Community members, advocates and elected officials were on hand to celebrate the ribbon-cutting on West 108th Street. Photo: Armando Sanchez
The new senior complex on 108th Street. Photo courtesy of WSFSSH
The West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing last week celebrated new homes for seniors and families at “WSFSSH at West 108,” a supportive housing complex on the Upper West Side. The complex opened during the pandemic and only now is able to be celebrated safely.
WSFSSH at West 108 features 79 units for low-income households and 119 apartments for formerly homeless older adults who are living with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder, or requiring assistance with independent living, a growing population in New York City and across the country. Amid a growing housing crisis in New York City, WSFSSH at West 108 will provide critical housing and supportive services to those most in need.
The housing complex also features a transitional housing component, providing a new home for Valley Lodge Shelter, which has operated on this same block of West 108th Street since 1988. The redeveloped Valley Lodge Shelter provides 110 beds for homeless older adults, and serves as a stepping stone for these residents to find the stable, permanent housing they deserve.
WSFSSH at West 108 features onsite social services for its residents, including case management, service coordination, crisis intervention, counseling, transportation services, money management classes, nutrition services, meals for Valley Lodge residents, and recreational activities.
The new housing complex also features several spaces dedicated to the community, including parking spaces for Central Park Medical Unit ambulances, public restrooms in the adjacent Anibal Aviles Playground, and community meeting spaces, as well as a community health center. The federally-qualified health center will be operated by the Institute for Family Health, offering primary care and specialized services at low or no cost to both residents and the entire Upper West Side community.
Community members, advocates and elected officials were on hand to celebrate the milestone.
“WSFSSH at West 108 is a tremendous victory for the senior population on the Upper West Side, easing the housing burden with safe, beautiful homes for vulnerable members of our community,” said Paul R. Freitag, Executive Director of the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing. “Together, we’ll provide a model for what can be achieved for New York’s older adults.”
Designed by Dattner Architects and constructed by Procida-Butz, WSFSSH at West 108 was built to maximize the feeling of hospitality and warmth for its residents, using warmer colors for its interiors.
“As a former tenant’s rights attorney, I understand the critical importance of investing in affordable, supportive housing resources,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu. “Ensuring our elders have access to affordable housing is just a small thanks for a lifetime of contribution.”