New affordable housing project aims to transform community

In a recent government meeting, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) presented plans for a new affordable housing development in East New York. The proposed project will consist of a seven-story building featuring 173 affordable rental apartments, including one unit for a superintendent, and approximately 8,700 square feet of community facility space.

The site, located at the intersection of Grant and Pittman Avenue, was identified as a potential affordable housing location during the East New York Neighborhood Planning Process and was awarded to the development team in 2019. The project requires several land use actions, including a zoning map amendment to transition from an R5 to an R6 district and the establishment of mandatory inclusionary housing.

The development aims to address community needs by incorporating a mix of unit types, including a notable inclusion of four-bedroom apartments, which is a first for HPD projects in the area. Approximately 56% of the units will be affordable to families earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with 30% of the units designated for formerly homeless individuals.

The community facility space will be shared between Baktis, a local organization providing various social services, and Brooklyn Medical Services, which will operate a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) on-site. The project also emphasizes sustainability, featuring solar panels and a green rooftop designed for both recreation and stormwater management.

During the meeting, concerns were raised regarding the proportion of smaller units in the development, with 72% of the apartments being studios or one-bedroom units. HPD representatives clarified that many of these smaller units are intended for formerly homeless individuals, and they are actively exploring options to increase the number of larger family-sized units.

Additionally, discussions included plans for future accessibility improvements at the nearby Grant Avenue subway station, with HPD committed to facilitating land transfers necessary for these enhancements.

Overall, the project represents a significant step towards increasing affordable housing options in East New York while also addressing community health and social service needs.