Community Access, Mega Group and Community Healthcare Network marked the groundbreaking of 521 East Tremont Avenue in the East Tremont/Crotona neighborhood of the Bronx. The $162 million development will deliver 213 units combining affordable and supportive housing, ground-floor retail, and an expanded, on-site health center operated by Community Healthcare Network.
The project pairs housing with care: CHN's Tremont Health Center will triple in size, adding 12 exam rooms and three dental suites in new clinical space. CHN will continue to provide services during construction from its temporary location at 1880 Bathgate Avenue. Community Access will provide on-site supportive services including counseling, group programming, crisis intervention, and connections to community-based health and mental health care, plus additional supports for education, employment and long-term well-being.
The building design includes shared amenities intended to foster community and wellness: a community room, fitness center, computer and library space, laundry facilities and bike storage. Ground-floor retail is expected to contribute to neighborhood vitality.
Direct statements from project partners were included at the ceremony. "Community Access is proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of 521 East Tremont Avenue. We're excited to work with our co-developers, Mega Group and Community Healthcare Network to bring 213 new affordable and supported homes to this neighborhood," said Cal Hedigan, CEO of Community Access. "We are particularly excited to have a state-of- art health center as part of the development – this will be a boon to residents and to the neighborhood in general. At Community Access, we believe housing is a human right. Access to a stable, affordable home creates the conditions for people to pursue their goals, strengthen community connections, and move forward with dignity. This development represents an important step toward a more just and inclusive New York City."
"We are grateful for our partners at HPD, Richman Housing Capital, TD Bank and KeyBank for making this vision a reality. Our team worked closely with the Community Board, Borough President and Council Member Feliz on this project, and we are eager to welcome residents into their new homes and bring back CHN bigger and better than ever," said Emanuel Kokinakis, Principal, Mega Group Development.
"Stable housing is the foundation of health. At 521 East Tremont Avenue, we're enabling hundreds of individuals and families to finally live in safe, affordable homes of their own. By pairing new housing with mental health services, we can provide care and stability to residents who have struggled for too long. This project is a model of delivering healthcare alongside housing, and we're committed to bringing this model to more neighborhoods across our city," said Patrick Love, Deputy Commissioner of Development, Housing Preservation and Development.
"The groundbreaking at 521 East Tremont Avenue marks an important step toward providing access to safe, stable housing and the support services every Bronx resident deserves," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "Bringing together affordable and supportive housing with expanded healthcare services reflects the kind of holistic, community-centered investment our borough needs. Thank you to Community Access, Mega Group, Community Healthcare Network, and our city and state partners for continuing to invest in the Bronx and the well-being of our residents."
"I was proud to join Community Access, Mega Group, and Community Healthcare Network to break ground on a $162 million development right here in the Bronx. This project will create 213 units of affordable and supportive housing while expanding access to critical healthcare services. It's a powerful example of what we can achieve when we come together to invest in our communities and ensure every family has the opportunity to live with dignity," said Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia.
"In the midst of the current housing crisis, I am beyond proud of the work that has been done to bring more affordable housing units to our community. Our families deserve access to stability and a place to thrive, and this groundbreaking represents the continuous investments made to make that a reality. I look forward to continuing to work in the development of this project, which will also bring a Healthcare facility and community space, for the people of the Bronx, and most importantly, for the residents of East Tremont," said Council Member Oswald Feliz.
"Today marks more than the start of construction: we are advancing a vision grounded in dignity, hope, and renewed opportunity for our families in great need of access to affordable housing. With the creation of 213 units of affordable and supportive housing, alongside the expansion of essential on-site health services, we send the clear message that housing is a human right, not a privilege. I was proud to award Community Healthcare Network with $500,000 for this project, which reaffirms my commitment to healthcare and affordable housing. This project shows what is possible when we center people, strengthen partnerships, and work toward a Bronx that is more just, more inclusive, and more sustainable for generations to come," said Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda.
For multifamily operators and leaders, 521 East Tremont Avenue illustrates an integrated approach to housing development that aligns physical assets with supportive services and community health infrastructure. The project offers a working example of how collaboration among nonprofit developers, healthcare providers, financing partners and public agencies can produce housing that addresses both shelter and care needs. Multifamily Leadership will continue to follow this development and surface insights on delivery models that connect affordable housing with on-site services and neighborhood-serving amenities.
