Originally constructed in 1918, Geffner House is a converted hotel that Project Renewal purchased from the city in 1996. Today, it is a 305 unit supportive housing building that provides permanent housing for adults with low income, including people with serious and persistent mental illness, individuals who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, and people who are living with HIV/AIDS.
On-site services provided by Project Renewal to Geffner House tenants include occupational therapy, group and individual counseling, substance use disorder treatment, medical treatment, psychiatric care, crisis intervention, job training and placement, and art classes.
New York’s unhoused population is aging rapidly, and Geffner House has an extensive program aimed at supporting older adults to age in place with dignity.
Geffner House at a Glance
New York, NY
Units: 305
Serves: Adults, including older adults (ages 55+)
Program Focus: Homes, Health, Jobs
Offers: City Beet Kitchens Event Catering, HOPE (Helping Older People Engage) Program,
Mental Health Care, Occupational Therapy, Permanent Supportive Housing, Primary Care Nursing
Who is Ed Geffner?
Ed Geffner served as CEO of Project Renewal from 1977 to 2010. It is because of Ed’s leadership that it was possible for Project Renewal to purchase the Holland Hotel from the city. We transformed the space into “Holland House,” its name until 2018, when it was renamed in recognition of Ed’s dedication to Project Renewal.
