The Jennings

Organization Name: New Destiny Housing Corporation

Project Title: The Jennings

Project Location: Bronx NY

Project Goals:
The Jennings will be a green, mixed-income rental project that provides services tailored to meet the needs of homeless women and children coming directly from the domestic violence shelter system. Without the safety and stability of affordable permanent housing, low-income domestic violence victims are often forced to double up in temporary housing or return to unsafe situations—continuing the cycle of violence and homelessness. Permanent housing enables families to move past crisis and achieve their goals of independence and safety.

The cornerstone of our affordable housing is on-site services tailored to the needs of individuals and families coming from shelter. Using a trauma-informed approach, services create an environment that engages families, builds community and empowers survivors and their children to overcome obstacles. We help tenants remain stable in their housing, violence free and improve their economic security.

Project Description:
The Jennings will be a 54,000 square foot building with 42 affordable one, two and three bedroom rental units; a multi-purpose common room; children’s playroom; computer room; offices for support services staff; and secure outdoor space. It will incorporate energy saving, sustainable and non-toxic features such as a high efficiency condensing boiler, lighting on motion sensors, low e-glass windows and materials made with low VOC chemicals. Fifty-five percent of the units will be for homeless families headed by a domestic violence survivor from the NYC HRA shelter system. Of the remaining units, 20% will be affordable to households earning up to 80% of AMI and 25% will be for households earning up to 60% AMI. Architect: Alexander Gorlin Architects Contractor: Lettire Construction Funding: NYS HCR, NYS HHAC, NYC HPD, Corporation for Supportive Housing, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Enterprise Community Partners, TD Bank, and Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

Community Impact:
What was an underused site with a one-story commercial space will be developed into 42 high quality permanent affordable apartments for previously homeless survivors of domestic violence and very low- and low-income individuals and families from the community. Typically domestic violence survivors leaving the emergency and transitional shelter systems in New York City are still suffering from trauma. The services provided on-site – offered within the context of safe, permanent housing - help victims of violence continue the healing process while addressing many of the issues (safety planning, job training, parenting, and independent living skills) that enable them to remain stable and violence-free over time.

The project is located in a community that is well-served by public transportation, critical for accessing employment opportunities, as well as a range of services such as daycare and after school programs that will support parents and enable children to thrive.

Organization Description:
New Destiny promotes the long-term security and stability of low-income families and individuals at risk of domestic violence and homelessness. We develop and manage affordable housing, offer programs to help domestic violence survivors find and retain safe permanent housing, and advocate for increasing the permanent housing options of low-income families. Over 23 years, we have developed 15 buildings with 305 units of transitional and permanent housing. Each day, NYC shelters house over 15,000 women and children who have fled domestic violence, one of the main generators of family homelessness. Reducing family homelessness means addressing the needs of low-income domestic violence survivors. For victims of abuse leaving shelters, safe stable housing is their number one need and the necessary platform for healing and rebuilding their lives. Housing alone is often not enough. Without support, many survivors find themselves homeless again, caught in a continuing cycle of violence.

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

    Entrance Rendering

    First Floor Plan with Outdoor Space

    Front Rendering

    Outdoor Space

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