The Bridge is moving on up with green mental health housing upgrades to be completed by December 31st of 2010. Through innovative re-financing secured through Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), Bridge was able to secure $5 million of capital necessary to upgrade residence buildings that were opened between 1983 and 1992. This undertaking is called the 202 Revitalization Project and involves the renovations, upgrades and energy-efficient/green additions to 5 Housing and Urban Development (HUD 202) mortgaged properties that Bridge bundled together under this one project. 

The project has immeasurably enhanced the quality of life for the 76 tenants who are mentally ill, formerly homeless and aging. The green housing upgrades include new energy star windows, elevator and fire alarm upgrades, new kitchens and some bathrooms, new low flow toilets and shower heads, mailboxes, energy star appliances, new energy efficient lighting in the apartments, stairwells and all common areas, weatherproofing and some re-pointing as needed, insulation and white roofs, painting (using low VOC paint and adhesives), and handicap accessible hardware for all entry doors.  

Energy audits were conducted by EME Group and each green mental health housing building qualifies for NYSERDA incentives by reaching 20% reduction in energy costs. This was a difficult project in that the tenants remained in place. Every level of the agency staff including administrators, finance, housing directors, area directors, managers and line staff as well as facilities and maintenance staff worked together to accomplish the project which will be completed by December 31, 2010 in order to meet the LIHTC requirements and secure the tax credits. 

Richman Housing Resources is the syndicator; Nixon Peabody LLP is the counsel; DeLaCour & Ferrara Architects P.C. is the architectural design firm; P&P Contracting Corporation is the general contractor; and Aaron Lewit is the owner's representative.