Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples Development Corporation (CCPOP), the housing developer of Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens, announced that the application process for the newly constructed Our Lady of Loreto Family Apartments is now closed.

In May, 2012, after much anticipation by families in need of low-income-housing in Brownsville, Catholic Charities opened the application process to fill 45 newly constructed, one- and two-bedroom apartments, located at 2356 Atlantic Ave.  To date, an overwhelming 5,000 applications were received.

“These numbers show how dire the need for an affordable home is in New York City,” said Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, Vicar for Human Services, Diocese of Brooklyn. “Unfortunately, the need for affordable housing far exceeds our resources. Catholic Charities cannot fulfill the demand at the capacity we’d like to.”

CCPOP formally began the development of the site of Our Lady of Loreto Church, Brownsville, in February, 2011. Co-developed and designed by the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), the construction will result in high-quality housing with large, bright apartments.

Our Lady of Loreto Family Apartments is designated for families with incomes up to 60% of area median income, with preference given to residents in Community Board 16.  All applications not fulfilled will be placed on a waiting-list for future placement at this development.

“A safe, affordable home is essential to providing stability to the most vulnerable in our society. For low-income older adults, families and the formerly homeless in New York City, we are able to offer a fresh new start and hope for the future,” said Robert Siebel, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities and related agencies.

“Providing and preserving affordable housing is one of the cornerstones of our mission. The need for affordable housing in New York City is overwhelming; we must continue to do whatever we can do to provide for those in need.”

In the past five years, CCPOP has taken on new partnerships and projects with the goal of preserving the over 3,500 units of affordable housing it currently owns, as well as acquiring new properties, so that these homes are available and remain current for future generations of New Yorkers. In December, 2011, CCPOP closed on $31 million in financing to develop Howard Beach Senior Apartments, which will offer 96 units of affordable housing to seniors and persons with developmental disabilities.

Refinancing was also secured to preserve the Pierrepont House in Brooklyn Heights as affordable housing with 188 apartments for the frail elderly. In 2010, CCPOP partnered with CPC to complete the preservation of Riverdale Osborne Towers, a housing complex located in Brownsville, which underwent a $39 million rehabilitation designed to preserve this affordable housing for the foreseeable future.

In 2007, CCPOP completed the full $87 million rehabilitation of 10 affordable senior housing buildings located in Brooklyn and Queens, ensuring affordable homes for seniors for years to come.

The first tenants of the Our Lady of Loreto Family Housing are expected to move in by the end of 2012.