Affordable Housing Breaks Ground In Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY— Construction has begun on 78 affordable homes on two long-vacant city-owned lots in Brooklyn's Broadway Triangle, marking the latest phase of a redevelopment effort that grew out of a nearly two-decade fight over the future of the neighborhood.

The $71.5 million Bartlett Crossing development will bring 78 permanently affordable apartments to 667 Flushing Ave. and 31 Bartlett St. in Williamsburg as the second phase of a larger plan expected to create 390 homes.

The development will include studio, one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments for households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income.

The project also reserves about eight apartments for people referred through the City's Department of Housing Preservation and Development Homeless Services unit.

A joint venture known as Unified Neighborhood Partners — made up of St. Nicks Alliance, Southside United HDFC–Los Sures, RiseBoro Community Partnership and United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg — is leading the project on city-owned land.

"Bartlett Crossing transforms vacant land into affordable housing in one of Brooklyn's most vibrant communities," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a news release.

Who Will Live At Bartlett Crossing?

The buildings will be entirely affordable housing, with apartments available to qualifying households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income.

The development will include homes for families of different sizes, ranging from studios to four-bedroom apartments. About eight units will go to formerly homeless New Yorkers through city referrals.

Why Did This Project Take Nearly Two Decades?

Council Member Lincoln Restler said the groundbreaking marked the latest milestone in a community effort that began nearly 20 years ago over the future of the Broadway Triangle parcels.

"I was a baby activist at the beginning of this fight nearly two decades ago over who would redevelop several vacant City lots in South Williamsburg," Restler wrote. "Ultimately, diverse community leadership came together to ensure Latino, Black and Jewish neighbors would all benefit."

What Happens Next?

Bartlett Crossing represents the second phase of a larger redevelopment that is expected to deliver 390 affordable homes across the Broadway Triangle site.

The groundbreaking drew elected officials including U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, state Sen. Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Maritza Dávila, who joined community organizations to mark the start of construction.

A completion date has not been announced.