Historic $335 Million Affordable Housing Development in The Bronx Reaches Topping Off Milestone
Historic $335 Million Affordable Housing Development in The Bronx Reaches Topping Off Milestone
Samaritan Daytop Foundation’s Award-Winning, Energy-Efficient Highbridge Affordable and Transitional 422-Unit Development is Created in Partnership with NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, NYC Housing Development Corporation, NYC Department of Homeless Services, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and NYS Energy Research and Development Authority
– Project Remains on Schedule to Open in 2027 Despite Challenging Site Conditions –
– Click here to access the media kit (Credit: Magnusson Architecture & Planning (MAP)) –
(BRONX, NEW YORK) – November 13, 2025 – Samaritan Daytop Foundation, Samaritan Daytop Village, and a coalition of New York City and New York State partners today celebrated the topping off of Highbridge, marking the completion of the building’s superstructure up to the building’s highest point. The ceremony represents a major construction milestone for the $335 million housing development, which will bring 422 affordable, supportive, and transitional housing units to the Bronx and provide residents and community members with outdoor green space, a community center, and robust social services.
Built on a steep hillside between University and Undercliff Avenues, the Highbridge development has progressed on schedule despite complex site conditions—an achievement made possible by the exceptional coordination, planning, and craftsmanship of more than 300 construction workers on site daily. This diverse workforce contributes not only to the physical construction of the building but to the economic vitality of the surrounding community.
“This milestone is a testament to the extraordinary dedication of our partners, construction teams, and community,” said Mitchell Netburn, President and CEO of Samaritan Daytop Foundation and Samaritan Daytop Village. “We are especially grateful to our partners at Mega Contracting for their perseverance, which has enabled this project to remain on schedule. Every worker here today is helping to create more than just a building—they are building opportunity. Their work ensures that nearly one thousand New Yorkers will soon have a beautiful home in a supportive community.”
When completed in 2027, Highbridge will provide 316 affordable and supportive apartments and 106 transitional housing units for families, as well as 30,000 square feet of outdoor and community spaces. Residents will have access to on-site social services provided by Samaritan Daytop Village, including counseling, vocational training, healthcare linkages, and family support.
The project’s innovative Passive House and Enterprise Green Communities–certified design features a high-performance building envelope, electric air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters that convert wastewater into heat, green infrastructure for stormwater management, and an urban farm. The result will be one of the most sustainable and energy-efficient residential developments in the Bronx. Highbridge has already earned awards, including from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Buildings of Excellence Competition.
“Highbridge is a unique project that will ultimately provide both quality affordable and transitional housing to New Yorkers in a building that residents and the community can take great pride in”, said Richard Gerwitz, Originating Banker, Citi Community Capital. “Citi is pleased to have been a part of the team that helped finance the building and offers its congratulations to Samaritan for getting the project to this point and for the great work they do throughout the City.“
“We are excited to celebrate this important milestone with Samaritan Daytop Foundation, Samaritan Daytop Village, and the rest of the development team,” said Kevin Hoffman, President of Richman Housing Resources LLC. “We would also like to thank Magnusson Architecture & Planning and Mega Contracting Group for their creative thinking and hard work, which has been critical to advancing the project given the unique site conditions. Highbridge is a leading example of how innovative public-private financing structures, including Federal tax credit equity, can create well-designed, sustainable, affordable, and supportive housing for those who need it most. Richman is honored to be part of the financing team alongside our partners at the City, State, Citi Community Capital, and The Leviticus Fund.”
“When our nonprofit partners face challenges and uncertainty, we strive to remain flexible, in service to helping them provide opportunities for the vulnerable and voiceless,” said Greg Maher, Executive Director of The Leviticus Fund. “We applaud Samaritan Daytop Foundation and the entire project team for reaching this milestone in their effort to deliver affordable, supportive, and energy-efficient housing for low-income individuals and families.”
“We’re proud to be part of this transformative project with Samaritan Daytop Village and all our partners. The topping off of this 422-unit development marks an important milestone in delivering permanently affordable, supportive, and transitional housing to the Bronx. This project has been an outstanding collaboration with the design team and everyone involved. This energy-efficient, Passive House building is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together to create sustainable, inclusive communities that enhance residents’ quality of life,” said George Poulon, Vice President of Operations at Mega Contracting Group.
Funded through a robust public-private partnership, Highbridge’s financing includes tax-exempt bonds and capital funds from the NYC Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), capital funds from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program and a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Building Of Excellence Award. Private financing for the transitional housing component is backed by a long-term contract between Samaritan Daytop Village and the New York City Department of Homeless Services. Richman Housing Resources is contributing low-income housing tax credit equity, and Citi Community Capital is providing a construction letter of credit, administering the construction financing and securing the transitional housing financing. Predevelopment financing was provided by Deutsche Bank, The Leviticus Fund, and the Down Payment Assistance Fund.
The development team includes Magnusson Architecture & Planning (MAP), Mega Contracting, Ametrine Group, Hirschen Singer & Epstein, Dagher Engineering, GACE Consulting Engineers, terrain-nyc, AKRF, CANY, WALD Studio, Bright Power, ARMA Development, and Steven Winters Associates.
The development is being constructed on a 71,000-square-foot site at the foot of the historic High Bridge, New York’s oldest standing bridge, which opened in 1848. The creative architectural design will offer sweeping 360-degree views including the Manhattan skyline and beautifully curated paths and spaces for recreation and relaxation.
Once completed, the Highbridge development will stand as a model for how sustainable design, integrated social services, and collaborative partnerships can address New York City’s housing and homelessness crises—ensuring that families and individuals have a place to call home and a path to stability.
About Samaritan Daytop Foundation
Samaritan Daytop Foundation was created in 1979 as the fundraising, housing development, and real estate arm of Samaritan Daytop Village, and champions the mission of improving lives by helping people help themselves. The Foundation raises funds to expand Samaritan Daytop Village’s vast array of housing, addiction, mental health, and employment programs.
About Samaritan Daytop Village
For 65 years, Samaritan Daytop Village has been improving the quality of life for New Yorkers facing adversity. We are nationally recognized for our treatment of substance use disorder as well as for the veteran-specific approach we pioneered. Our continuum of services includes health and mental health care, transitional and supportive housing, educational and vocational assistance, peer-assisted recovery, and specialized programs for adolescents, families, and seniors. Annually, Samaritan Daytop Village serves over 43,000 people at more than 80 programs throughout New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley.
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