Adams launches major housing project with 385 affordable units in East New York

New York City Mayor Eric Adams broke ground on Phase 1A of the “Innovative Urban Village” housing development on July 15. The development will create 385 affordable and supportive homes in Brooklyn’s East New York neighborhood.

Apartments built in the first phase will be affordable to households earning up to 80 % of the area’s median income. Ninety-four apartments will also be reserved for families eligible for on-site support services, including those struggling with homelessness, such as case management, legal, nutritional, and social services. Phase 1A will also include commercial space for a fresh food grocery store.

The nearly $271 million project is part of the comprehensive redevelopment of the Christian Cultural Center’s campus. Once complete, the multi-phase redevelopment will create 2,000 affordable apartments in 10 buildings and feature community space with childcare, senior services, workforce development, and a new performing arts center.

The announcement continues to build on the Adams administration’s record as the most pro-housing administration in city history. In addition to creating record amounts of affordable housing two years in a row, passing the first citywide zoning reform in 60 years, and advancing five neighborhood plans to create jobs and new housing across the city, new housing like his one will help New York City reach Mayor Adams’ moonshot goal of building 500,000 new homes by 2032.

“The best way to tackle our city’s housing crisis is to build more affordable housing, and that is exactly what our administration is doing. ‘Innovative Urban Village‘ will bring Brooklyn more homes, jobs, and joy while giving more New Yorkers access to a brighter future in this vibrant community. By investing a total of $217 million to build 385 affordable homes, we are taking massive steps to make East New York one of the best places to live and raise a family,” said Mayor Adams.

“From creating record amounts of affordable housing year after year to passing historic zoning reform that will build new homes across our entire city, we are proud to be the most pro-housing administration in our city’s history. Thank you to Governor Hochul and Reverend Bernard for their shared vision and partnership in bringing this ambitious project to life,” he added.

“Projects like Innovative Urban Village represent more than the construction of housing — they breathe life into a promise made to the people of Brooklyn and to our city: that development can be rooted in equity, shaped by community, and guided by care,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. 

“Phase 1A is just one piece of a larger vision that spans multiple mixed-use buildings with community amenities and nearly 2,000 homes, including supportive housing for New Yorkers transitioning out of homelessness.”

“HDC is proud to support financing this dynamic, multi-phased project that will provide much-needed affordable housing for low-income and formerly homeless New Yorkers,“ said New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Eric Enderlin. “In addition to brand-new affordable homes, Innovative Urban Village will deliver commercial and community facility space that will benefit the broader East New York neighborhood for years to come. Congratulations to all our partners on reaching this latest milestone.“

“New York remains committed to keeping our state affordable and ensuring everyone has a safe and modern home to call their own,“ said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. “This project is helping us fight the housing affordability crisis while also prioritizing improvements that will make the neighborhood more livable for families. ‘Innovative Urban Village‘ would not have been possible without the cooperation of all our partners, including Mayor Adams and the Christian Cultural Center, who are dedicated to making New York a more affordable place to live. We look forward to the project’s completion and to welcoming residents home.”

“It’s incredible to stand alongside each of the partners, elected officials, and community members that worked together to make Innovative Urban Village a reality,“ said Christian Cultural Center Senior Pastor Rev A. R. Bernard. “We are confident that the ripple effects of this dynamic mixed-income community will be felt far beyond East New York, setting an example for all of New York to follow.”

Phase 1A is part of a multi-phase program to redevelop the Christian Cultural Center’s campus. The redevelopment is a joint-venture partnership between Urban Resource Institute, The Gotham Organization, and Monadnock Development. Patrice designed it for Architecture and Urbanism. The Urban Resource Institute will also provide on-site support services. The multi-phase program will enhance interconnectivity, promote walkability, and, ultimately, include 2,000 affordable apartments in 10 buildings. New streets are being added as an extension of the existing street grid to maximize walkability through interconnected pedestrian routes and three acres of open space.

Innovative Urban Village will also feature all-electric heating and cooling, solar panels, green roofs with drought-resistant vegetation to reduce heat and water consumption, electric vehicle charging stations, low-flow fixtures, LED lighting, and ENERGY STAR appliances. 

The City of New York rezoned the project site to accommodate the redevelopment. Innovative Urban Village is supported by $47 million from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) Extremely Low and Low-Income Affordability Program. Additional support will come from the New York State Homes and Community Renewals’ Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which is expected to generate more than $115 million in equity and $47 million from its Housing Finance Agency. 

“New Yorkers deserve access to affordable, secure, and modern housing. This development will help revitalize Christian Cultural Center’s campus, deliver critical support services for our most vulnerable, and bring another much-needed grocery store to East New York,“ said New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have and will keep fighting for federal funding to expand affordable housing in our state and across the country.“

“We’re excited to be part of the holistic transformation occurring in East New York, and we believe our $162 million investment in ‘Innovative Urban Village‘ will benefit this neighborhood and 385 households for years to come,“ said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “I am grateful to Governor Hochul and the City of New York, Christian Cultural Center, Gotham Organization, Monadnock, and all our partners for their vision and dedication to making this project possible.“

“The second construction phase of the ‘Innovative Urban Village‘ is a tremendous opportunity to provide more than four hundred affordable homes in East New York,“ said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “This project not only helps address housing deficiencies but also promotes equitable and sustainable living for our community for generations to come. I am excited for the future of our community.“

“The ‘Innovative Urban Village’ redevelopment project on the Christian Cultural Center campus is set to be a transformative investment in the 42nd Council District,“ said New York City Council Member Chris Banks. “I’m proud to partner on a project that delivers truly affordable housing. This is how we build and sustain neighborhoods for generations and how we begin to build Black and Brown generational wealth in real, tangible ways.“