Morrisania, The Bronx
83 Affordable Rental units
Our Role:
Not-for-Profit Sponsor
Developer: Brisa Builders Corp. & Evergreen City
Architect: Heritage Architecture
General Contractor: Procida Construction
Financing: NYC Acquisition Loan Fund, Capital One, Hudson Housing Capital, NYC HPD, NYC HDC, NYS HCR
The project design is comprised of two 6-story buildings of 72 rental units marketed to low income families. Amenities include a tenant community room, management office, off-street and under-building parking, outdoor recreational and gardens area, laundry room, tenant storage and security systems. The ground floor has residential entries from both Westchester Avenue and Rogers Place, secured by an intercom system and video security cameras. A church sanctuary is located on the ground and cellar floors of Westchester Avenue building. The project consists of green building features, including energy efficient heating lighting and water usage systems. Located in the Morrisania section of Bronx Community District 2, a predominantly low and moderate income area with a growing population after two decades of decline. Nearly 26% of the population receives public assistance or other government income support. This new demand for affordable housing has spurred a substantial increase in new and rehabbed housing units in the immediate area, a mixture of moderate income rental, elderly and homeownership housing. Although hundreds of new housing units have been built, CD 2 remains one of the areas in New York City with a significant shortage of affordable housing.
Brisa Builders Development Group, LLC and Evergreen City LLC, proposed the joint venture development on a privately-owned vacant parcel owned by the Evangelical Church Disciples of Christ, Inc. The two nearby sites are located on Westchester Avenue and Rogers Place north of the East 163rd St intersection, the Morrisania section of Bronx CB 2. It is an area of active redevelopment and retail services. The financing includes the HPD LIHTC and the Special Needs Housing HOME program loan. City Capital Assistance grants from Borough President and Council Reso A funds are part of the financing. 100% of the units are marketed to low income families with a portion reserved for Community Board 2 preference. The units are targeted to low income working families at the income levels of: 7 units < 30% AMI, 10 Units < 40% AMI, 12 Units < 50% AMI, and 42 Units < 60% AMI. The sites were previously used as the Church parking lot. The sites are located close to the main commercial/retail thoroughfares, East 163rd Street and Prospect Avenue, with shopping and services, public transportation, health and medical services nearby. The development team includes Brisa Builders Development Group, LLC, a minority-owned, Brooklyn-based development and construction firm, Evergreen City, LLC, a NY/NJ based real estate development firm, founded by Principal Summer Alhamash as a Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE).
