Veterans housing at The Bridge has been a major focus. In response to the large number of homeless veterans who are also struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues, The Bridge has launched a veterans initiative. There are currently 4 residences now in various stages of development that will accomodate veterans in different ways. 

Bridge Gardens Veterans Residence -

This 17-unit building in the Bronx is under construction and scheduled to open in the spring of 2013. In addition to providing quality housing, the program will offer on-site support and case management services that will link the homeless veterans to appropriate services in the community including health, mental health, education and socialization. On January 6, 2012 we had a groundbreaking ceremony at which many distinguished government officials participated along with Bridge board members and staff.

Tilden Gardens - 

This 60-unit building will begin construction in February 2012 in Brooklyn and will provide housing with services for 45 homeless veterans with mental health conditions and 15 young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 aging out of foster care or children’s residential treatment facilities. The program will provide on-site services and activities and a large urban farm where tenants can receive job training and paid employment and fresh vegetables.

Melrose Commons Veterans Residence - 

The 60-unit building to be developed in the Bronx on city-owned land (referred to as the new “Gateway to the South Bronx”) will be home to returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who are homeless and have mental health conditions or substance abuse. The project will include a hydroponic greenhouse that will offer job training and paid employment to the veterans and fresh produce to all of the tenants. The project will also include green roofs and has received an Enterprise Green Communities grant to help in the development of green features. We expect to begin construction in late 2013 once the property is transferred to The Bridge and funding is secured.

Herkimer Street Veterans Residence - 

This 53-unit building in Brooklyn will be integrated housing which will provide housing and services to: 20 low income families (veterans and/or surviving spouses and children); 20 homeless veterans with mental health conditions; and 20 young adults aging out of foster care or children’s residential treatment facilities. The project, which will include solar energy and other green features, is in the design phase. It has received an allocation of 9% low income housing tax credits from NYS and we expect to begin construction in late fall 2012.