Press Releases
L to r: Alan Adelstein, Sherry Adelstein, Mark Olshan, Marty Adelstein, Marvin Siflinger, Rebecca Koepnick, Shirley Fearon, Dan Mariaschin
(Washington, D.C., August 22, 2019)—On Aug. 22, the B’nai B’rith Center for Senior Services held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil new renovations at the Adelstein Family B’nai B’rith H.O.P.E. Project in the Bronx, New York. Among other important modernizations, every affordable housing unit will now have its own air conditioner. Rebecca Koepnick, chief strategy officer for portfolio preservation, New York State Homes and Community Renewal; Daniel S. Mariaschin, CEO, B’nai B’rith International; William Connolly, managing partner, Connolly and Partners, LLC; Marty Adelstein, president, Project HOPE Development Corporation; and Shirley Fearon, staff assistant, Office of Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) spoke at the ceremony.
“In today’s economic climate, the ability to preserve and rehabilitate safe, supportive housing for lower income seniors is paramount in providing for the next generation of residents,” said Mark Olshan, B’nai B’rith International director of the Center for Senior Services. “B’nai B’rith is pleased to have been involved in the transformation of the Adelstein Family B’nai B’rith Apartments in keeping with our longstanding tradition of ‘honoring thy mother and father’!”
Constructed in 1992, the Adelstein Family B’nai B’rith H.O.P.E. Project was initially funded under the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program. It consists of 75 one-bedroom apartments and 25 studio apartments. Individual apartments include new bathrooms with new toilets and bathtubs: new kitchen cabinets, counters and appliances; and all-new lighting and painting throughout. Exterior and common area improvements include new masonry, exterior doors, elevator cabs, windows, plumbing stacks, boilers and pumps. Additionally, state-of-the-art smoke detectors and sprinklers were added, along with upgrades to the building’s electrical system and security cameras.
Additionally, financial resources are now available to provide for a host of specific supportive and social services for the individual residents. Through partnerships with local service provider organizations, for the first time, residents will have access to referrals to community resources, supportive listening and casework services, as well as a host of new classes, workshops events and activities.
Funding for the project came from the sale of tax-exempt bonds issued by the New York State House Finance Agency through the sale of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). This bipartisan program, initiated in 1986, is overseen by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is one of the few programs currently available to provide funds for the construction and preservation of supportive housing for low-income people.
At the ceremony, Mariaschin emphasized B’nai B’rith’s commitment to affordable housing for seniors: “We’re proud that B’nai B’rith’s decades-long tradition of providing safe and affordable housing for seniors continues in the Bronx. Our commitment to ensuring a dignified life for each and every resident, over nearly 50 years, stands behind every one of our projects.”
“In today’s economic climate, the ability to preserve and rehabilitate safe, supportive housing for lower income seniors is paramount in providing for the next generation of residents,” said Mark Olshan, B’nai B’rith International director of the Center for Senior Services. “B’nai B’rith is pleased to have been involved in the transformation of the Adelstein Family B’nai B’rith Apartments in keeping with our longstanding tradition of ‘honoring thy mother and father’!”
Constructed in 1992, the Adelstein Family B’nai B’rith H.O.P.E. Project was initially funded under the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program. It consists of 75 one-bedroom apartments and 25 studio apartments. Individual apartments include new bathrooms with new toilets and bathtubs: new kitchen cabinets, counters and appliances; and all-new lighting and painting throughout. Exterior and common area improvements include new masonry, exterior doors, elevator cabs, windows, plumbing stacks, boilers and pumps. Additionally, state-of-the-art smoke detectors and sprinklers were added, along with upgrades to the building’s electrical system and security cameras.
Additionally, financial resources are now available to provide for a host of specific supportive and social services for the individual residents. Through partnerships with local service provider organizations, for the first time, residents will have access to referrals to community resources, supportive listening and casework services, as well as a host of new classes, workshops events and activities.
Funding for the project came from the sale of tax-exempt bonds issued by the New York State House Finance Agency through the sale of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). This bipartisan program, initiated in 1986, is overseen by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is one of the few programs currently available to provide funds for the construction and preservation of supportive housing for low-income people.
At the ceremony, Mariaschin emphasized B’nai B’rith’s commitment to affordable housing for seniors: “We’re proud that B’nai B’rith’s decades-long tradition of providing safe and affordable housing for seniors continues in the Bronx. Our commitment to ensuring a dignified life for each and every resident, over nearly 50 years, stands behind every one of our projects.”
“We are pleased to renovate this fabulous Bronx development,” said B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman. “In doing so, B’nai B’rith and our partners take great pride in moving the earth once again for affordable and dignified senior living. In a borough known for home runs and championships, Project Hope no doubt will be a grand slam for generations.”
Marvin Siflinger, chair of the B’nai B’rith Center for Senior Services, said that “the redevelopment of Project Hope is an excellent example of a true public/private/non-profit partnership all working together to enhance the quality of life of our cherished senior citizens. With our partners, B’nai B’rith expects to continue to improve the lives of many more lower income seniors.”
Marty Adelstein delivered this statement on behalf of Sherry and Alan Adelstein: “The Adelstein Family is honored and takes great pride in the redevelopment of the Project Hope-Adelstein Family Building in the Bronx. Over 40 years ago our father, Bernie Adelstein, was the founder and pioneer of this wonderful example of perseverance through government bureaucracy to ultimately realize his commitment to establish affordable housing for senior citizens. On behalf of the Adelstein Family, we are grateful to our partners, B’nai B’rith and Connolly and Partners, LLC for their support and commitment to provide and improve quality affordable housing to the Senior Citizens at the Bronx Building.”
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org