City Approves Affordable Housing Development For Brownsville

City Approves Affordable Housing Development For Brownsville
An architectural rendering of the proposed housing development “Edwin’s Place” (Rendering via Robert A.M. Stern Architects)

BROWNSVILLE – The City Planning Commission has unanimously approved plans for a new housing development that will bring 125 affordable homes to homeless and low-income families in Brownsville.

The decision came down yesterday, October 4, for non-profit partners Breaking Ground and the African American Planning Commission to go ahead with developing the vacant site, bringing not only housing, but also ground-floor retail to 3 Livonia Avenue.

The new supportive housing building will be 8 stories tall, with 56 studios and 69 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. A total of 47 units will be set aside for for low-income community residents, with rents as low as $462 per month for a studio; $590 for a one-bedroom; $718 for a two-bedroom; and $821 for a three-bedroom.

The project was designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, the group behind 15 Central Park west and a bevy of massive New York residential projects.

“Advancing a community-driven revitalization of Brownsville is personal to me; I was born in the community, I’ve been proud to serve this community, and I believe in this community’s boundless potential,” said Borough President Eric Adams in a statement.

Stakeholders in the project touted the role of ultra-affordable housing in helping residents break the cycles of homelessness and drug-addiction and hoped that the supportive housing would help to benefit the community.

The proposal is now headed to the City Council for final review.