Barrier Free Living (BFL) along with Urban Builders Collaborative and Lettire Construction held a ribbon cutting event for Freedom Village Supportive Housing program on June 11, 2026.

Located at the intersections of where two city grids collide, that of the East Village and the Lower East Side, the new 65,000 square foot project features a twelve story twisting façade. Freedom Village features 74 accessible apartments and supportive services including supportive counseling, case management, occupational therapy, groups for both adults and families, and community events.

The $54 million project on New York City’s iconic Lower East Side offers the next step in BFL’s 45 year journey of creating ground breaking housing and support for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. Freedom Village also offers housing to seniors (55+) who are medically fragile.

BFL extends thanks to artist agent and independent curator @sarahignite Sara Highnite * and professional art hanger Kevin Kennedy for their generous help in framing, arranging and hanging an exhibition of art and photography from BFL’s archives at our new Freedom Village supportive housing.

Eight vibrant marker-on-paper works by visual artist, author and consultant Michael C.I. Nwogugu are displayed alongside intimate photos of former residents (seen above) and employees of BFL’s former transitional housing program by the late photographer Raymond Ross (1925-2006). Ross was well-known for his photographic portraits of famous jazz and R&B musicians. The exhibit adorns the first floor elevator bank out BFL’s new apartment complex, Freedom Village. #art #makeadifference #community #les #1980

*Highnite works with artist Alicia Eggert whose neon art was recently installed at Freedom Village. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Scott Hess Info@bflnyc.org

BARRIER FREE LIVING OPENS FULLY ACCESSIBLE STATE OF THE ART FREEDOM VILLAGE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM 

New York, NY  – Barrier Free Living (BFL) along with Urban Builders Collaborative and Lettire Construction will hold a ribbon cutting event for Freedom Village Supportive Housing program on June 11, 2026 from 11AM-1PM at 270 E. 2nd St. NYC. Located at the intersections of where two city grids collide, that of the East Village and the Lower East Side, the new 65,000 square foot project features a twelve story twisting façade. Freedom Village features 74 accessible apartments and supportive services including supportive counseling, case management, occupational therapy, groups for both adults and families, and community events. 

The $54 million project on New York City’s iconic Lower East Side offers the next step in BFL’s 45 year journey of creating ground-breaking housing and support for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. Freedom Village also offers housing to seniors (55+) who are medically fragile. 

“BFL is proud to provide fully accessible housing for New York City’s most vulnerable communities at a time when housing is a critical issue for our city,” says Cynthia Amodeo, CEO of Barrier Free Living. “Freedom Village is unique in that it creates a permanent housing environment that is welcoming to people of all abilities. Every apartment and community space was designed to be fully accessible. Our partners throughout this project have shared our commitment to creating a beautiful, inclusive housing community that goes beyond standard accessibility requirements.”

The project was made possible through significant New York State capital investment and support through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI), and it represents a meaningful expansion of accessible, supportive housing for some of New York’s most vulnerable residents. 

Nick Lettire, President of Lettire Construction Corp.: “For over 20 years, Lettire Construction has proudly supported the mission of Barrier Free Living, beginning with Freedom House, where we built an innovative, award-winning shelter facility. The work Barrier Free Living does every day is critical to New Yorkers across the city, and we’re honored to continue supporting their mission for the next two decades.”

Matthew Gross, Partner and Managing Director at Urban Builders Collaborative, LLC:  “Freedom Village honors the history of the site as the city’s first transitional housing shelter, as New York City’s first fully supportive ADA-accessible housing building. Barrier Free’s approach to supportive housing through trauma informed design and services reflects their deep understanding of homelessness caused by domestic violence. We’re proud to partner with Barrier Free Living and grateful to the many city and state agencies whose support helped make this project possible for the community.”

James E. LaPosta Jr., FAIA, LEED AP, Chief Architectural Officer at JCJ Architecture. “The Freedom Village project is the result of a deep and respectful collaboration between client and designer — one in which all parties brought ideas, energy, and commitment to the table while challenging each other to think carefully about the needs of future residents and the character of the neighborhood. From the exterior expression, where the client embraced an architectural concept defined by a layered composition of cantilevered planes, to interior environments shaped around universal accessibility and trauma-informed principles, this project demonstrates what is possible when design is approached with shared purpose and commitment. We are proud to have contributed to a building that challenges assumptions about supportive housing and adds positively to the fabric of the Lower East Side.”

HPD Commissioner, Dina Levy: “The East Village has long served as Manhattan’s cultural and artistic heart, a neighborhood with a distinct identity that New Yorkers know and love. Freedom Village expands access to this vibrant community for residents who often face barriers to finding affordable housing. Fully accessible, the development provides dedicated support for survivors of domestic violence, people with disabilities, and older adults, and its 74 apartments offer safe, dignified homes where residents can live independently and build stable futures,” 

This project was made possible by NYS HCR, NYS HTFC, NYS OTDA, NYS HHAC, DASNY, NYC HPD, Merchants Bank, Raymond James, Borough President’s Office, City Council Member’s Office, Barrier Free Living, Urban Builders Collaborative, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Howden Private Capital LLC, M&T Bank, Flagstar Bank.

Featured speakers at the event include: RuthAnne Visnauskas – Commissioner / CEO, NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), Alvin Bragg – Manhattan District Attorney, Robert Rodriguez – President & Chief Executive Officer, Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), Elizabeth Bliss – Deputy Executive Director of Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Programming, NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV), Dana Greenberg – Director for the Bureau of Housing and Support Services (BHSS), NYS Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance (OTDA),Saloni Sethi – Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV), Nisha Agarwal – Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), and Sarah Leitson – Assistant Commissioner, Division of Special Needs Housing, NYC Dept of Housing Preservation &  Development (HPD).

Download the Press Release PDF

Her Majesty the Queen hosted an afternoon of celebration at the New York Public Library (NYPL) to champion the UK and USA’s literary links.

BFL CEO Cynthia Amodeo (above, third from left) was honored to be part of the event, joining other Leaders in Domestic Violence and Reading Organizations

“There are moments in my career that truly stand out — and meeting Her Majesty Queen Camilla was one of them,” says Cynthia. “I had the honor of joining fellow domestic violence colleagues for a meaningful gathering with researchers and staff from The Queens Reading Room, where we explored the powerful neurological and mental health benefits of reading. The conversation reinforced how critical access to literacy is in healing, empowerment, and building community. The day continued with an engaging fireside chat hosted by Jenna Bush Hager, featuring acclaimed authors Harlan Coben and Min Jin Lee. We then had the extraordinary opportunity to meet Queen Camilla. In our brief conversation, she described our work as “courageous” — a moment I will not forget.”

The NYC Human Resources Administration has shared a look at the CommuniCard, a visual tool designed to support communication with shelter residents who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or who do not speak English.

They state: This tool does not replace any form of interpretation. It is meant to help shelter residents communicate about basic needs quickly. Currently in a pilot phase at intake locations, it will soon be available across all shelters overseen by DSS/HRA/DHS. They are testing the card and receiving feedback.

View the CommuniCard here.

A trio of resourceful volunteers spent a day organizing and sprucing up the clothing pantry at Barrier Free Living’s (BFL) Freedom House this winter.

The pantry, a repurposed storage area, is a great resource for clothing and essentials for residents at the domestic violence shelter.

“We are so grateful for the many volunteers we work with through the years. They provide support and services working on projects that support the programs and the people we serve,” says Scott Hess, Director of Communications & Development.

Learn how you can make a difference at BFL.