Historic $335 Million Affordable Housing Development Breaks Ground in Highbridge, Bronx

Photo credit: Nkosi Hamilton Photography for Samaritan Daytop Foundation

Historic $335 Million Affordable Housing Development Breaks Ground in Highbridge, Bronx

• Award Winning Energy-Efficient Development is a Partnership Between Samaritan Daytop Foundation, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, NYC Housing Development Corporation, NYC Department of Homeless Services, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and NYS Energy Research and Development Authority

• The 422-unit project will offer residents access to 30,000 square feet of outdoor and community spaces, with social and support services delivered by Samaritan Daytop VillageThe 422-unit project will offer residents access to 30,000 square feet of outdoor and community spaces, with social and support services delivered by Samaritan Daytop Village

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(BRONX, NY - December 6, 2024) - Yesterday, New York City and New York State agencies, along with Samaritan Daytop Foundation, Samaritan Daytop Village, and a prestigious group of development partners broke ground on a mixed-use development that will include 422 units of permanently affordable, supportive, and transitional housing plus extensive outdoor space, a community facility, and an award-winning environmentally-friendly design. The building is expected to open in 2027.

“Highbridge is more than a building—it’s hope in action,” said Mitchell Netburn, President and CEO of Samaritan Daytop Foundation and Village. “At a time when affordable housing is a rarity, this innovative housing facility will provide beautiful, sustainable, and affordable homes paired with supportive services. It’s a foundation for brighter futures."

State funding for the development includes $15 million from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, and $1 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The balance of the total development cost is financed by the City of New York and includes tax exempt bonds and subsidized loans from the New York City Housing Development Corporation(HDC), and capital funds from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Supportive Housing Loan Program. Richman Housing Resources is contributing low-income housing tax credit equity and Citi Community Capital is providing a construction letter of credit, administering the construction financing and secured financing for the transitional housing component, which is backed by a long-term contract between Samaritan Daytop Village and the New York City Department of Homeless Services. Predevelopment financing was provided by Deutsche Bank, The Leviticus Fund, and the Down Payment Assistance Fund.

The development team consists of Magnusson Architecture & Planning (MAP); Samaritan Daytop Foundation; Mega Contracting; Ametrine; Hirschen Singer & Epstein; Dagher Engineering; GACE; terrain-nyc; AKRF; CANY; WALD Studio; Bright Power; ARMA Development; and Steven Winters Associates.

“Samaritan Daytop Village is an expression of our commitment to creating affordable housing that does more than just provide a living space—this is about building a community where families and individuals can thrive,” said HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “Thank you to Samaritan Daytop Foundation and our city and state partners for making this vision a reality in the heart of Highbridge. With 422 homes, supportive services, family-friendly amenities, energy-efficient features, and inviting open spaces, this development honors the site’s legacy of service, while giving New Yorkers a wholesome place to live.”

"With supportive housing and transitional units for families, all permanently affordable, Samaritan Daytop Village emphasizes the dedication of government and private partners to safe, quality, affordable housing and amenities for New Yorkers," said NYC Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. "Our collective advance to solve the housing crisis requires projects like Samaritan Daytop Village, and we're excited to see it break ground."

“This transformative development will soon deliver over 400 new units of affordable, supportive, and transitional housing, paired with on-site social services for residents,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “Thanks to all our partners for their commitment to this effort. SDV Highbridge will stand as a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in effectively addressing our city’s housing and homelessness crises.”

“As we face a historic housing shortage, creating new, affordable, and supportive housing is critical for building a more equitable city that works for everyone, including low-income and working-class New Yorkers,” said DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “But the truly transformative projects are ones which maximize the utility of a space, and Highbridge will do just that, producing not only 316 affordable and supportive apartments but 106 units of transitional housing for families in need. This incredible facility will ensure that every resident has the resources and amenities they need to thrive, and we look forward to working with Samaritan Daytop Village and all other partners to actualize this project.”

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “When completed, the Highbridge will provide Bronx residents with much-needed safe, affordable housing and connect formerly homeless families and adults with the resources they need to root firmly in this community. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for prioritizing the creation of affordable and supportive housing throughout New York State, and to Samaritan Daytop Village and all the state and New York City partners who are supporting the development of this important mixed-use project.”

