A New Neighborhood Resource

Affordable — and Beautiful — Building Rises in Harlem

The Children’s Village completed construction of a 10-story building at 2139 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, in the heart of Harlem, in 2017. The building – on the site of a formerly vacant lot – was developed to help fill the need for affordable housing (an initiative of New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio) with a modern design that emphasizes natural light, welcoming community spaces, and terraces with stunning city views. It is proof that a mixed-use building can create community, and can be affordable and beautiful.

The building features 60 apartments for low-income households (including 12 studio apartments for young adults), office space for The Children’s Village and our partner Harlem Dowling, a clinic for foster families, a food pantry, and space for community programming. We worked with developers using innovative back-to-back tax credit financing and completed construction on time and on budget.

Rent for the 35 one-bedroom apartments starts at $850 per month and $1,027 for the two-bedrooms, which includes utilities and access to a beautiful resident-only terrace that’s perfect for entertaining.

A unique aspect of the building is the designation of 12 studio apartments on the top two floors, collectively called Inwood House, for young people aging out of foster care or at risk of homelessness. Housing is the single most difficult barrier for these youth achieving independence. Having access to these beautiful penthouse apartments at an affordable rent is an important first step; nurturing a sense of belonging and community is also a key factor in helping them succeed. Through private funding, The Children’s Village is providing supportive services to the young residents to help them with budgeting, work, and education issues. To be eligible for a studio apartment, residents must be working and able to afford the minimum rent of $167 per month.

Read about what these apartments mean to one of our residents, Miranda Lebron.

The building was designed to foster community engagement and involvement, both between residents and amongst its Harlem neighbors. Community resources include a food pantry, parenting classes and family support, free college-level courses in the humanities, meeting space for local groups and organizations, a computer lab, and educational workshops and trainings.

The building is home to Harlem Dowling programs and offers satellite office space for Children’s Village programs.