about the importance of quality housing for those suffering from mental illnesses. “Safe and stable housing gives individuals who are recovering from mental illness a safety net. It offers them the opportunity to focus on their health and future goals without having to worry about where they are going to put their head at night,” she said.
Webster Residence was made possible by funding from the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), Hudson Housing Capital and Capital One Bank. Breaking Ground acquired the site – a formerly blighted brownfield – in 2014 with a bridge loan from the New York City Acquisition Fund and the Low-Income Investment Fund.
The building will also feature a multipurpose room for tenant and community events, a computer lab, fitness room, bike storage, and a beautifully landscaped courtyard that connects Webster to its companion building, the 248 unit Park House. The building was designed by COOKFOX Architect and Mega Contracting Group was the contractor for the project.