On May 24, 2023, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development joined project partners Services for the Underserved and Bronx Pro Group LLC to celebrate a housewarming for the newly opened Jerome Court redevelopment. Located at 1769 Jerome Avenue in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx, the space was transformed from a two-story single-use occupancy building to a 16-story mixed use building with supportive and affordable housing.
The new building includes 175 units, with 105 supportive units, 69 affordable units, and one superintendent’s unit. The supportive units will be available to formerly homeless individuals and families exiting shelters who face behavioral health challenges. Services for the Underserved will provide social services and housing support for residents.
Residents who were relocated from the previous building were offered space in the new building.
The building’s ground floor features 7,000 square feet of retail space leased to multiple convenience and food-based businesses. The building has 24-hour security, a large community lounge, landscaped patio, fitness room, and laundry space.
The building was financed through the city’s Extremely Low and Low-Income Affordability (ELLA) program, HPD’s Supportive Housing Loan Program (SHLP), 4% Tax Exempt Bonds, the Federal LIHTC program, and financing from TD Bank and Enterprise. The supportive housing will also be supported through the NYC 15/15 HRA subsidy for social services and rental assistance. Bronx Pro Group also transferred development rights to an adjacent site they own.
The project was made possible by the new residential zoning that was part of the Jerome Avenue Neighborhood Plan.
Adolfo Carrión Jr, HPD Commissioner, stated, Today we’re celebrating life-changing opportunities for New York City families. Jerome Court provides 175 affordable and supportive homes for families and individuals, including formerly homeless households with special needs. I applaud S:US and Bronx Pro Group for delivering another terrific project in the Bronx and thank our colleagues in government for their dedication in creating a more equitable New York City.”
Molly Wasow Park, Department of Social Services Commissioner, stated, “We are committed to connecting more of our neighbors in need to stable, high-quality permanent housing options, and with 175 supportive and affordable units, the Jerome Avenue Apartments project exemplifies the type of development the city needs to ensure that vulnerable families and individuals have the opportunity to find stability, access critical resources, and thrive. This project is a testament to the power of collaboration, and we thank S:US, HPD, Bronx Pro Group and every other partner that made this incredible development a reality. We look forward to continuing our work together to make this city a more just, equitable, and compassionate place.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)