Melrose Commons

Organization Name: The Bridge with MAP

Project Location: 425 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY

Project Description:
Located on East 161st Street on previously city-owned land, Melrose Commons provides permanent supportive housing for 58 chronically-homeless adults with serious mental illness, giving a preference to Veterans. The building includes 100% affordable permanent homes, a community room with a communal kitchen, a training/conference room, laundry room, green roof and outdoor recreational space, office space to provide on-site case management services, counseling, and referral services for all tenants and 24/7 front desk attendance. The building is located on a mid-block site, one of the last in the Melrose Commons Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan. Adjacent to a new multifamily building, Elton Crossing, the pair’s orientation creates an enclosed courtyard with terraced gardens, providing opportunities for gardening and planting workshops and engaging sitting areas. The architecture contributes to the streetscape and conveys a warm and welcoming presence using high-quality materials, bold color, and providing ample natural light to the interiors. The building is certified by Enterprise Green Communities and green strategies enhance the overall quality of life for residents and reduce energy costs.

Community Impact:
Completing the final development within the Melrose Commons Master Plan indicates the end of a phase of historic transformation for the neighborhood. The Bridge’s ongoing work in the Bronx is extended to new residents and healthy, green, high-performance residential space, complements the mental health, substance abuse, and vocational services available for tenants. Another step toward addressing the homeless crisis in New York City is through permanent affordable housing like Melrose Commons which provides a permanent foundation for rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. The project created new, permanent jobs for front desk attendants, case managers, and maintenance staff. Additionally, the new tenants and staff will bolster economic development in the local community by utilizing local resources (grocery stores, etc.).

Organization Description:
The Bridge is a non-profit agency providing housing and behavioral health services to 2,800 New Yorkers each year. Our mission is to change lives by offering help, hope, and opportunity to the most vulnerable New Yorkers; our services are person-centered and trauma-informed, and designed to support clients’ recovery and independent living goals. Our highly-trained and skilled staff offer a comprehensive range of evidence-based services. The Bridge operates more than 50 programs each designed to meet the individual needs of the men and women we serve.

Team Members:

Magnusson Architecture and Planning - Architect
The J. Pilla Group Ltd.
GACE Consulting Engineers
Sideris Kefalas Engineers P.C.
Bright Power
Design 2147
Terrain

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

    A proud, welcoming building on 161st Street.

    The community room with a communal kitchen.

    Landscaped back garden with space for recreation.

    The training room is one of several amenities.

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