Carri�n Joins Ground Breaking For Manhattan Special Needs Housing

Carrión Joins Ground Breaking for Manhattan Special Needs Housing

Regional Administrator Adolfo Carrión recently joined Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, City Council Member Rosie Mendez, NYC HDC President Marc Jahr, and FEGS' senior representatives to celebrate the renovation of Tanya Towers, a 138-unit, low-income Manhattan development that houses the deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, seniors, and people with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities. The complex was originally insured by HUD.

"I am delighted to be a partner in ensuring that this community has decent and safe housing for those most vulnerable in our society," said Carrión. "I applaud FEGS, the Manhattan Borough President, the City Council, HPD and HDC for their unrelenting commitment and long-term investment in the preservation of quality affordable housing."

The $4.4 million renovation was made possible through a $1 million capital grant from the New York City Council sponsored by Council Member Mendez and a $500,000 grant from the Office of Manhattan Borough President Stringer. An additional $2.9 million was made available through financing arranged through the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC). The renovation will include elevator modernization, boiler replacement, windows, concrete work and unit upgrades. Improvements will also include facility modifications to address the special needs of the deaf and those with other disabilities, upgrades of the gardens and community spaces, as well as taking the necessary steps to "green" the building and achieve LEED certification.

F.E.G.S CEO Gail Magaliff said, "This building holds a special place in the history of services to the deaf and hard of hearing, and is home to a diverse population of residents with special needs. The renovation will enhance and sustain a positive living environment that will meet the needs of its residents for years to come."

The history of Tanya Towers began more than a century ago when the Hebrew Association of the Deaf (HAD) was formed in 1909. HAD fostered the need for a community where individuals who were deaf could "cope with the demands of industry, and develop the habits of self-appreciation and assuredness." HAD, with funding from the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, now UJA-Federation of New York, established the New York Society for the Deaf (NYSD). Tanya Towers, named after Tanya Nash, who served as the Executive Director of NYSD for more than 35 years, opened its doors in 1973 in honor and recognition of her long and caring service to the deaf and hard of hearing community. In 2006, NYSD merged into F.E.G.S, which assumed responsibilities for all of its programs, including Tanya Towers.

F.E.G.S Executive Vice President Ira Machowsky said, "This project is an excellent example of the partnership between NYC government and a not-for-profit organization and how their collaborative efforts have helped to create high quality affordable housing for persons with disabilities and low income seniors."

Content Archived: December 2, 2013