Selfhelp celebrates completion of $43 million rehabilitation

Selfhelp Community Services, Inc., New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Enterprise celebrated the completion of the $43 million rehabilitation of the Helen R. Scheuer House (K-I) and the Martin Lande House (K-II), two buildings containing 420 units of senior affordable housing. The buildings were renovated to preserve the affordable units and improve the quality of life for over 510 seniors. Selfhelp is a nonprofit dedicated to enabling the elderly and other at-risk populations to live in their own homes, independently. The completion of the project takes place during the organization's year-long 75th anniversary celebration. "Today, we not only celebrate the physical preservation of these developments, but preservation of Selfhelp's history, the apartments' affordability and the residents' independence," said Stuart Kaplan, CEO, Selfhelp Community Services. "I am delighted to be a partner in ensuring that this community has decent and safe housing for many years to come," said HUD regional administrator Adolfo Carrión. "I applaud Selfhelp, Enterprise and NYSHCR for their unrelenting commitment to long-term investment in the preservation of quality affordable housing." "Governor Cuomo is committed to assisting seniors throughout New York State and HCR is proud to have worked with Selfhelp and our government partners to provide the financing that will help preserve the historic Scheuer and Lande Houses," said HCR commissioner/CEO Darryl Towns. Selfhelp made several renovations to the following areas: lobbies, elevator cabs, community rooms, laundry rooms, client-centered technology rooms, hallways, public restrooms, the façade, balconies, the parking lot and the roof. In addition, both buildings feature new windows, handrails, insulation, security desks, energy-efficient lighting, smart boards, signage, boilers and water tanks, an emergency generator, and new trash chutes. The rehabilitation is one of the first financings in New York City to benefit from the allocation of federal stimulus money authorized under the American Resource Recovery Act (ARRA).