Magnolia Gardens, a seven-story transitional housing facility, has opened at 39-03 College Point Boulevard in Flushing, Queens. Designed by Urban Architectural Initiatives and developed by Urban Resource Institute, the New York City Department of Social Services, and Asian Americans for Equality, the building yields 90 apartment-style units for homeless families with children. The project is described by the development team as the first purpose-built shelter of its kind in Flushing. Archstone Builders led construction for the project, which is located between 39th Avenue and Roosevelt Avenue, just east of Flushing Creek.
Magnolia Gardens. Credit: Archstone Builders LLC.
Magnolia Gardens was designed as a culturally responsive, trauma-informed facility serving one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods. The building will offer multilingual, 24-hour family-centered services, including case management, housing navigation, job readiness training, financial coaching, and therapeutic support aimed at helping residents move into permanent housing. Families will be referred through the city’s intake system, with priority placement for Queens-based families in an effort to maintain school continuity and community ties.
Magnolia Gardens. Credit: Archstone Builders LLC.
Magnolia Gardens is billed as the first transitional shelter in New York City built to Passive House standards, with a highly insulated and airtight envelope, advanced ventilation systems, and efficient heating and cooling intended to reduce energy use while improving indoor air quality. The building also received a $1 million award from NYSERDA’s Buildings of Excellence Competition, underscoring its focus on low-carbon, high-performance design.
The facility is expected to support URI’s People and Animals Living Safely program, allowing designated units for families entering shelter with pets. In addition, Magnolia Gardens is backed by a Housing Services and Retention Collaborative led by AAFE and URI, bringing together local nonprofit groups across Flushing to expand awareness of transitional housing options and improve access to culturally responsive services. Transit nearby the property includes the Flushing–Main Street station, served by the 7 train.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
This was the site of a small building and parking lot. About a decade ago, the ground was cleared, but nothing was built until now. The larger buildings to the right in the first image are appropriately called the Bland Houses (NYCHA).
A most excellent project that needs repeating around the city.
Wonderful to see this. The city needs much much more of these built in every neighborhood!
I agree w/ the above comments, I endured homelessness in NYC on a few occasions w/ little to ZERO help &/or resources. The old Bellevue was insane, (mind you I do construction work too), U get to 27th & 1st Ave, exhausted, depressed, barely alive, & then wait in a dehumanizingly long line where they treat U like a prisoner & U don’t get a bed assignment till 4:00 am sometimes, it was such hell that I often slept outside near the East River in B’klyn & then worked construction in Greenpoint the next morning😫, good to see a little more common sense pragmatism & sustainable design in this shelter bldg as well 👍
I am looking for a onebed room apartment that takes section 8 voucher
Very nice building. interesting in a one bedroom apartment 👍 I have cityfebs for about 11 years if possible I do a transfer