City Approves Affordable Housing Development For Brownsville

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.