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A rendering of what a new supportive housing project at 2142 Amsterdam Ave. might look like.
Community League of the Heights (CLOTH), a Washington Heights-based nonprofit, announced at February’s Community Board 12 Land Use Committee meeting that it had secured to start building a supportive housing project at 2142 Amsterdam Ave. near W. 166th Street.
Yvonne Stennett, executive director of CLOTH, which provides housing, educational, and other social services as well as administering a food pantry, said the current plan for the building is to house single adults suffering from mental illness who are at risk of chronic homelessness. The project includes 42 studio size units each with a private bathroom and a kitchenette. Job training, career development, and other social services will be provided on site.
The $6 million project has been approved by the city’s Housing Preservation and Development Department (HPD).
According to Samir Shah, architect with the Urban Quotient firm which designed the project, the multilayer design of the building will provide its tenants a sense of belonging, and will provide protection from outside influences.
Stennett also pointed out that, although the facility will offer permanent housing, residents will be encouraged to move into unsupported housing as they become prepared to live independently. Residents will have leases and pay rent.
Initially, the site located at 2142 Amsterdam Avenue was purchased by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, which wanted to utilize the space for a community servicing facility, but the lot was too small to build housing units. Following the efforts of both CLOTH and the hospital, the two lots adjacent to the property were also purchased giving enough room to begin the project.
Construction is scheduled to begin in December and be completed within 18 months.
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