This summer we took a significant step forward to advance our strategic goal to grow from 1,400 to 4,000 units of housing, ultimately providing homes for 8,000 individuals and families with children.

Community Access is the lead nonprofit developer of a team creating the largest-ever new construction of supportive and affordable housing in Manhattan at a property purchased from the Archdiocese of New York.

Community Access’ first housing venture in 1974 was the result of our founding board members pooling together $800 to rent three apartments on Avenue C in the East Village. It is gratifying to reflect on our trajectory over the past 50 years and to be able to develop housing at this scale today.

Slated to break ground in 2026, the development will provide over 500 beautiful and affordable apartments in the East Village for individuals living with mental health concerns, families with children who have experienced homelessness, veterans, and seniors. We are excited to be part of a talented and diverse development team, which includes Spatial Equity, Cooper Square Committee, and Duvernay + Brooks.

The ongoing housing affordability crisis in our city demands action—homelessness has reached the highest levels since the Great Depression and the citywide apartment rental vacancy rate is at a multi-decade low of 1.4 percent. We are proud to be part of the solution.

This growth would not be possible without the people at the heart of Community Access—staff members, tenants, program participants, members of our Board, and our generous supporters.