Project HOPE holds ribbon-cutting for elderly housing
BY STEVEN GOODSTEIN
There is a new reason to be
HOPEful for seniors at a Bartow
Avenue residence.
On Thursday, August 22,
NYS Homes & Community Renewal,
Connolly and Partners,
B’nai B’rith Senior Housing,
First Hartford Realty Corporation
and Project HOPE residents
gathered for a ribboncutting
ceremony to celebrate
the completed renovations of
senior housing development
Project HOPE, located at 2050
Bartow Avenue.
The rehabilitation at Project
HOPE was implemented to
improve its residents’ quality
of life as well as to preserve the
affordable housing for seniors.
In total, Project HOPE underwent
a $34 million renovation.
All 100 units received improvements
and are now
equipped with new bathrooms,
kitchen appliances, lighting
and were repainted. Exterior
and common areas were also
renovated and now include upgraded
security system, smoke
detectors, sprinklers, electrical,
new masonry, replacement
exterior doors, elevators, safety
windows, plumbing infrastructure,
boilers and pumps.
Martin Adelstein (c) with representatives of NYS Homes & Community Renewal, Connolly and Partners and First
Hartford Realty Corporation for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Schneps Media / Steven Goodstein
The 100-unit senior housing
development, which was
originally constructed in 1992,
includes 25 studios and 74 onebedroom
apartments as well as
a single two-bedroom unit for
the on-site superintendent.
“Low-income seniors are
among the population most
urgently in need of affordable
housing,” said Borough President
Ruben Diaz Jr. “This
project is a step in the right direction
to fulfi ll the demand
for affordable housing in our
growing city, ensuring that our
senior population can remain
in the communities they call
home as they enjoy their golden
years.”
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, AUGUST 3 28 0-SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 BTR
Diaz Jr. also thanked NYS
Homes & Community Renewal
for addressing the community
needs and for facilitating the
borough’s sustainable growth.
“I would like to thank Project
HOPE, B’nai B’rith and the
NYS Homes and Community
Renewal for their commitment
in creating affordable housing
units for seniors in Co-op
City, which is the largest Naturally
Occurring Retirement
Community in the country and
serves its large senior population
in various capacities, such
as providing senior recreation,
senior centers and events,” said
Senator Jamaal Bailey.
“I applaud NYS Homes &
Community Renewal for taking
the lead in the renovation
of B’nai B’rith’s Project HOPE,
which created a sorely needed
affordable housing targeted to
our low-income seniors,” said
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto.
“The project’s Section
8 status will ensure this housing
will remain affordable for
many, many years to come.”
The renovation of the 25-
year old development, which
sets aside units for low-income
households which include at
least one member aged 62 and
older, will preserve affordability
for an additional 40 years.
All units are also set aside for
households with incomes at or
below 60 percent area median
income.
“The Adelstein family is
honored and takes great pride
in the redevelopment of this
residence,” said Martin Adelstein,
president of Project
HOPE Development Corporation.
“Over 40 years ago, our
father, Bernie Edelstein, the
founder and pioneer of Project
HOPE, spearheaded this wonderful
example of his commitment
to establish affordable
housing for seniors.”
Following the ribbon-cutting
ceremony, which was held
in Project HOPE’s community
garden, a lunch was held for
the residents and all in attendance.