Brooklyn Pols, Housing Groups & Developers Present Workshops For Easier Access To Affordable Housing

Nora Whelan -

Earlier this afternoon, Brooklyn politicians and representatives of affordable housing groups, development companies, and Community Board 2 convened at Borough Hall to make an announcement low, middle, and moderate income Brooklyn families may find exciting: they’ll be offering five affordable housing workshops in the coming months to help demystify the often impenetrable process of successfully applying for local affordable housing lotteries.

Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Tucker Reed approached the podium first, excited about the 1,100 affordable units coming to our area within the next three years, but lamenting the inaccessible application process for residents of Community Board 2. Sometimes, he noted, the large number of applications that get turned away for small, nit-picky errors make it impossible even for developers to fill their affordable units. Reed explained he and other speakers on hand hoped to offer “a path of stability rather than a confounding dead end process” through the seminars.

Churches United for Fair Housing‘s Rob Solano later elaborated that issues causing an application to be rejected could include two parents in the midst of a divorce both listing the same child’s name on an application, anyone–not just the head of the household–over 18 on the application with poor credit, and even the use of white out.

Borough President Eric Adams called the workshops a way of “removing the no vacancy sign” on affordable housing.

“You must be prepared,” he said, “but we are going to hold your hand… each step of the way.”

Councilmember Laurie Cumbo was also on hand, and expressed her delight over a discussion she said started on the campaign trail coming to fruition. Relating her experience as someone who loves our borough and wants to continue to live in it, she explained, “This is so Brooklyn can stay in Brooklyn.”

Melissa Burch of Forest City Ratner spoke next about the 2,250 units for low, middle, and moderate income units on their way to the Atlantic Yards (600 in the next 11 months), and about the 50% of units in B2–a tower currently being built next to Barclays Center–being affordable.

Other developers involved with the initiative include Acadia Realty Trust/Washington Square Partners,BFC Partners, Two Trees Management Company, and Steiner NYC LLC.

Audience questions included whether any housing would be specifically set aside for seniors (it won’t, although seniors are as eligible as anyone else), and whether Atlantic Yards buildings would have a “poor door” (they won’t).

Community Board 2 residents get 50% preference in forthcoming lotteries for local housing, but as BP Adams mentioned, applicants should be prepared as possible to avoid their paperwork being rejected for avoidable reasons.

The first of the five workshops announced today will take place this Thursday, July 31 at Brown Memorial Baptist Church (484 Washington Avenue between Gates Avenue and Fulton Street) at 6:30pm. To RSVP, call 718-360-2906 or email jaylin@cuffh.org.

Future seminars will be held: