Fredrik Eklund found a home for the nation's largest community center helping LGBT homeless youth in the US on Thursday's episode of Million Dollar Listing New York.
The 44-year-old real estate broker and his team member Charle went out to Harlem during the season nine episode titled A Home For Hope to meet with Alexander Roque, president of the Ali Forney Center.
'My team has been helping the Ali Forney Center for a long time and we helped them with a lot of stuff, like office supplies and office space. But recently Alex reached out to me specifically about a new project,' Fredrik said in a confessional.
Special client: Fredrik Eklund found a home for the nation's largest community center helping LGBT homeless youth in the US on Thursday's episode of Million Dollar Listing New York
Alex said the center does work in memory of Ali Forney, a transgender Black youth who was murdered in December 1997 in a killing that has never been solved.
'And in many ways, we're doing the same thing together. You're finding homes for people, and our job is to provide homes for homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people. They're young people who are kicked out of their homes because of homophobia and transphobia,' Alex said during their meeting at a drop-in center in Harlem.
'Statistically, LGBTQ young people are eight times more likely to be homeless than non-LGBTQ young people,' Alex told them.
Fredrik asked how they could help and Alex told him that their 18 sites were all rented with the exception of the Bea Arthur residence.
Done deal: The 44-year-old real estate broker had to get creative to find the center a new home
Harlem visit: Fredrik and his team member Charle went out to Harlem during the season nine episode titled A Home For Hope to meet with Alexander Roque, president of the Ali Forney Center
Eight times: 'Statistically, LGBTQ young people are eight times more likely to be homeless than non-LGBTQ young people,' Alex told them
Unsolved killing: The center does work in memory of Ali Forney, a transgender Black youth who was murdered in December 1997 in a killing that has never been solved
'Bea Arthur was a huge friend of the organization and left us in her will. And we were able to purchase our first building,' said Alex, referencing the late star of Maude and The Golden Girls who died at age 86 in 2009.
'And what we've learned with the Bea Arthur residence is that, if we own the buildings, we're able to generate revenue that goes back into the young people. And more importantly to our staff that's providing the care for our young people,' Alex said.
They were seeking to convert from a rental model into an ownership model and were looking for a home, preferably a townhouse.
Huge friend: 'Bea Arthur was a huge friend of the organization and left us in her will. And we were able to purchase our first building,' said Alex, referencing the late star of Maude and The Golden Girls who died at age 86 in 2009
'We are very fortunate to have a private, anonymous donor, and I've been given some ranges. Between $4 million and $8 million is kind of the neighborhood that we're in,' Alex told them.
Fredrik said they would donate any commission back to the organization.
'I'm gonna do my very, very best to find the Ali Forney Center a suitable town house. I mean it's not just another buyer and seller. These kids ...they need help. They need hope. They need traditions, and holidays, and they need to feel safe,' Fredrik said in a confessional.
Need hope: 'I'm gonna do my very, very best to find the Ali Forney Center a suitable town house. I mean it's not just another buyer and seller. These kids ...they need help. They need hope. They need traditions, and holidays, and they need to feel safe,' Fredrik said in a confessional
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Fredrik and Charle after searching tirelessly found the Hamilton House in West Harlem and showed it to Alex along with Marcia Bernard, interim executive director of operations, and Jase Cannon, the center's community development advisor.
The 1910 home was
