The mission of the PSS/WSF Grandparent Family Apartments is to provide safe and affordable housing and support systems that enable grandparents raising grandchildren to reach their full potential and their grandchildren to gain the emotional and educational tools essential for success. Last year our Grandparents Family Apartments helped 120 youth stay out of foster care. 92% of these young people progressed to the next grade in school.
According to AARP, nationally 4.5 million children are living in grandparent-headed households. In New York City, approximately 84,000 grandparents report they are responsible for their grandchildren living with them.
PSS was a pioneer in supporting grandparents who unexpectedly found themselves caring for their grandchildren. In the early 1990s, PSS began running support groups and providing services to this special population. In 2005, PSS partnered with the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing to open the first residence in the U.S. built specifically for grandparents raising grandchildren.
The fifty-unit apartment building is home to approximately 55 to 60 grandparents and almost 100 grandchildren. The 40 two-bedroom and 10 three-bedroom modern apartments are designed to accommodate the needs of both older adults and children. The building offers 24-hour front desk service, a library, a laundry on each floor, senior and youth community rooms, and green roof garden and relaxation area. Our on-site PSS Kinship Program is professionally staffed by social workers and educators and offers a wide variety of services to both residents and others in need of support.
Rents are subsidized with tenants paying thirty percent of their adjusted income.
The PSS/WSF Grandparent Family Apartments has become the country’s model for kinship housing. It is the only residence of its kind in the entire state of New York. Visitors from across the U.S. and around the world regularly visit in hopes of replicating this nationally recognized, innovative model.
The PSS/WSF Grandparent Family Apartments are funded with the support of: the U.S. Administration on Aging National Family Caregivers Support Programs through the NYC Department for the Aging and the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing.
GFA has been a safe haven for my grandchildren and me. My care consultant has taught me tools to calm myself down to better help my grandchildren. PSS health, wellness training, and weekly support group has help me to cope and feel better about myself. Mrs. Walker has been my angel.
There’s a lot of resources for me to use, like computers, as well as chances to learn about things we’re not learning in school.
I’m a grandfather raising my 11 year old granddaughter. Since I moved into GFA, it has been a good and positive atmosphere for my granddaughter and I. The downstairs social service is a blessing, it’s a place to get help when I need it, my care consultant feels like family, she has always been there with a word of encouragement and support during tough times.
For me, all the stuff I need for homework is right down stairs. We take trips to things like the movies, and it’s a good chance to travel around the city.
The staff here at PSS is wonderful. I’m glad my kids have a place like GFA to come home too when they come from school. The grand-kids build friendships with other grand-kids in the building. We are a family here. GFA provides a place for me to enjoy life with others just like me. Thank you, PSS.
The PSS/WSF Grandparent Family Apartments in the South Bronx is located at 951 Prospect Avenue, Bronx. The building is located on the corner of Prospect Avenue and E. 163rd, just 2 blocks north on Prospect Avenue from the Prospect Avenue stop for the #2 and #5 subway lines. By bus, take the BX17 or BX6 to 163rd Street and Prospect Avenue. You need to notify the front desk attendant you’re here for PSS social services. There is an elevator you can take to the “C” level,” as well as a staircase downstairs. Our social services are on a floor below the main entrance. Walk down the stairs/use the elevator and take a right, then a left at the two blue double doors. The social service office is your first left, where you will be greeted by someone at the front desk area who will sign you in.
