HELP ONE Building A & B in Brooklyn, 255 low-income and supportive homes with 154 reserved for individuals and families who have experienced homelessness officially opened today. The $129 million development reflects New York City’s and New York State’s commitment to expanding access to safe, affordable housing, especially for the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Developed by HELPDevCo, with funding from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), Bank of New York Mellon, Regions Affordable Housing, and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the new apartment buildings help fill a dire need for permanent affordable and supportive housing, especially in the East New York section of Brooklyn. Supportive services are contracted with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and in coordination with the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA).
New York City Council Member for District 42, Chris Banks said, “HELP USA’s commitment to East New York shines brightly with a significant $129 million investment, marking the inauguration of 255 new apartments. Among these residences, 154 units have been thoughtfully earmarked to provide essential housing for formerly homeless adults and young families with children. This initiative not only addresses the pressing need for affordable housing in the community but also embodies HELP USA’s unwavering dedication to supporting vulnerable populations on their journey to stability and self-sufficiency.”
HELP ONE Building A & B are the first phase of a planned four-building complex that will ultimately add more than 500 affordable apartments and upwards of 2000 new jobs, strengthening HELP USA’s long-term commitment to this neighborhood. Upon completion, all residences will share communal spaces, including an open courtyard, a dog park, built-in grills, and various picnic and passive-use areas. “Our administration is focused on solving our housing supply crisis, which also requires ensuring that the most vulnerable New Yorkers have access to safe, affordable housing and supportive services,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “HELP ONE, built in collaboration with City, State, and private partners, is an example of how many New Yorkers are building together to solve our intertwined needs. Homeless and vulnerable families deserve the quality housing that these 255 homes will provide.”
“This administration’s dedication to creating secure, affordable housing for New Yorkers in need is deeply reflected in the development of 255 new homes at HELP ONE Building A & B,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg, “Providing housing, supportive services, and community space is core to this project. It is particularly meaningful to see so many homes for formerly homeless families located where shelter used to be, as the first portion of a site that will eventually include over 500 new affordable homes.”
“Supportive housing isn’t just shelter; it’s a lifeline for the most vulnerable New Yorkers, providing stable homes where they can access resources that truly help them thrive,” said HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “Help One A&B is HPD’s core mission in action: to house every single New Yorker at deeply affordable levels, regardless of income, regardless of age, without exception.”
“The first phase of HELP ONE delivers more than 250 affordable homes, coupled with wraparound supportive services for residents who have previously experienced homelessness,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “HDC is proud to be a part of this critically important project, and we commend HELP USA for their commitment to serving the housing needs of the East New York community.”
“The Health Department is excited to continue our partnership with HELP USA as they expand their efforts to support families as they plan their future and gain skills that promote independence, health, and wellness,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Providing housing and supportive social services to those experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and often both is critical as we work to make New York City healthier for all.”
The East New York site of HELP ONE is the original location of HELP USA’s first family shelter, founded in 1986 by former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo. Noted in a New York Times article as “the first housing specially built for homeless families in New York State,” the original HELP 1 was constructed through a then unprecedented public-private partnership between New York City and New York State government agencies, financiers, developers, and non-profits. Following this transformative transitional housing project, HELP USA began developing permanent affordable housing in 1992, again investing in East New York, constructing Genesis Homes, 150 supportive apartments for families, half of whom were formerly homeless. These models set a national standard presented to Congress and have been widely replicated; their echoes are seen today in the new project nearly 40 years later.
HELPDevCo President David Cleghorn said, “The new HELP ONE stands as a testament to the vision of our founders and the strength of the idea that public-private partnerships can and do solve problems. Providing safe, quality housing for people in need is where we started as a company, and it remains our guiding principle today.”
“This development in the East New York section of Brooklyn provides urgently needed permanent affordable and supportive housing to formerly homeless adults and young families,” said New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Acting Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn. “Supportive housing with on-site access to essential services has the power to transform the lives of some of our most vulnerable fellow New Yorkers. The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program’s investment in this collaborative project underscores Governor
Hochul’s commitment to ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to safe, affordable housing.”
Building A, comprising 184 homes with a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, will reserve 60% of units for formerly homeless young families. Building B, comprising 71 homes, including studios and one and two-bedroom apartments, will reserve 60% of its units for formerly homeless adults dealing with mental health and substance abuse concerns. HELP USA will provide supportive services in both buildings through New York City’s 15/15 Program.
“The development of new, high-quality affordable and supportive housing is a crucial step towards connecting more New Yorkers experiencing homelessness to the supportive services and stable housing they deserve,” said DHS Administrator Joslyn Carter. “With 255 affordable and supportive apartments in total, including 154 units exclusively reserved for New Yorkers who formerly experienced homelessness, the HELP
ONE is poised to provide long-term stability to countless vulnerable New Yorkers.”
Designed to meet sustainability standards, the buildings’ energy-efficient features include energy recovery ventilators and solar photovoltaics that will improve the building’s ventilation and overall air quality, creating healthier living spaces while decreasing energy costs for residents. HELP ONE was awarded $1,000,000 from NYSERDA’s Building of Excellence Round 1 Competition and awarded $300,000 from NYSERDA’s
Multifamily New Construction Housing Program.
“NYSERDA is pleased to see the completion of HELP ONE, a past winner of our signature Buildings of Excellence Competition,” said Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA. “With the incorporation of onsite solar, heat pump technology and other energy efficient features, this clean and carbon neutral-ready multifamily building will ensure that more vulnerable New Yorkers will have access to modern, healthy and
affordable living spaces.”
Situated for easy access to public transportation, pharmacies, grocery stores, and public parks, the buildings’ layout, designed by Curtis + Ginsberg and built by Monadnock Construction, employs trauma-informed design theory to create welcoming spaces that are both useful and beautiful.
Mark Ginsberg, Partner, Curtis + Ginsberg Architects, said, “It continues to be an honor working with HELPDevCo and HELP USA, who push the envelope on building design, sustainability, and high-quality housing. They talked with us about all aspects of their needs and operations, sharing input to make the building and the environment as great as possible for residents and the community. This project is the outcome of a
collective effort and sets a new standard for sustainable, affordable, and supportive housing and neighborhood enhancement.”
Greg Bauso, President, Monadnock Construction, said, “Monadnock is pleased to work with HELP on this project. It marks the latest venture in a more than decade old relationship between our companies that has yielded high quality, affordable housing for vulnerable New Yorkers. Working with HELP gives us an opportunity to impact lives and communities in a way everyone at Monadnock can be proud of. We look forward to another decade of transformative development in East New York, Brownsville and beyond.” HELP USA will provide supportive services for residents, including mental health counseling, parenting classes, certified art therapist-led workshops, case management, and employment assistance. Additionally, the on-site staff will facilitate connections to community resources, anchor the new residents in the neighborhood, and provide support to help ensure long-term housing stability.
HELP USA President and CEO Dan Lehman, said, “The HELP ONE complex is centered on the needs of its residents, ensuring they remain stably housed in high-quality, affordable apartments. This focus reflects our history, our present, and our future. Whether that means preventing homelessness, providing transitional housing, or creating a supportive community in permanent housing, HELP USA will be there for those who need us the most. We are grateful to all our partners in realizing these goals.”
HELP ONE continues HELP USA’s nearly 40-year commitment to combatting homelessness. To date, through HELPDevCo, the agency has developed 29 affordable housing programs across the country – with 1,947 units – which are home to underserved populations, including young mothers, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, people living with HIV, and formerly homeless families and adults. Our work is headquartered in New York and extends to New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Nevada.