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, "NYSERDA is thrilled to see Highbridge break ground in the Bronx as it will feature a multitude of services and energy efficiency measures that will benefit future residents, the community at large and the environment. This project is an example of how transforming aging infrastructure into healthy, affordable, modern housing for New Yorkers will help us continue to make progress toward a cleaner, more resilient future."

“This groundbreaking is a testament to the dedication of so many people and organizations starting with Samaritan Daytop Village, Ametrine, HDC and HPD, DHS, and OTDA,” said Richard Gerwitz, Managing Director of Citi Community Capital. “Citi is pleased to have played a part in this unique project, combining a purpose-built shelter for New York City’s unhoused population and much-needed affordable rental housing.”

“We would like to thank and acknowledge the hard work of our wonderful development partner, Samaritan Daytop Foundation for its commitment to create 316 units of supportive and affordable permanent housing, along with a 106-unit shelter,” said Kevin Hoffman, President of Richman Housing Resources LLC. “Highbridge is a great example of how public-private partnerships, using federal low-income housing tax credit programs, can create supportive and affordable housing.”

“The story of the Good Samaritan teaches us to show compassion and help those in need,” said Greg Maher, Executive Director of the Leviticus Fund. “We are pleased to be part of the effort that is making the good work at Highbridge possible. As a mission-driven lender, we provide hard-to-obtain early financing that helps a project get to construction closing. The Leviticus Fund congratulates Samaritan Daytop Foundation and the entire project team for planting seeds of hope in communities on the margins and serving people who are often vulnerable and voiceless.”

The development’s 395,000 square feet of residential space includes 316 affordable and supportive apartments, plus a co-located 106 units of transitional housing for families. A wide array of on-site support services will be provided by nonprofit Samaritan Daytop Village, the direct services partner agency of Samaritan Daytop Foundation. Samaritan Daytop Village has a track record of successfully supporting New Yorkers facing housing, mental health, and substance use challenges and currently helps about 35,000 individuals across New York.

Support services will include counseling, vocational training, independent living support, linkages with healthcare providers, assistance with obtaining government benefits, and family education.

The development, in the Highbridge area of the Bronx, is being constructed on a 71,000-square-foot site on a steep hill between University Avenue and Undercliff Avenue, at the foot of the historic High Bridge, New York’s oldest standing bridge, which opened in 1848. The creative architectural design will offer sweeping Manhattan skyline views to the south and beautifully curated paths and spaces for recreation and relaxation, along with high-quality, elegant apartments, a community facility on the ground floor, a playground, planted rooftop terraces, and laundry rooms.

Highbridge has already earned awards, including from NYSERDA’s Buildings of Excellence Competition, which came with a $1M prize. The development was designed to meet Passive House and Enterprise Green Communities standards. The design and construction approach includes a high-performance building envelope, an electric air source heat pump system for heating and cooling, heat pump water heaters that convert wastewater into heat, green infrastructure for stormwater management, and an urban farm with gardens, chickens, and composting (on one of the terraces). The design will ensure that Highbridge will provide the highest level of energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality for its residents.

The NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence Competition’s Blue Ribbon Design Jury praised MAP, the development’s architects, for their ambitious and thoughtful design aimed at improving the lives of its occupants and the wider neighborhood.

Formerly a monastery for Carmelite nuns, the original Highbridge building was purchased by Samaritan Daytop Foundation in 1982 and converted into a residential treatment center for men. The development team is preserving the building’s original front portico and other historical design features, including select stone, wooden, and metal elements. These elements will be integrated into the final interior and landscape design.

About Samaritan Daytop Foundation

About Samaritan Daytop FoundationSamaritan Daytop Foundation was created in 1979 as the fundraising, housing development, and real estate arm of Samaritan Daytop Village, and champions the mission of the organization to improve lives by helping people help themselves. Samaritan Daytop Foundation raises critical funds to help expand the vast array of programs and services, including housing and shelters, addiction, mental health, and employment programs, which collectively serve over 33,000 New Yorkers with person-centered care each year.

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