Fortune Society and Jonathan Rose receive two awards for green development

The Fortune Society has been presented two awards for the development of Castle Gardens, a supportive and affordable housing facility for formerly incarcerated individuals and low income families from the community. The New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) named Fortune's Castle Gardens "Downstate Project of the Year" at its 12th Annual NYS Affordable Housing Conference. Awards were given to the Castle Gardens development team, The Fortune Society and Jonathan Rose Companies, recognizing its excellence in design, financing, construction techniques, affordability, community need, supportive services, and energy efficiency. NYSAFAH presented separate Awards for Excellence for best upstate and downstate projects accomplished in 2010. The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) selected Castle Gardens as an award winner in the "Special Needs Housing" category of this year's Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards competition. Fortune received the award at this year's Capitol Hill luncheon ceremony. The national awards program celebrates the best in affordable rental housing development. Co-developed by Jonathan Rose Cos., Castle Gardens is a 110,000 s/f facility that provides 114 studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, a computer lab, Wi-Fi, library, community room, landscaped roof terraces and play area and a 20,000 s/f service center offering all residents counseling services, case management, financial planning and other essential life skill development courses. Anticipating LEED Gold certification, the building's energy-efficient green design will lead to significant health benefits and cost savings. By providing supportive and affordable housing and essential services at the same site, Castle Gardens creates long-term housing solutions for people with histories of incarceration and their families. Eligibility for the low-income residents is 60% (or less) of the median average income of the local neighborhood. The Fortune Society believes - and research has shown - that without immediate help in the form of supportive housing, these individuals are at risk of returning to jail or prison within the first month after release. Living in a home that's safe and stable in a building that offers social services as well can make all the difference during that transition time.