171 New 100% Affordable Homes Arrive in the South Bronx

HPD, NYCHA, and Partners Celebrate New Deeply Affordable Housing at Melrose North, Bringing 171 Homes, Stability, and Support to Vulnerable New Yorkers Amid the Housing Crisis 

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 in the South Bronx, at NYCHA’s Morrisania Air Rights campus. The apartments were officially opened in a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony led by the City’s housing agencies, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), along with partners Services for the Underserved (S:US), Bronx Pro Group, and elected officials, today celebrated the opening of 171 affordable homes in the South Bronx, known as “Melrose North.”  

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%, 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% 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 units 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. 

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 which 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. 

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 RFP 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. 

Permanent financing for the $91 million project includes $12 million in city capital, $24 million in Housing Development Corporation (HDC) exempt bonds, and $10 million in HDC corporate reserves.