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.”

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. 

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. 

Freedom Village is a fully accessible supportive housing program for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities and seniors. It features 74 beautiful, safe, and accessible apartments where residents can rebuild their lives with dignity and independence. Supportive services include counseling, groups, and community events.

Photos: Garrett Rowland

Photos by @lookatthismedia.hq

Thank You To Our Gala Sponsors

GOLD LEVEL

SILVER LEVEL

BRONZE LEVEL

Photo: Commissioner Christina Curry (center) of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) at BFL’s Freedom Village with Cynthia (at right). 

Barrier Free Living CEO Cynthia Amodeo shares the agency’s year in review. 

As we close out 2025, Barrier Free Living reflects with pride on a year of extraordinary growth and resilience.

Against a backdrop of rising housing costs and increased demand for services, our teams responded with innovation, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Each program—Freedom House, BFL Apartments, Secret Garden, and Freedom Village—demonstrated exceptional commitment to survivors of domestic violence and people with disabilities. Together, we strengthened safety, expanded services, and continued building communities of healing and hope.

Freedom House

Freedom House celebrated a year of major accomplishments, all rooted in our commitment to providing safety, stability, and opportunity for survivors and their families.

Solar panels were successfully installed, a milestone that will reduce electricity costs and allow us to reinvest those savings directly into resident services. Our case management team placed residents into permanent housing at a higher rate than in previous years, reflecting their dedication and the strength of partnerships across the city. The clinical team worked diligently to ensure every resident remained safe throughout their stay at the shelter.

Despite the challenges of an aging building, our maintenance team kept the facility operating smoothly, swiftly preparing units for new households seeking safety. During an unexpected audit, Freedom House received excellent feedback, with auditors noting that we were “audit ready”—a testament to the team’s exceptional daily work and organizational excellence.

Freedom House by the Numbers (CY 2025, excluding December):

– 418 total clients received shelter services

– 260 children and youth under 18 (62%)

– 7.42% of residents identified as LGBTQIA+

– 97.13% of residents identified as BIPOC

These numbers reflect our deep commitment to serving the most marginalized survivors in our community. Freedom House continues to be a place of refuge, healing, and new beginnings for hundreds of survivors each year.

Barrier Free Living Apartments (BFLA)

BFL Apartments celebrated a year of growth, renewal, and strengthened community—culminating in our 10-year anniversary. A decade of providing safe, accessible housing to survivors with disabilities represents more than just time; it represents hundreds of lives transformed, families stabilized, and futures reclaimed.

We relaunched the Learning Center with two additional staff members, expanding our capacity to serve children and families with enrichment, educational support, and programming. This investment in our youngest residents recognizes that healing happens across generations.

We also celebrated internal staff growth, promoting three team members—one into Senior Leadership and two others into Leadership roles. These promotions reflect our commitment to developing talent from within and ensuring continuity of care for our residents.

BFLA Resident Snapshot (CY 2024):

– 173 residents served

– 128 are adults 21 and over,  and 45 are children

– Average length of stay is 3257 days, or 8.9 years

This year reflects both a strengthened foundation and a vibrant, resilient community at BFLA—one that will continue growing and serving for decades to come.

Secret Garden

Secret Garden continued its mission of providing accessible, trauma-informed counseling and case management to survivors of domestic violence living in the community. As a lifeline for survivors who may not need shelter but urgently need support, Secret Garden met increased demand with creativity and compassion.

Throughout the year, the program served an average of 145 clients and just under 300 for the calendar year, providing individual counseling, safety planning, and connection to resources. The calming room remained a meaningful resource for grounding and healing, while monthly activity groups helped clients build community and reduce isolation.

Our outreach expanded significantly this year. Staff represented BFL at numerous tabling events and speaking engagements, including universities, community centers, and health organizations, ensuring that survivors know where to turn for help.  We partnered with the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) providing 10 in person and 2 virtual trainings throughout New York State to bring awareness to the intersection of disability and domestic violence.

The team facilitated a variety of support groups tailored to diverse needs: Men Have Feelings Too, PTSD Skills Group, and Parenting Journey—a 12-week curriculum that all enrolled participants completed, demonstrating the power of sustained, supportive programming.

With OPDV flex funds received in 2025, Secret Garden provided direct financial assistance to clients, covering critical expenses such as education, food, clothing, utilities, home needs, and rental arrears. For survivors working to rebuild their lives, this flexible support often made the difference between crisis and stability.

Secret Garden remains a lifeline of emotional support, safety planning, and empowerment for survivors across New York City.

Freedom Village

This year marked an extraordinary milestone: the completion of construction at Freedom Village, BFL’s newest supportive housing residence for survivors with disabilities and seniors.

Construction was completed in September 2025, and we proudly began welcoming our first tenants to this 74 unit building designed specifically to meet the needs of survivors seeking permanent, accessible housing. Every detail—from wider doorways to accessible kitchens and bathrooms—was planned with dignity and independence in mind.

Early move-ins have gone smoothly, supported by a dedicated staff team ensuring tenants feel welcomed and prepared for this next chapter. Tenants have already begun engaging in onsite services, including case management, community-building activities, and wellness support. Freedom Village represents not just housing, but a home—a place where survivors can finally put down roots and build the futures they deserve.

Looking Ahead

Across all programs, 2025 was a year defined by growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the people we serve. The dedication of our staff—from clinicians and case managers to maintenance teams and administrative leaders—continues to move our mission forward every single day.

As we enter 2026, we remain steadfast in our belief that safety, dignity, and freedom are possible for all survivors. We are grateful to our supporters, partners, and community members who make this work possible. Together, we will continue creating pathways to healing, stability, and hope.