New 100% Affordable Housing in the Bronx

In a life-changing moment for hundreds of low-income New Yorkers who will soon have permanently affordable, newly constructed homes, the City opened 171 deeply affordable apartments at the “Melrose North” development in the South Bronx, at NYCHA’s Morrisania Air Rights campus. The apartments were officially opened in a October 28 ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the City’s housing agencies, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and NYCHA, along with partners Services for the UnderServed (S:US), Bronx Pro Group, and elected officials.

This development marks a major milestone in addressing the urgent need for affordable housing, as many New Yorkers — particularly those in the South Bronx — struggle to find stable homes amid a housing crisis and a historically low vacancy rate of just 1.4 percent, leaving little availability for extremely low-, very low-, and low-income households. In a borough where the median rent is $1,280 and more than half of households make less than $50,000 a year, more than half of residents are rent-burdened, spending over 30 percent of their income on housing. Homelessness has also hit the South Bronx disproportionately hard, with many single adults and families either displaced or at risk. Developments like Melrose North are crucial in addressing these challenges, providing 171 affordable homes, including 103 supportive housing apartments for formerly homeless individuals and families. By offering safe, stable housing, Melrose North is helping to ease the housing burden and reduce the growing displacement risk in this community. 

“Melrose North will provide 171 families in the South Bronx the affordability and services they need to truly grow and prosper in New York City,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “Melrose North will provide best-in-class amenities, such as bicycle storage, laundry facilities, a playground, as well as an education facility operated by DreamYard that will provide summer camps, after-school programs, and other programs to children in the Bronx community. This partnership between HPD and NYCHA shows that this administration is laser focused on using innovative solutions to provide homes and support for all New Yorkers.” 

“Melrose North is the type of affordable housing development that not only benefits future residents, but also the entire community,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “This project will not only provide 171 homes for formerly homeless individuals but will also give residents access to on-site professional counseling and resources to ensure they are on the best path to succeed and thrive.”

“Developments like Melrose North are key to tackling New York City’s housing crisis and demonstrate why we must continue saying YES to deeply affordable housing in every neighborhood. With 171 affordable homes, this project addresses a critical need in the South Bronx, where too many long-time residents are at risk of displacement. Melrose North sets a high standard model we need to see across the city. Thank you to our creative mix of partners for making this possible,” said HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. 

“Melrose North effectively addresses the housing needs of vulnerable New Yorkers by providing over 170 deeply affordable and supportive homes, coupled with modern amenities, educational programming for children, and comprehensive on-site supportive services,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “Congratulations to our partners on delivering such a transformative development that will further improve the wellbeing of every resident and the surrounding community.” 

“We are excited to celebrate this significant milestone for Melrose North and its residents,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “We thank our partners for working with us to build apartments on previously underutilized NYCHA land so that we can continue to do the important work of creating affordable housing for those who need it most.”   

“NYCHA is proud to join our partners today to welcome home 171 residents into this new, thoughtfully designed building,” said NYCHA Executive Vice President for Real Estate Development Jonathan Gouveia. “Melrose North and our partnership with BronxPro and S:US shows how NYCHA can continue to deliver on our mission, by using under utilized land to provide supportive, permanently affordable housing to New Yorkers in the midst of a housing crisis.”   

Building Breakdown + Amenities 

The development includes 51 studio, 53 one-bedroom, 56 two-bedroom, and 11 three-bedroom apartments, accommodating families of various sizes. 

Amenities include an on-site superintendent, front desk security, a community room, a residential yard, bicycle storage, and shared laundry facilities. Each residence is equipped with intercoms and energy-efficient appliances. Community amenities also feature a playground, garden space for gatherings, a mural that was co-created with NYCHA Morrisania Air Rights residents, and an arts education facility operated by DreamYard, which offers summer camps, after-school programs, and other opportunities for Bronx students. A newly constructed, fully accessible ramp to the adjacent Melrose Metro-North station provides access to public transit. 

On-site supportive services will be provided by S:US, giving residents direct access to professional counseling and resources. S:US housing services provide residents with access to additional support services to help meet their goals. They offer transitional and permanent housing in single-site residences, apartment buildings, and scattered-site apartments for adults in recovery from mental illness, adults with substance use issues, and adults living with HIV/AIDS. 

“At S:US, we believe the solution to homelessness is homes,” said Perry Perlmutter, President & CEO of Services for the UnderServed. “Melrose North doesn’t just provide affordable housing, it also creates a true community where residents can access the support they need to thrive long-term. We are so excited to welcome tenants to this wonderful new building and expand our presence in the Bronx.” 

“Bronx Pro and Home Builders are committed to building housing that thoughtfully addresses the needs of our community. Melrose North fully realizes that mission by leveraging underutilized land to provide safe, sustainable housing for our residents, while also offering the community an accessible ramp to the Metro-North train station, an innovative non-profit maker space that educates young people and a compactor space to service the waste management needs of our neighbors living in public housing. We appreciate the incredible partnerships that made the project possible,” said Bronx Pro Group, CEO, Samantha Magistro. 

“Melrose North was successfully designed and built to be highly energy efficient to provide sustainable housing for South Bronx for decades to come. C+GA and our consultant team are proud of what we have accomplished with S:US, Bronx Pro Group, NYCHA; grateful for the efforts of sponsoring City agencies, we join them in welcoming new neighbors to the community,” said Sean Flynn AIA, Partner. 

“DreamYard is proud to be a community partner and program provider in Melrose North and at 1085 Washington Avenue.  Bronx Pro stands as a beacon of innovation and community-centered development in affordable housing. Their commitment to creating high-quality, sustainable, and affordable living spaces in the Bronx sets a standard of excellence. Bronx Pro not only enriches the lives of residents but also strengthens neighborhoods by fostering a sense of pride and community. Their work is a powerful testament to what’s possible when dedication to affordability meets a genuine respect for the people they serve,” said Jason Duchin, Co Executive Director, DreamYard Project. 

Sustainability Features 

Melrose North, which is Passive House Certified, was recognized for its sustainability efforts, winning the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Initiative, Better Project Award in 2024. Additionally, the project earned an Honorable Mention in the High-Rise Multifamily category and Mixed-Use Recognition at the 2023 Phius Passive House Projects Design Competition. Bronx Pro, in collaboration with Curtis + Ginsberg Architects, has a long track record of successful Passive House projects. Curtis + Ginsberg, early adopters in the Passive House movement, have been a critical force in bringing this energy-efficient building standard into the mainstream. The building features electric heat pumps, energy-efficient windows, appliances, and lighting, ensuring low energy usage and long-term sustainability. Constructed on an underutilized space that previously housed a trash compactor for NYCHA, the development includes a new interior garage compactor that allows NYCHA to maintain operations while creating space for over 150 new homes. 

HPD + NYCHA Partnership: 100% Affordable 

This project is on a NYCHA NextGeneration “100% Affordable” site. HPD and NYCHA’s partnership spans decades, working together to ensure New Yorkers always have a place to call home. The project focuses on creating affordable housing units on underused or vacant NYCHA land for low- and moderate-income families. NYCHA and HPD prioritize community involvement in the planning process, ensuring new developments meet local needs and positively contribute to the surrounding neighborhood and NYCHA campus. The building includes a set-aside for NYCHA residents. 

Photos courtesy of Services for the UnderServed