2 group homes underway by Brooklyn organization

Real Estate Weekly, Feb 24, 1993

Responding to a growing need among the mentally disadvantaged and multiple-handicapped population, the Brooklyn School for Special Children, is building two new group homes in Southwest Brooklyn at a cost of some $2 million, it was announced by Rabbi Morris J. Block, executive director.

BSSC is a 30-year old, non-profit, non-sectarian Brooklyn agency providing a range of services for 840 "special" children, teenagers and adults.

One of the homes, at 55 27th Avenue is two-stories, and the other, at 506 Bay 44th Street, is a one-story building. Each will contain 16 rooms, including a kitchen, and each will house 12 of BSSC's participants. The residents will have various disabilities yet they urgently need the opportunity to live independently, Rabbi Block noted. Financing for the homes is being provided by a bank mortgage and state funding.

The buildings incorporate special designs and equipment to help even non-ambulatory residents be as selfsufficient as possible. For example, special accommodations include ramps in lieu of stairs, hand railings along walls, sinks and food counters built at heights convenient for the residents, and wail mirrors that may be viewed by residents in wheelchairs. BSSC will operate the homes, which will be professionally staffed and supervised 24 hours a day.

The two buildings were designed by Nicholas Voulgaris, architect, and he and his engineering staff are providing construction oversight.

The group homes are expected to be completed in mid-1993. They will augment the three existing group homes and five apartments that BSSC operates and which also provide special support for their disadvantaged occupants.