RELEASE: The Doe Fund Acquires 510 Gates Avenue in Brooklyn
The new property will allow 200 additional homeless men to begin their journey toward self-sufficiency through the organization’s award-winning Ready Willing & Able program.
New York, NY— The Doe Fund announced that it recently acquired 510 Gates Avenue in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood in Brooklyn. The site is adjacent to 520 Gates Avenue, the organization’s first homeless transitional residence originally developed in 1990.
Plans include the demolition of the existing building at 510 Gates Avenue into a new 200-bed residence. Upon completion, the current group of 60 tenants at 520 Gates Avenue will be moved to the new development so that a planned second phase of extensive renovations can be undertaken there. Urban Architectural Initiatives has been engaged to design the new building with plans and specs ready for bid by the end of the year.
Residents for these new buildings will be formerly homeless men that have been referred by the NYC Department of Homeless Services (“DHS”) transitional housing program. As is the case at each of The Doe Fund’s transitional facilities, the tenants at 510 Gates Ave will have the opportunity to participate in their award-winning Ready, Willing & Able reentry program.
Financing for the projects will come from both public and private sources including DHS and Key Banks’s Community Development Group. Key Bank provided a $13.4 mm acquisition loan that includes funds for pre-development expenses.
Developing supportive and affordable housing reinforces The Doe Fund’s commitment to providing a continuum of care—not just for the men of Ready, Willing & Able, but for all New Yorkers. The Doe Fund provides veterans, low-income individuals and families, and people struggling with substance abuse issues, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and physical disabilities access to state-of-the-art, safe housing with on-site social services.
The transitional housing program began at 520 Gates Ave in 1990 with 70 beds. Since that time, it has expanded to a 200-bed residence in Harlem and a 400-bed residence in East Williamsburg. Today, the program also includes a non-residential version of its services for individuals experiencing long-term unemployment and those returning home after periods of incarceration.
The redevelopment of 510-520 Gates Avenue complements The Doe Fund’s mission to uplift the quality of life for its residents as well as the communities where it works. The expansion of the Ready, Willing & Able program by 200 beds will enable these homeless men to experience greater economic opportunity.
The Doe Fund’s long history of serving the Bedford-Stuyvesant community has earned the recognition and support of officials from the area, including Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Council Member Robert Cornegy, both of whom secured discretionary funding for the renovations at 520 Gates Ave., and Community Board 3 (CB 3) manager Henry Butler and Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright.
Ready, Willing & Able Co-Founders George and Harriet McDonald said, “Nothing could give us greater joy than to undertake a project to expand our original Gates Avenue facility where, in 1990, we proved to the world that when given the opportunity to work, homeless people would seize it and succeed. To now be able to extend that same opportunity—in the same location—to 200 more men at a time when our city needs it most, is very rewarding. We have deep and long-standing roots in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community and our expanded presence there will continue to uplift the neighborhood. We want to express our profound gratitude to Borough President Adams, Councilmember Robert Cornegy and Community Board 3.”
Sam Adams, Director of Public Finance at KeyBank Capital Markets, said, “Key was pleased to provide the financing necessary to begin the revitalization of the 510 Gates Avenue project. Partnering with the Doe Fund, we determined the most financially effective solution in this challenging time and worked to close the loan quickly. The Doe Fund’s mission to serve the homeless and otherwise housing disadvantaged population aligns well with Key’s goal to provide financial support to a full and diverse range of clients. ”
“I’m so pleased to see that the next steps in the 520 Gates Avenue transitional facility project have come through, with the Doe Fund’s acquisition of the adjacent 510 Gates Avenue property, allowing temporary relocation during the renovation and reimagination of the current space,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “Not only will this be able to house those at 520 during the work, but this facility will ultimately add 200 beds to this incredible Ready, Willing & Able program that focuses on paid work, complemented by holistic social services, career training, education and sobriety support. During these difficult times, these services are even more crucial.”
Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. commented, “This milestone marks a victory for present and future transitional housing residents, the Doe Fund, and the entire Bed-Stuy community. Building on a thirty-year track record of success, I look forward to the Doe Fund continuing to serve as a beacon of excellence for providing wrap around services and assisting those who faced homelessness. When we invest in opportunity for our family, friends, and neighbors, we secure the future for our shared communities – that is the meaning of this 510 Gates Avenue milestone.”
Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright said, “For 30 years, The Doe Fund has provided high quality services to formerly homeless residents in their 520 Gates Avenue transitional shelter, including the opportunity to participate in their nationally-recognized Ready, Willing & Able vocational training program. Their acquisition of 510 Gates Avenue is an exciting development for the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood and my entire district, enabling them to serve more homeless New Yorkers and help more men gain the tools they need to achieve sustainable self-sufficiency.”
