Media & Press from Central Harlem Ribbon Cutting

October 26, 2023


Jeannette Ruffins, CEO of Homeward NYC, speaks at the Homeward Central Harlem ribbon cutting event

On October 24, 2023, Homeward NYC hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Homeward Central Harlem!

Our new residence provides 50 units of supportive housing for formerly homeless young adults in an LGBTQIA-affirming environment. Although LGBTQIA individuals are estimated at just seven percent of the total population, an astounding 40% of all homeless young adults identify as LGBTQIA.

The ceremony began with remarks from Homeward Central Harlem development and financing partners, and concluded with a building tour. Event speakers included The Honorable Mark Levine (Manhattan Borough President), Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas (New York State Homes and Community Renewal), Annie Tirschwell (Type A Projects), Jeannette Ruffins (CEO of Homeward NYC), Elizabeth Zeldin (Enterprise Community Partners), Emily Lehman (NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development), Eric Steinberg (KeyBank), Sam Ganeshan (Hudson Housing Capital), Pascale Leone (Executive Director of the Supportive Housing Network of New York), and Guido Subotovsky and Peter Boboris (Azimuth Development Group). Read more…

Photo gallery

Exclusive interview with Gay City News

Message from the office of Governor Kathy Hochul

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said, “Homeward Central Harlem will be lifesaving and life changing for its residents. The combination of stable housing with wraparound services will be invaluable to laying a secure foundation for residents’ young adulthood. Projects like Homeward are an outstanding model of community-oriented supportive housing.

Annie Tirschwell of Type A Projects

Annie Tirschwell, Principal of Type A Projects and co-developer of the project, said, “I am truly humbled as we welcome our young adult residents to Homeward Central Harlem. After years of moving the mountain of details that housing development in New York City requires, the clarity of why we do this work crystalizes on move-in day, as some of our most vulnerable fellow New Yorkers get keys to a fresh start. We are incredibly grateful to our hard-working and inspiring State and City agency partners, lenders, consultants, and development partners who have made this all possible. This collaboration, under the steady and compassionate hand of Homeward NYC, will change the lives of all who come through their welcoming doors.”

Peter Boboris of Azimuth Development Group

Peter Boboris, Director of Development of Azimuth Development Group, said, “Azimuth Development is thrilled to have been a part of this transformative development, along with Homeward NYC and Type A Projects. New York faces a housing crisis like we have never seen, and this project provides housing and supportive services to many of our most vulnerable New Yorkers. We would like to extend our gratitude to our partners at HCR, HPD, KeyBank, Hudson Housing Capital, and the rest of the development team for bringing this project to fruition.”

RuthAnne Visnauskas of New York State Homes and Community Renewal

RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner of  New York State Homes and Community Renewal, said, “We are proud to be a part of this LGBTQIA+ affirming development that will truly be life-changing for 50 young adults. In addition to affordable homes, Homeward Central Harlem will ensure that current and future residents have access to compassionate support and the resources they need to achieve stability and independence. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are working to ensure that every New Yorker can know the safety and dignity that only a home to call your own can provide. Congratulations to our development team and our city and private partners for the successful completion of this project that will benefit LGBTQIA+ young people for decades to come.”

Adolfo Carrión Jr. of Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Adolfo Carrión Jr., Commissioner of the City of New York Department of Housing Preservation and Development, said, “It’s heartbreaking that so many young LGBTQIA New Yorkers face the challenge of finding a safe and affordable place to live. At this site, HPD and Homeward NYC are working together to provide a warm and welcoming home for LGBTQIA residents, who are so often affected by housing insecurity. We are incredibly proud to support this project, which will provide essential facilities and services, and serve as a beacon of courage and acceptance for LGBTQIA New Yorkers across the city.”

Eric Steinberg of KeyBank

Eric Steinberg, Senior Banker with KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment, said, “KeyBank is proud to support the work of organizations like Homeward NYC, Type A Projects and Azimuth Development Group. Public-private partnerships are critical to the development of affordable housing, and we are thrilled to have worked with HCR and HPD on this project. KeyBank is invested in the expansion of its community impact, and we continue to provide more capital to low-income communities throughout New York City and the country.”

Michael Siroka, Vice President, Hudson Housing Capital, said, “Hudson Housing Capital is excited to see its partnership with Homeward NYC, Type A Projects, and Azimuth come to fruition at Homeward Central Harlem. This property will offer essential social services and provide young adult residents with a safe place to live independently in an LGBTQIA-affirming environment for many years to come. We thank and commend all those public and private entities involved in this meaningful development for their collaboration.”

Baaba Halm, Vice President and New York Market Leader of Enterprise Community Partners, said, “Enterprise is thrilled to celebrate the opening of Homeward Central Harlem and was proud to play a part in its development with a $1.8 million grant. Around 40 percent of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ. In creating 50 units of permanent supportive housing and offering comprehensive onsite services, this site will not only be meeting a housing need, but will provide LGBTQ-affirming care for all those who pass through its doors. Congratulations to Homeward NYC, Type A Projects, Azimuth Development Group, HCR, HPD, and all other partners involved in this joyful milestone.”

Peter Lillestolen, Vice President, Production & Sales of Targeted Affordable Housing for Freddie Mac, said, “Freddie Mac is proud to be part of the team that came together and opened the door to affordable housing that is safe and sustainable. By providing innovative multifamily financing options like forward commitments, Freddie Mac is able to advance its mission to expand housing opportunities in underserved communities and increase stability in times of market uncertainty.”

Michael Siroka of Hudson Housing Capital

Michael Siroka, Vice President, Hudson Housing Capital, said, “Hudson Housing Capital is excited to see its partnership with Homeward NYC, Type A Projects, and Azimuth come to fruition at Homeward Central Harlem. This property will offer essential social services and provide young adult residents with a safe place to live independently in an LGBTQIA-affirming environment for many years to come. We thank and commend all those public and private entities involved in this meaningful development for their collaboration.”

Baaba Halm of Enterprise Community Partners

Baaba Halm, Vice President and New York Market Leader of Enterprise Community Partners, said, “Enterprise is thrilled to celebrate the opening of Homeward Central Harlem and was proud to play a part in its development with a $1.8 million grant. Around 40 percent of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ. In creating 50 units of permanent supportive housing and offering comprehensive onsite services, this site will not only be meeting a housing need, but will provide LGBTQ-affirming care for all those who pass through its doors. Congratulations to Homeward NYC, Type A Projects, Azimuth Development Group, HCR, HPD, and all other partners involved in this joyful milestone.”

Peter Lillestolen of Freddie Mac

Peter Lillestolen, Vice President, Production & Sales of Targeted Affordable Housing for Freddie Mac, said, “Freddie Mac is proud to be part of the team that came together and opened the door to affordable housing that is safe and sustainable. By providing innovative multifamily financing options like forward commitments, Freddie Mac is able to advance its mission to expand housing opportunities in underserved communities and increase stability in times of market uncertainty.”

 

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Video by funding partner Freddie Mac

Homeward NYC is a 30-year old 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization that provides housing and wraparound care services that empower homeless youth, families, and older adults to live life forward. In addition to the new Central Harlem site, Homeward NYC owns and operates two other LGBTQIA-affirming young adult supportive housing sites (West Harlem and the Bronx), as well as an intergenerational building that is a transitional family shelter for homeless mothers and their children and affordable housing for low-income and homeless seniors. At each housing site, Homeward NYC provides support services including case management, life skills, counseling, community partnerships, and group activities.