Services for the Underserved Opens Alabama Avenue
May 11, 2023
Supportive Housing Network of New York
On a sunny Wednesday, May 10th Services for the UnderServed (S:US) joined project partners and elected officials for a housewarming celebration of Alabama Avenue. Alabama Avenue brings 71 apartments, of which 43 are supportive, to East New York, Brooklyn. On-site services will be provided by Services for the UnderServed funded by NYC 15/15 through the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH).
Arlo Chase, Senior VP of Real Estate Development, Services for the UnderServed opened the program by describing S:US’ deep experience in providing supportive housing in East New York.
Kim Council, Deputy Borough President, Brooklyn Borough President’s Office said, “It is absolutely no secret that our city is and has been facing a housing crisis. Today is an example of how much further and faster we can go. Collaborations like this are exactly what we need.”
Emily Lehman, Assistant Commissioner for Special Needs Housing, New York City Housing Preservation and Development, remarked, “Of all the types of housing that HPD finances I can not overstate how important supportive housing is. This project is going to put New Yorkers on a path of stability and change lives.”
Chris Bramwell, Managing Partner, CB-Emmanuel Realty LLC remarked, “CB-Emmanuel is proud to have been provided the opportunity to develop this building through HPD’s MWBE Building Opportunity RFP.”
Perry Perlmutter, Interim President & CEO, Services for the UnderServed, expressed pride for the project and remarked, “This project shows what is possible when we all work together to help New Yorkers find a home. This milestone achievement would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of our public partners at the City and State, as well as our private lenders, and our excellent design and construction teams.”
Wayne Richardson, Tenant at Alabama Avenue expressed gratitude for his new apartment and stated, “I love it here. The apartment was fully furnished by S:US. Thank you for that.”
Remarks were also given by Sigmund Ting of Richman Housing Resources and Jane Silverman of JP Morgan Chase.
Building amenities include a landscaped courtyard for resident use, a recreation room, a computer lab, a 24-hour front desk attendant/security, live-in superintendent and laundry room.
Funding for the project comes from subsidy loans and an allocation of Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD). JP Morgan Chase provided a construction loan and the permanent loan will be provided by Freddie Mac and placed by Bellwether Enterprise. The tax credits were syndicated by Richman Housing Resources.
The architect is Newman Design and the general contractor is The Penta Group.