HELP IN HOUSING

October 17, 2011 | 8:00 am ET Staff Reporter

Jung Ching

There's a tremendous need for supportive housing in New York—that's shelter for veterans, the disabled, formerly homeless, and those with psychiatric problems. This is evidenced by the agreement between NYC and the State for 9,000 units, says Concern for Independent Living executive director Ralph Fasano. His non-profit just delivered the $25M, 65-unit Rochester Avenue Apartments in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a five-story former hospital-turned-studio dwellings for low-income folks recovering from mental illness (including formerly homeless people and those exiting fromNYS Office of Mental Health's state residence program).

But supportive housing doesn't mean it's lacking in amenities— Rochester Avenue Apartments, above, has features like lounges, acomputer room, exercise room, dining hall, and rooftop garden. Supportive housing projects CIL has in the pipeline include apartments at MacDougal and Broadway and 801 East New York Ave in Brooklyn. Some of the over 600 units CIL operates include affordable housing for those making 55% of the area median income. Kiss stigmas goodbye—affordable housing is so precious anddesirable that residents feel comfortable living with supportive housing residents, Ralph says.

Also in the pipeline: 60 units for homeless US vets and their families at 600 Albany Ave in Amityville, Long Island—there's been a push from the Veterans Affairs, HUD, and the Obama administration to end homelessness among our vets. The public outpouring has been great for all supportive housing projects, Ralph says—you could see it from the cross-section of attendees at the opening of Rochester Avenue Apartments, including Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Community Board 8, and residents from all around the neighborhood.

HELP IN HOUSING

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