Brooklyn Development to House and Help People with Mental Illness

By Dees Stribling, Contributing Editor

New York—Tilden Gardens, a six-story supportive housing development featuring 60 studio apartments in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn, has been completed. Work began on the property in 2012 by The Bridge, a nonprofit that specializes in residential properties for the homeless, people suffering with serious mental illness, and those with substance abuse disorders.

Of the total units at Tilden Gardens, 45 are available for formerly homeless adults with mental health conditions and adults ready to leave psychiatric hospitals, while 15 will be for young adults between 18 and 24 years old who are aging out of the children’s mental health system or foster care. All of the units are for residents at 60 percent of the area median income.

Supportive services are available both onsite and offsite to help residents learn skills and adjust to independent living. Programs include an urban farm where residents can volunteer; classes to teach residents how to cook and assist in nightly meal preparation; and job and vocational training for young adults to prepare them to enter the job market or to continue their education. Additional supportive services include one-on-one daily living skills, medication monitoring, health services and benefits assistance.

The new-construction elevator building also includes a medical clinic and community room with a kitchen and evening meal on the first floor, as well as a 24/7 front desk and a laundry room. Additional amenities include a computer lab and library, a small lounge area on each floor and a backyard area for recreational activities like basketball.

The development was built according to Enterprise Green Communities criteria, the national standard for green building in affordable housing. Green features include Energy Star-rated appliances, efficiency boilers, low-flow fixtures and faucets in the bathroom, a green roof, LED lighting and energy-efficient lighting and sensors throughout the building.

Also participating in the development were NYS Homes and Community Renewal, NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH), NYC Department of Homeless Services, Enterprise Community Partners Inc. and TD Bank. Tilden Gardens received a $13.8 million loan from OMH, which was taken out by construction bonds through Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. Enterprise syndicated $7.3 million in low income housing tax credits from New York State Housing Finance Agency and TD Bank provided the tax credit equity. Tilden Gardens also received an $86,000 The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority grant, with service funds and rent subsidies are provided by OMH.