Cypress Avenue Apartments

Organization Name: WellLife Network

Project Title: Cypress Avenue Apartments

Project Location: Glendale, Queens

Project Description:
The Cypress Avenue Apartment complex consists of a single five-story building with 66 apartments for households with formerly homeless individuals and those earning at or below 50 percent of the area's median income (AMI). It is the first mixed-use affordable housing project in Glendale, New York. The spacious lobby welcomes residents and visitors with comfortable seating, inspiring oversized wall hangings, and a dramatic staircase leading to the lower-level fitness center and laundry facility. The building features nearly 1,000 square feet of health-oriented community space, including a fitness center, Happy Corner lounge area, and planned planting spaces for aeroponic vegetable and floral gardens. Tenants enjoy modern kitchens and baths, a physical fitness center, a multi-purpose community resource room, and a beautiful open-air landscaped rooftop terrace and green roof with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline. The lower level features a modern laundry facility, fitness center, and lounge. A children's playground and after-school center are planned for the building. WellLife created three fully-furnished model apartments (studio, one, and two bedrooms) to share with residents during orientation.

Community Impact:
WellLife is creating a culture of change by providing secure, safe, and affordable housing for individuals who have come from challenging experiences. WellLife provides residents with coordinated mental health, medical care, vocational, and educational support. Van shuttle service is offered for doctor's appointments and grocery shopping. Each resident becomes a part of the WellLife Family and is treated with respect, understanding, and dignity. WellLife's attentive and committed staff provide trauma-informed care, ensuring that all residents are heard, seen, and valued.
WellLife partners with several vendors to expand its array of services. A local pharmacy offers vaccines and over-the-counter medications free of delivery charges. The WellLife Associate Board has adopted the apartment complex as its volunteer focus. The collaboration will provide student mentoring for school-aged children and a vocational preparation program for work-ready individuals, including resume writing and mock interviews. WellLife will host meditation, breathing, yoga, aerobic, and Pilates exercise classes. Cooking and nutrition classes and an outdoor recreational and children's playground is planned for the summer of 2023.

Organization Description:
WellLife Network is a Queens-based, non-profit affordable housing developer and property manager. Over the last four years, WellLife Network has successfully developed approximately 100 units of affordable housing units throughout the Bronx and Queens. Another 66-unit, affordable supportive apartment building is in pre-development on Long Island. WellLife also provides a broad array of residential, day, and preventive services for individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health challenges, substance use issues, and veterans.

Team Members:

WellLife Network (Lead Developer/Service Provider)
CSD Housing, LLC (Housing Development Consultant)
Urban Architectural Initiatives (Architect)
Monica Lopez Architect
L. Riso & Sons Co. (Contractor)

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