Housing project's grand opening.

Casa Renacer, a newly constructed supportive housing project providing safe, affordable permanent housing for 60 formerly homeless men and women today celebrated its official grand opening last month.

Located at 158 East 122nd Street, Casa Renacer ("reborn" in Spanish) combines affordable housing with on-site social services including substance abuse counseling, job training and mental and physical health care.

Congressman Charles Rangel, Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, Councilman Phil Reed, Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV and a host of community leaders and service providers welcomed Casa Renacer into the community.

Built by Weston United Community Renewal, a non-profit serving the Harlem community since 1985, Casa Renacer is the agency's first permanent housing program.

Casa Renacer was funded by NYC Housing Preservation and Development's Division of Special Needs Housing. The Federal Home Loan Bank also contributed capital funds through Carver Federal Savings Bank.

The building was designed by Richard Dattner and Partners, PC and was built by BFC Construction, headquartered in East Harlem.

Operating subsidies and social supports are financed through HUD's Shelter+Care program, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the NYC Department of Homeless Services.

Weston United began in 1985 as a grassroots response to the needs of the mentally iii and homeless by Harlem residents who were leaders at St. Philip's Church and Harlem Hospital.