Westhab Opens New Family Center in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, Providing 105 Units of Transitional Housing for Vulnerable Families

State-of-the-art facility demonstrates value of purpose-built transitional housing utilizing a housing-first approach to breaking cycle of homelessness

Yonkers, NY – September 18, 2025 – Westhab, Inc., a leading nonprofit housing and human services organization, today announced the opening of the Fort Greene Family Center in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The 11-story, 105-unit facility provides transitional housing for some of New York’s most vulnerable families with children.

The $73 million development, designed by Aufgang Architects and developed in partnership with Slate Property Group, represents a significant investment in addressing New York City’s housing and homelessness crisis through a comprehensive approach that combines stable housing with wraparound services designed to help families obtain permanent housing and achieve long-term independence.

“This beautiful new residence exemplifies our commitment to providing not just shelter, but a thoughtful, service-rich environment where families can rebuild their lives with dignity,” said Richard Nightingale, Chief Executive Officer of Westhab. “When families have a foundation of quality housing, they can focus on the work of building self-sustaining futures: finding employment, enrolling children in school and accessing healthcare. Supporting them through that journey is how we end homelessness.”

The Fort Greene location is built on the site of the former St. Michael-St. Edward Church, which had been abandoned for nearly 15 years. The new development features:

• 105 transitional housing units
• 1,405 square feet of community facility space
• On-site support services and programming
• Children’s playground and recreational facilities
• Energy-efficient, all-electric design meeting Enterprise Green Communities criteria

Addressing Critical Housing Need

The opening comes as New York City continues to grapple with a homeless crisis affecting thousands of families. In the past five years, homelessness has surged to record levels driven by a lack of affordable housing. According to recent data, the majority of homeless people in the city are families, with children representing a significant portion of the city’s homeless population.

“At Slate, we are working to change the way people think about transitional housing, and the Fort Greene Family Center is proof of that,” said David Schwartz, Co-Founder and Principal at Slate Property Group. “These units are indistinguishable from any other brand-new apartment, with access to services, recreation areas, and community space that give the residents who live here a sense of dignity. We believe in building every kind of housing, because New Yorkers need every kind of housing and we’re proud to work with Westhab on such a special project.”

“Every family deserves a stable home as the foundation for success,” said Nightingale. “Research consistently shows that housing-first approaches lead to better outcomes for children’s education, health, and overall well-being, while also being more cost-effective than prolonged shelter stays.”

The Fort Greene facility is part of Westhab’s broader New York City portfolio, where the organization has become a trusted partner in developing innovative, affordable, supportive, and transitional housing solutions. Since its founding in 1981, Westhab has helped place more than 12,000 households in permanent housing throughout Westchester and New York City.

Comprehensive Services Model

The Fort Greene Family Center will provide comprehensive support services, including:

• Case management and home finding services
• Employment counseling and job training programs
• Youth services and educational support
• Healthcare coordination and wellness programming
• Financial literacy and life skills training

“What makes Westhab unique is that we’re not just providing beds, we’re actually trying to get people out of homelessness. And we do that with all the wraparound services,” said Jim Coughlin, Chief Operating Officer of Westhab.

Community Integration

The Fort Greene location was strategically selected for its proximity to transportation, services, and educational opportunities. The project reflects Westhab’s commitment to “advancing fair share” by ensuring transitional housing is distributed equitably across communities rather than concentrated in a few neighborhoods.

The purpose-built shelter model allows a nonprofit like Westhab to custom-design transitional housing to the quality standards of permanent housing, creating an optimal environment for service delivery and achieving its goal of helping families secure permanent housing, employment, and get back on their feet.

The building was designed to operate without fossil fuels, meeting Enterprise Green Communities sustainability criteria. This approach supports New York City’s carbon-reduction goals while keeping the project ahead of Local Law 97 benchmarks.

The building also features a green rooftop, an adjacent public plaza, and a playground designed by Office of Strategy + Design.

About Westhab 

Founded in 1981 and based in Yonkers, NY, Westhab is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to building communities and changing lives through affordable housing development, supportive services and community programs. Westhab operates throughout Westchester County and New York City, providing housing and services to thousands of individuals and families each year. For more information, visit www.westhab.org.

Media Contact

Leah Richardson 

Phone: 914-345-2800 X189

Press@westhab.org