Kingsbridge Terrace Veterans’ Community

Organization Name: OCV Architects for Jericho Project

Project Title: Kingsbridge Terrace Veterans' Community

Project Location: Bronx, New York

Project Goals:
An important goal in the development of this supportive housing building was to create a place that fosters stability and community to veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and veterans with a history of homelessness and substance abuse. OCV Architects worked closely with Jericho Project in the planning stages to create a highly sustainable and energy efficient building that not only provides green supportive housing but the counseling, services and community-building spaces vital to veterans' path to success. At the time of completion, Kingsbridge Terrace was one of the first dedicated housing for homeless veterans to have been built in New York State in over 15 years, thus enabling Jericho Project to offer much needed services to these chronically underserved groups.

Project Description:
Located adjacent to the Bronx VA, this veterans' residence provides 76 units of green, supportive housing featuring green roofs, pervious hardscapes, energy efficient HVAC systems and appliances, a microturbine that generates power and heat, and low impact materials. The irregular nature of the site, with its 22-foot drop off from corner to corner, provided challenges as well as opportunities for innovation. The building references the site’s triangular form and soft curve, providing expansive views and multiple levels of outdoor areas for residents and staff to enjoy. With common rooms, gardens, a basketball court, a fitness room and computer lab, the residence is designed to create a sense of community among veterans of all eras. Residents receive professional on-site counseling towards employment, family reunification and mental health, including state-of-the-art programs addressing the invisible wounds of modern war, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Community Impact:
This highly sustainable, progressive building is “...a shining example of what supportive housing can be: modern, strategic and effective in enabling formerly homeless veterans to regain their dignity,” said Tori Lyon, Executive Director of Jericho Project, of Kingsbridge Terrace. It is a project that puts the health and well-being of veterans first through the high quality of life and social services it offers. The project enables those who have served their country and suffered the traumas of war and its aftermath to find the stability and support needed to successfully re-enter civilian life, for the long term. The success of the building was recognized by the Supportive Housing Network of New York with an award for best supportive housing.

Organization Description:
OCV Architects has been designing innovative, sustainable buildings to chronically underserved populations in New York City and State for over 30 years. Since its founding in 1986, OCV remains firmly committed to community development. Through the building, renovation and rehabilitation of thousands of low and middle income and supportive housing units, OCV has helped transform the story of housing in NYC. Founded in 1983, Jericho Project assists NYC’s most vulnerable homeless individuals through supportive housing and comprehensive services to the thousands experiencing chronic homelessness and substance abuse. Jericho Project works to end homelessness at its roots by creating a community that inspires individual change, fosters sustainable independence, and motivates men and women to reach their greatest potential. It has a long track record of proven success: 95% of clients maintain housing stability and 90% of Jericho residents affected by substance abuse maintain their sobriety.

Thank you for viewing NYHC's Community Impact Gallery. Please note: NYHC does not own or manage any property. If you have any questions about a specific building, please contact the project team listed. To apply for affordable housing opportunities, see housingconnect.nyc.gov or hcr.ny.gov/find-affordable-housing

    Kingsbridge Terrace Veterans' Community

    A green building puts health and well-being first

    Support offices assist residents to succeed

    Expansive views and multiple levels of green space

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