New Destiny completes structural phase of McLean Place - supportive housing

Bronx, NY New Destiny Housing, one of New York City’s largest provider of supportive housing for domestic violence survivors, has reached a major construction milestone with the completion of the structural phase of McLean Place, a 72-apartment supportive housing community that will set aside 43 homes for survivors and their children exiting the shelter system. Named in honor of New Destiny’s founding executive director and long-term board member, Charles McLean, Jr., who passed away in July 2023, the topping-off puts the city’s latest building dedicated to ending the twin crises of homelessness and domestic violence in New York one step closer to completion.

Domestic violence is one of the city’s largest driver of family homelessness, but few housing options exist that give survivors an affordable place to call home along with the resources they need to rebuild their lives and their children’s lives. Supportive housing combines affordable apartments with on-site services — such as case management and therapeutic programs for children — to give residents not just a safe place to live, but the support they need to thrive. By providing 43 apartments for survivors, McLean Place will help ease the burden on the shelter system and ensure the safety and dignity of families that have lost their homes in order to escape abuse.

“Supportive housing has proven time and time again that it brings long-term stability to families that have experienced the unimaginable. We are thrilled that McLean Place will bring more, much needed affordable housing to the Bronx, and especially proud of the lifesaving resources that we will bring along with it,” said Nicole Branca, CEO of New Destiny Housing. “We want to thank all of our partners in the development of this building with a special thanks today to our construction team that has gotten us all the way to the roof in just ten months’ time. We look forward to the final completion of this project so that more New York families have a safe and stable place to rebuild their lives free of violence and abuse.”

Financing for McLean Place involves a mix of public and private funding, including $25 million from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Supportive Housing Loan Program, $9.7 million from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, and a $14M construction loan from Capital One. Hudson Housing Capital syndicated $16 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit for the project, and acquisition and pre-development funding was made possible thanks to the Corporation for Supportive Housing and Deutsche Bank’s Supportive Housing Acquisition and Rehabilitation Effort. The project will receive operating funds from Section 8 project-based vouchers as well as New York’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.

“We’ve been deeply inspired by the mission of New Destiny so the design for this Passive House building prioritizes the physical health and mental wellbeing of its future residents. It’s so wonderful to reach this milestone and get one step closer to more high-quality homes for those in need,” said Fernando Villa, principal at Magnusson Architecture and Planning.

McLean Place will contain 72 apartments in a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom arrangements. The property will include a wide range of amenities for residents to enjoy, including a community room, common kitchen, library lounge, courtyard, fitness room, and security. McLean Place was designed to achieve Passive House certification and will be fully electric, featuring a solar array pergola system, which will also provide shade to the walk-out roof.

“The topping-off for McLean Place highlights the significance of a project’s roofline and its role in protecting the future residents from the elements,” said George Raptis, Principal and Vice President of The Penta Group. “Since our founding in 1992, The Penta Group has been committed to building quality housing and remains a dedicated partner in creating new affordable homes for our most vulnerable neighbors. We congratulate New Destiny Housing, the entire development team, and all project partners on this special milestone.”

In addition to providing much-needed housing for domestic violence survivors and lower-income New Yorkers, residents at McLean Place will have access to on-site supportive services, such as mental health counseling, case management, and recreational activities for adults and children alike. Magnusson Architecture and Planning designed the building, and Penta Restoration Corporation is the general contractor.