The Greenburger Center for Social and Criminal Justice has secured a $13 million funding deal for constructing Hope House in the Bronx’s Crotona neighborhood, pioneering an Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) model for individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) accused of felony-level crimes. This initiative culminates a decade-long effort.
The funding for Hope House is made up of private donations, New Markets Tax Credit Program proceeds, a $5.6 million grant from New York State, and contributions from the NYC Council and NYS legislature.
Demolition is underway on the site on which Hope House will be constructed, with a groundbreaking ceremony slated for November 14, 2023, at Crotona Park, adjacent to the facility location at 849 Crotona Park North. Upon completion, the project will offer a long-term residential program for 16 individuals, with preference given to veterans and Bronx residents at the time of their arrest, extending its reach to individuals aged 18 and above from all five NYC boroughs.
“America must find a better default option than prison for people living with behavioral health issues or mental illness who become involved with the criminal justice system, where more than half of the incarcerated population has mental illness and an estimated 20 percent have serious mental illness,” said Francis Greenburger, founder and president of the Greenburger Center. “Hope House is a critical step toward America reforming its treatment of people living with these brain disorders.”
In collaboration with Argus Community Inc., Hope House will feature a Continuing Day Treatment Program (CDTP), leveraging Argus’ extensive experience in administering treatment programs.
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So in other words, the ideal neighbor?