East 119th Street Residence

Organization Name: Volunteers of America-Greater New York

Project Title: East 119th Street Residence

Project Location: East Harlem, NY

Project Description:
East 119th Street Residence is a city-owned, 174-unit SRO residence in East Harlem, operated by Volunteers of America–Greater New York (VOA-GNY) since 2011 and home primarily to veterans who have experienced homelessness. VOA-GNY plans to redevelop the site in two phases to create approximately 698 affordable homes, including replacement homes for all existing residents plus approximately 120 additional supportive apartments. The project will also provide on-site social services and approximately 18,000 square feet of community facility space. Phase one will involve the construction of a 23-story building on East 118th Street while the existing residence remains operational. Current residents will then move directly into the new studios with private kitchens and bathrooms, and the existing building will be demolished for phase two, a 25-story building on East 119th Street. Designed by MAP the buildings will feature a shared courtyard, terraces, and design elements that support aging in place. Both buildings are planned as all-electric, incorporating Passive House standards and solar energy. The project began ULURP in late October 2026, and construction is expected to start within the next 1-2 years.

Community Impact:
The redevelopment will preserve housing for existing residents while allowing them to remain in their East Harlem community. Replacing small SRO rooms and shared facilities with self-contained apartments will provide greater privacy, independence, and comfort. On-site supportive services and shared gathering spaces will help residents maintain housing stability and build connections. Beyond replacing the existing 174 units, the project will expand the neighborhood’s affordable housing supply with hundreds of new homes for low-income individuals and families. This combination of preservation and new construction will serve a broader range of households while maintaining the site’s longstanding supportive housing role. Planned community facility space, envisioned for occupancy by community-serving organizations, could accommodate healthcare, education, youth development, and other neighborhood programs. New street trees and landscaping will improve both street frontages and integrate the project with the surrounding area.

Organization Description:
Volunteers of America–Greater New York (VOA-GNY) is an anti-poverty organization working to end homelessness in Greater New York. Founded in New York City in 1896, VOA-GNY operates more than 70 programs across NYC, Westchester, and Northern New Jersey, delivering housing, health, and wealth-building services to over 35,000 adults and children each year. An early adopter of supportive housing and now one of the region’s largest providers, VOA-GNY was also a founding member of the coalition that ended chronic veteran homelessness in NYC in 2015.

Team Members:

Volunteers of America-Greater New York
Magnusson Architecture & Planning (MAP)