In early June, city and elected officials celebrated the opening of a brand new senior assisted-living facility on Webb Avenue. At the same time, agency leaders and housing consultants lamented the potential loss of the program that led to the facility’s creation.

Ultimately, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Gardens, a 71-unit assisted-living residence on the Jewish Home Lifecare’s Bronx campus in Kingsbridge, may become the last of its kind. In the coming years, it could be considered a living dinosaur.

For more than 50 years, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 202 program has helped provide supportive housing for low-income elderly residents. But money for the program has dried up on the federal and state levels and it’s unclear if it will be restored.

“Section 202 is a competitive annual program that nonprofits compete for,” said Teresa Bainton, director of HUD’s New York Multifamily division. “Unfortunately for the year 2011, no new section 202 development funding is on the budget.”

Richard Silverblatt, a housing consultant, said he wasn’t sure what the long-term plans for the program were, but it would be a shame if Weinberg Gardens is Section 202’s final monument. “I don’t know where or what [the government’s] intentions on [Section 202 are], but we’re not happy about the lack of funding,” he said.

“Lately, the federal government has not been as supportive to HUD and we’re going to lobby if it gets to that point [where they cut the program altogether],” said Audrey Weiner, the president and CEO of Jewish Home Lifecare.

Still, those in attendance at the ribbon cutting on June 3, were happy to unveil the new facility, which features fully handicap accessible and adaptable apartments, with emergency buttons and pull strings, fire alarm sprinklers, low countertops, stoves and gripped bathrooms. 

Apart from the state-of-the-art indoor accommodations, there is also a wrap-around garden and an outside sitting area equipped with umbrella shades. Jewish Home Lifecare will provide supportive services for the residents as well, including transportation help and recreational programming.

Eligible households must have at least one member 62 years of age or older, and must have a gross annual income of $22,000 or less for a one-person household and $25,100 or less for a two-person household. Tenant selection is currently under way.

At the ceremony, Rabbi Bonne Steinberg held up the building’s Mezuzah — a small case at the entrance of Jewish homes where scrolls with hand-written spiritual verses are placed — up to the sunlight. “This is a place of safety and tranquility,” she said, “a spiritual and physical shelter.”

Councilman Fernando Cabrera and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. both attended the ceremony. “I have a 102-year-old grandmother that, if anything were to occur, I would entrust in the care of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Gardens,” Cabrera said.