Blink and you’ve missed him. Herman Tannenbaum is always on the move. He pauses for a lunchtime refuel, but then it’s back to business for Tannenbaum, who designs and produces original greeting cards.

The treasurer of his tenants association, Tannenbaum speaks modestly of his having recently been voted Tenant of the Year. He was probably chosen because he tries his best to help other tenants and welcome new faces. But, he says with a wink, what he enjoys most is spending time with this "beautiful lady friend."

The two go out dancing every two weeks and watch "Dancing with the Stars" on TV. At the end of the day, Tannenbaum says, "I feel young."

What makes this story unusual is that Tannenbaum is 94 and resides at Kittay House, a supported independent living home, just below Kingsbridge Road and across the street from the Bronx VA Hospital on Webb Avenue.

For 37 years, Kittay has provided clients like Tannenbaum with what New York Magazine calls the best housing buy for seniors in New York.

Thriving on the five-acre campus of Jewish Home and Hospital, Kittay House has attracted seniors who prioritize autonomy since 1970. That year, Kittay created moderate-income housing for people ages 62 and up in conjunction with the state’s Mitchell-Lama Housing program, which provides affordable rental and cooperative housing to moderate- and middle-income families.

Funded by the Mitchell-Lama subsidy and philanthropic donations, Kittay House continues to provide housing for a middle-class population of former teachers, librarians, and workers and homemakers of all kinds.

"These were givers to their communities," says Kittay House’s executive director Arlene Richman. "Here we support [tenants] in being who they want to be and who they were."

Most residents are in their mid- to late 80s. Kittay’s amenities attract many Bronxites and an increasing number of tenants from Manhattan because of the shortage of affordable housing there, Richman says.

Although affiliated with Jewish Home, Kittay House is not a nursing home. Harriet Rosenberg, a Jewish Home spokesperson describes it as "supported independent living that is part of the [Jewish Home] community, with access to all of its resources."

Jewish Home health and medical programs are fully accessible to Kittay tenants.

This summer, as a $9 million renovation project nears completion, enhancements will increase safety and comfort for Kittay tenants, says Richman.

The rehab began in 2005 with work on the elevators, which were outfitted with a voice automated announcement system and red and green lights indicating when it is safe to enter and leave. There is brighter lighting in common areas as well as new sprinkler and fire systems. Showers have replaced tubs, which are often associated with slips and hip injuries.  

 Common areas have also been renovated, best exemplified by the bigger tenant lounge, and the re-vamped restaurant-style dining room. In the newly furnished, painted, and re-floored area, tenants enjoy meals twice a day.

But it’s the intangibles at Kittay that may be the most telling of why residents consider it home.

Sitting with her husband, Mort, and several friends at lunch, Edna Nelkin, 86, says that next to a game of Trivial Pursuit, the meal is the highlight of her day.

"This is the number one table!" she exclaims, mentioning their discussions on topics ranging from politics to the artist Frida Kahlo. "The conversation starts as soon as we hit the chairs and we’re always the last to leave."

Tenants like Sidney Kronish share their knowledge and exchange ideas through the Scholars-in-Residence lecture series. On this day, for instance, the retired Montclair State University professor has just finished an outline for an upcoming lecture on the American Revolution. Wine-and-cheese get-togethers and movie nights further stoke discussion and friendships among tenants.

Then there’s the everyday amenities that just make life easier. Carola Wigder, who has run the Kittay House sundry shop for a year, sits with shift partner Lorraine Deering. They keep track of shelves stocked with necessities such as cereal and detergent and tenant favorites like Hershey chocolate bars.

Zelda Fassler, 79, enjoys the daily morning run and is able tend to her husband,  Paul, just across the courtyard at the Jewish Home before sitting down to lunch with her close friend, Rhoda Kaufman, 86. The two have known each other for over a year and have enjoyed the opera and other trips to Manhattan together.

As caregivers, both women say they can look after their husbands, while making time for activities they plan for themselves. Fassler has helped Kaufman, one of the newer tenants, adjust to her new home.

"I’m very happy here," Kaufman says.

Ed. note: Kittay House has 295 apartments with monthly studio rentals beginning from $1,431 and one bedroom apartments starting at $2,575. For more information on Kittay, call (718) 410-1420.