April 24, 2025

New York, NY – A homeless shelter which has long served as an emergency safety net in this community, will soon provide lasting stability. The City is reimagining 1605 Nelson Avenue in the Bronx as deeply affordable, service-enriched housing for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness – marking the first designation under HPD's re-released 2023 Supportive Housing RFQ.

Today, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS) announced that BronxWorks, in partnership with Slate Property Group, has been selected to rehabilitate the shelter location into 129 apartments of permanent supportive housing, plus a ground-floor early childhood education center serving both residents and the surrounding community.

"This project represents a turning point in how we tackle the housing and homelessness crisis," said Acting HPD Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. "We're confronting the crisis by focusing on the future, not the past. For 1605 Nelson, that means turning the page on its past as a temporary shelter and creating permanent, affordable homes for New Yorkers currently living without that permanency for themselves and their families. This is how we create the conditions for a future we all deserve: one where we provide real, lasting stability for people who have waited far too long for a safe, permanent place to call home."

"This site will continue to provide the Morris Heights section of the Bronx with critical resources and relief for New Yorkers who experienced homelessness and housing instability," said DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. "We are excited for the New Yorkers who will be occupying these permanent, deeply affordable homes and enjoying the wraparound services and benefits that will allow them to become more financially independent and confident in their long-term prospects. This project represents another in a long line of innovative approaches this administration has taken to addressing a housing crisis fueled by a citywide vacancy rate of 1.4 percent, and we are thankful to see it come to fruition for people in need."

This project embodies a growing shift in how the City addresses homelessness: by transforming vacant and underutilized public land into high-quality homes with onsite support services. It also reflects a broader goal of the NYC 15/15 Initiative–to create 15,000 supportive homes over 15 years–as well as the City's commitment to investing in housing that improves outcomes while reducing reliance on costly emergency systems.

The Site

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelter site, located at in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx, will be transformed into a gut-renovated, permanent supportive housing development for formerly homeless individuals and families.

Currently, the site is a city-owned building which was most recently operated as an 80-unit Tier II family shelter. After 31 years of continuous use, the shelter capacity has been relocated to enable much-needed structural and systems upgrades.

The Development Team: BronxWorks + Slate

This project will be delivered through a joint venture between BronxWorks–one of the Bronx's leading nonprofit homeless service providers–and Slate Property Group, a mission-driven developer with a track record of delivering affordable and supportive housing across the five boroughs. At conversion, Slate will transfer full ownership to BronxWorks.

"BronxWorks is thrilled that this transformative project is moving forward as we work with our partners to develop more housing for the communities we serve," said Eileen Torres, CEO of BronxWorks. "The building will be completely reimagined and feature vital supportive services to lift lives and build futures for our Bronx neighbors."

"We are so proud to be working along our non-profit partner BronxWorks to deliver this amazing supportive housing project in Morris Heights. These permanent homes with on-site staff and programs help our fellow New Yorkers live independent lives and reach their full potential. We are so grateful for the City's investment in these programs and their trust in our team to deliver this vital project," said David Schwartz, Principal of Slate Property Group.

Project Highlights and Amenities

Highlights of the project include:

• At least 129 affordable housing units
• 91 supportive housing units for formerly homeless households
• A fully rehabilitated building with modern layouts, new elevators, and ADA accessibility
• A licensed early childhood education center on the ground floor

The renovated 1605 Nelson Avenue building will feature an improved design and layout with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency by transitioning to all-electric building systems. Residents will have access to onsite amenities that will include outdoor green and recreation spaces to foster stability, well-being, and connection among residents. The 105,000-square-foot building will be fully rehabilitated to meet ADA standards. As part of the rehabilitation, elevators will be installed and the steep staircase at the building's entrance will be replaced with an ADA accessible entrance.

Moreover, the renovated building's ground floor will feature an expanded childhood care center that will be open to residents and the broader neighborhood.

Supportive Services:

• BronxWorks will provide wraparound supportive services onsite, including comprehensive case management, behavioral and mental health support, benefits navigation, financial management and connections to medical and community partners.
• Staff will coordinate with each resident's network to ensure continuity of care and housing stability.

The Planning Process + History of the Site

The 2023 Supportive Housing RFQ–re-released by HPD in May 2023–sought to expand the City's pipeline of supportive housing by identifying qualified nonprofit sponsors with deep community roots and the capacity to develop permanently, affordable housing on city-owned land. The RFQ focused on applicants' track record in development, social service provision, community engagement, and financial readiness. BronxWorks was among the sponsors selected in December 2023.

Unlike previous RFPs, the RFQ did not include specific project proposals. Instead, it created a pipeline of qualified sponsors that HPD could match with public sites over time. The goal: create a flexible, community-first path to turning vacant public land into lasting housing solutions.

This designation, at 1605 Nelson, is the first site award under the 2023 RFQ. Originally acquired by the City in 1984 via In Rem foreclosure, the building became a shelter operated by BronxWorks in 1992. While it provided essential transitional housing for decades, age and deterioration made its continued use unsustainable. With relocation complete, this designation clears the way for ULURP and public engagement.

Tackling the Homeless Crisis while Building Permanent Affordable Housing

In New York City, there is a pressing need for both temporary homeless shelters and permanent affordable housing–to provide immediate relief while building a more stable, housed city. In recent years, this building has served as a vital resource, offering shelter to those who need it most. Now, we're excited for its next chapter: delivering permanent affordable housing to New Yorkers who have experienced homelessness, as well as others who qualify through the housing lottery.

In the meantime, the City may use it as a shelter while the development process gets underway, ensuring that it serves New Yorkers in need rather than sitting empty.

A Broader Commitment to Housing on Public Land

This designation is part of HPD's growing portfolio of public land redevelopment projects advancing under Mayor Adams' housing blueprint. Recent progress includes:

• Selecting development teams for new affordable housing in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn and Mott Haven, Bronx
• Launching new RFPs in Crotona Park East and Boerum Hill
• Advancing community engagement for future development in Inwood, Hunter's Point South, and the East Village

HPD's efforts to activate city-owned sites reflect a long-term strategy: to build a fairer, healthier city by making affordable, stable housing the foundation–not the fallback–for New Yorkers in need.