MORRISANIA — Affordable housing in the South Bronx just got a boost.
SoBRO Development Corporation was recently awarded $1.2 million from the state to help construct a building with 95 units of affordable housing in Morrisania.
The project is one of a handful that recieved more than $95 million to build affordable housing around the five boroughs through a state grant.
Fifty-seven of the units at New Roads Plaza, a 77,000 square foot building at the corner of Washington Avenue and East 164th Street, are targeted towards the formerly homeless with "persistent mental health problems" who can live on their own.
"I am delighted that we were selected," said Nathaniel Montgomery, vice president of real estate development at SoBRO. "It is a competitive process, and so not every project that is deserving gets funded."
SoBRO hopes to begin construction on the tower this fall. The company expects the building process to take about two years, meaning it could be completed by the fall of 2016.
"Barring any changes in the condition of the site, that’s what we’re pushing for," said Montgomery.
The $28.7 million project would consist of 57 studio apartments, 19 one-bedroom apartments and 19 two-bedroom apartments. The roof will include planters as well as a seating area for outdoor recreation.
The supportive housing organization Urban Pathways would provide on-site services.
"They will work with the special needs population there in the building," said Montgomery, "so they’re committed to having case managers on site to help address the needs of the residents."
John Dudley, district manager of Community Board 3, which includes Morrisania, was happy that more housing options would be coming to The Bronx.
"I always welcome affordable, low-income housing opportunities," he said.
Residents earning 60 percent of the area median income will be able to apply.
Other projects that received grants in the city include 333 Lenox Road Apartments in Brooklyn, which received $1.3 million to build 58 units of affordable senior housing, Locust Manor Family in Queens, which received $1.3 million to construct 53 units of mixed-income housing, and Bay Street Senior Housing in Staten Island, which received $1.6 million to construct 67 units of affordable senior housing.
"In 2014 every New Yorker deserves a safe, decent and affordable place to call home," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. "Today we're building on the over $1 billion we've already invested to make that dream a reality."
