St. Francis Friends of the Poor Celebrates 45 Years with Acquisition of Fourth Permanent Supportive Housing Residence in East Harlem
St. Francis Friends of the Poor (SFFP), a pioneering nonprofit and the original provider of permanent supportive housing (PSH) in New York City, is proud to announce the acquisition of a property at 2162 Third Avenue in East Harlem, marking the beginning of development on the organization’s fourth residential building. The acquisition coincides with SFFP’s 45th anniversary, making this milestone both a celebration of legacy and a bold step into the future.
“This project represents everything St. Francis Friends of the Poor stands for,” said Christina Byrne, MSW, Executive Director. “As we celebrate 45 years of service, we are honoring our roots while responding to today’s housing crisis with the same compassion, creativity, and commitment that defined our earliest work.”
A New Residence Rooted in Proven Impact
The proposed development at 2162 Third Avenue will be a 14-story, 181-unit mixed supportive and affordable housing residence, with approximately 60% supportive housing and 40% affordable housing. The building will include 120 studio apartments, 60 one-bedroom apartments, and one two-bedroom superintendent’s unit, along with approximately 10,000 square feet of community facility space.
The residence will serve chronically homeless single adults and families living with serious mental illness (SMI), alongside affordable units for households earning approximately 60% of Area Median Income.
Residents will benefit from 24/7 security, on-site management and high-touch supportive services, and thoughtfully designed amenities including a lobby lounge, multipurpose community room, open-air courtyard, fitness and wellness center, art studio, rooftop atrium, and space for community engagement.
SFFP looks forward to working closely with Community Board 11 and the East Harlem community throughout the development process to ensure that the building, its services, and the jobs it creates contribute positively to the neighborhood. Drawing on more than 45 years of experience as a trusted and engaged neighbor in Chelsea, SFFP is committed to being a responsive, collaborative, and community-oriented presence in East Harlem.
Looking Ahead
Pending approvals and financing, construction is anticipated to begin in late 2028, with completion expected in late 2030 and full occupancy by 2031.
As St. Francis Friends of the Poor celebrates 45 years of service, the acquisition of 2162 Third Avenue stands as a powerful affirmation of its founding belief: that safe housing, compassionate care, and community connection are essential to human dignity.
Founded in the late 1970s, St. Francis Friends of the Poor is the originator of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless adults living with serious mental illness in New York City, opening three groundbreaking residences in the 1980s. More than four decades later, SFFP is building on that legacy - bringing forward a new generation of permanent supportive housing that reflects both innovation and the enduring values that have helped hundreds of New Yorkers achieve stability, health, and home.
Rooted in the Franciscan tradition, SFFP was founded by friars who responded with compassion and action as thousands of men and women were discharged from state psychiatric hospitals into homelessness and isolation.
Guided by a deep belief in the absolute worth and dignity of every human being, the founding friars committed themselves to walking alongside those most often ignored -offering not only housing, but community, care, and respect. As reflected in their founding testament, this work was never about doing everything, but about doing something meaningful, and doing it well - a philosophy that continues to shape SFFP’s mission and approach today.
Leadership, Vision, and Longstanding Support
SFFP extends deep gratitude to its Board of Directors, whose enthusiastic support made this milestone possible, and to the Board Housing Committee for their leadership in advancing the organization’s mission.
In particular, SFFP recognizes Board Chair Mark D. Lebow for his decades-long encouragement, vision, and steadfast belief in the need for a fourth residence.
“For decades, I have believed deeply that New York City needs more of what St. Francis Friends of the Poor does so well,” said Mark D. Lebow, Chair of the Board. “My commitment to this organization is rooted not only in the proven impact of permanent supportive housing, but in my deep love, admiration, and friendship with the Franciscan friars who founded this work. Their unwavering devotion to the most vulnerable among us -and their belief in the absolute dignity of every human being - has guided SFFP from the very beginning. This fourth residence is both a continuation of their extraordinary legacy and a vital investment in the future of our city.”
Gratitude to an Exceptional Team
St. Francis Friends of the Poor extends its deepest thanks to its Development Consultant, Katie Devine, whose leadership, vision, and persistence were instrumental in making this acquisition possible. From the earliest stages, Ms. Devine led the effort with extraordinary care and expertise, guiding the process and helping to assemble a strong, mission-aligned development team. SFFP is also grateful to her colleague, Rebekah Taft, whose attention to detail and follow-through were critical in moving this project forward.
SFFP also thanks Denham Wolf, and in particular Gene Goldstein-Plesser and Christopher Turner, for their strategic counsel throughout the acquisition process, including identifying appropriate sites, structuring the transaction, and negotiating critical points. Additional appreciation is extended to Christine Coletta of Hirschen Singer Epstein, along with colleagues Lauren Sellman and Leah Berman-Gestring, for their legal leadership; Kimberly Murphy, Principal at ESKW Architects, for architectural vision; and SFFP’s joint-venture co-development partners and general contractor, Bronx Pro Group, including Samantha Magistro and Justin Stein, whom SFFP is proud to welcome into this collaboration.
Finally, SFFP acknowledges the dedication of its staff, advisors, supporters, and community partners, whose commitment makes it possible to expand the organization’s impact and bring high-quality supportive housing to more New Yorkers in need.