Free Resource Book Tells You Everything You Need To Know About Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach is experiencing a transformation — due to Superstorm Sandy recovery, changing demographics, or a surge in development that is rubbing out the low-slung bungalows.

To better understand these changes, and find out how to meet the needs of the community, the Brighton Neighborhood Association, with help from the Local Initiative Support Corporation and the Hester Street Collaborative, has come up with a detailed profile of the area.

“We wanted a comprehensive study done so we could have some ideas about what we should prioritize and what direction we should take in the future,” said Brighton Neighborhood Association Director Pat Singer.

The 37-page booklet, called Brighton Beach: Strengthening Community Resiliency, is now being distributed to interested neighbors. Residents can obtain a copy by calling the Brighton Neighborhood Association at 718-891-0800. Singer said the organization has few physical copies of the booklet, so they are delivering them via email. However, she said they are looking to print more color copies that will be available soon.

The study examines the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, and the progress of Brighton’s recovery. It also provides insight into the neighborhood’s changing demographics, where more and more immigrants from Latin America and Asia are finding homes alongside Russian-speaking neighbors. However, the study notes that Brighton is still overwhelmingly an immigrant community (70 percent of its residents are foreign-born).

The study also looks at household incomes, crime, unemployment rates, health, and access to affordable housing.

“This is information that anybody can use,” said Singer. “Whether it’s a political person, a person who wants something done, an homebuyer, or a student working on a research project. There’s information in here that people can use however they want.”

Give the Brighton Neighborhood Association a call. They’re happy to provide you with a copy.