Supportive/affordable apartment development completed in Boerum Hill

Beneficiaries include people with mental health & substance abuse problems, formerly homeless, veterans

May 9, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
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The completion of Nevins Street Apartments, a $72 million mixed-use housing development that creates accessible, supported and affordable homes in Boerum Hill, was celebrated on Monday by Commissioner Ruthanne Visnaukas of the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal, Mayor Eric Adams and others.

The development complex, at 50 Nevins St. between State and Schermerhorn streets, includes the entire renovation of a century-old building and the new construction of an adjacent 10-story building. It features 129 affordable apartments, including 78 supportive homes reserved for individuals who need tailored services to live independently and 6,000 square feet of commercial space.

Nevins Street Apartments has a total of 129 apartments across two buildings that share a common core. The development includes the substantial rehabilitation of an existing building originally constructed in 1912 as a single-room-occupancy residential facility for single women by the YWCA.

During last 30 years, the Institute for Community Living has operated the building as an Office of Mental Health-licensed transitional housing facility. The redevelopment converted the existing single rooms into self-contained apartments.

The newly-constructed 10-story building stands on an adjacent parking lot. Amenities include common laundry facilities, 24/7 front desk security, a community room, a gym and yoga room, a computer lab and a classroom. The developer is the Institute for Community Living.

Of the 129 apartments, 78 are reserved for formerly homeless individuals, veterans, young adults, and individuals recovering from a substance use disorder. The remaining apartments are affordable to households earning at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income.

Residents will have access to the Institute for Community Living’s comprehensive onsite support services including counseling, parenting and life skills, family reunification and stabilization, health education, social and recreational services, and linkage to community services.

Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, who helped preside over the ceremony, said, “Taking a century-old building and creating 129 affordable and supportive homes for some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers demonstrates the type of collaboration and vision needed to combat homelessness and strengthen communities.”

Commissioner Ruthanne Visnaukas of the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal, Mayor Eric Adams and others take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Nevins Street Apartments.

The development’s retail space will face Schermerhorn Street, the neighborhood’s major commercial corridor.

“We need to solve the crisis of homelessness with the crisis of housing, and I am proud to have supported a project as borough president, and now as mayor that helps us do exactly that,” Adams said. “This project represents exactly what we need more of in New York City: collaboration between city and state to provide affordable homes for families in shelters, New Yorkers struggling with mental health challenges, or veterans who have served our country bravely and need a place to call home.”

“New York is committed to tackling the housing crisis with transformative projects like Nevins Street Apartments that drive neighborhood revitalization and provide New Yorkers with the support and stability they need to thrive,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Commissioner Ruthanne Visnaukas of the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal at Monday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for Nevins Street Apartments.

Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, who represents the area, said, “I’m simply thrilled to celebrate the opening of ICL’s Nevins Street Apartments which will provide much needed affordable apartments, including supportive housing and an array of services. I look forward to welcoming our new neighbors to the community and thank ICL for the tremendous hard work.”

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, “This development not only was built on a parking lot — bringing a much more valuable use to this land — but also reserves apartments that will cater to vulnerable populations, including the formerly homeless and at-risk young adults, and will have conveniently-located amenities.”

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