News Summary
Brooklyn is witnessing a robust movement towards affordable housing, bolstered by a significant investment from the pro-housing group Open New York in City Council races. With their political action committee, Abundant New York, they back six candidates focusing on crucial local housing policies. Furthermore, new affordable housing projects such as Prospect House and Longview are set to provide hundreds of residences for New Yorkers, indicating a hopeful outlook for affordable living in the area.
Brooklyn Welcomes New Housing Initiatives and Political Support!
Exciting things are happening in Brooklyn and across New York City as the push for affordable housing continues to gain momentum. The pro-housing group Open New York is stepping into the political arena with big plans, announcing their intention to invest a whopping $500,000 in supporting candidates who advocate for housing development in City Council races. This is a significant increase compared to the $250,000 they spent in previous state legislative races, showcasing their commitment to ensuring that housing remains a hot topic in local politics.
Meet the Candidates!
Open New York has launched a political action committee (PAC) called Abundant New York that is lending its support to several promising candidates. This year, they’re backing six candidates who are facing tight races for City Council positions, in addition to throwing their weight behind incumbents who have established themselves in more secure districts. Among the notable names receiving the PAC’s coveted endorsement are Shahana Hanif, the current Council Member representing Brooklyn, and Ben Wetzler, a member of Open New York campaigning in Manhattan.
The backing of these candidates illustrates the crucial role City Council members play in shaping local housing policies—especially when it comes to rezoning and new development initiatives. With New Yorkers increasingly prioritizing housing development, the number of candidates applying for endorsements has seen a significant uptick, signaling a community ready for change.
Tough Races Ahead
All candidates backed by the PAC are Democrats, and most are gearing up to tackle formidable primary challenges scheduled for June 2025. Alongside Hanif and Wetzler, voters will see endorsements for Jess Coleman, Elsie Encarnacion, Pierina Sanchez, and Shirley Aldebol, who is running for a Bronx seat this November. Meanwhile, a few incumbents, including Erik Bottcher, Shaun Abreu, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, Crystal Hudson, and Chi Ossé, have also received endorsements, ensuring that support for housing continues across the board.
A New Wave of Affordable Housing
In sync with this political momentum, affordable housing lotteries are now launching across Brooklyn! A brand new mixed-use building named Prospect House, located at 953 Dean Street in Crown Heights, is offering 240 residences. Out of these, 72 units are set aside for individuals and families earning between 80% and 130% of the area median income (AMI), with qualifying incomes ranging from $68,949 to $161,590.
For those interested, rent prices for the 80% AMI units are competitively priced, with studios starting at $1,869, one-bedroom apartments at $1,993, two-bedrooms at $2,375, and three-bedroom units at $2,728. And let’s not forget the building’s fantastic amenities—a dog washing station, a gym, a business center, and a rooftop terrace make this community a pet-friendly haven.
But that’s not all! Another affordable housing lottery is kicking off for the new 17-story building called Longview at 380 4th Avenue in Gowanus, which features 197 apartments. This lottery includes 50 rent-stabilized and income-restricted units designed for households earning between $35,589 and $100,620. Renters can expect to find one-bedroom units priced at $874 and $1,374, while two-bedroom units are available for $1,031 and $1,631.
Get Your Applications Ready!
Thanks to the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program and recent neighborhood rezoning, developers are now required to include affordable units in their projects. The deadline for submitting applications for the Longview lottery is set for April 28, 2025, and interested parties can easily apply through the NYC Housing Connect website.
With all of these initiatives rolling out, the future of affordable housing in Brooklyn looks promising. Stay tuned for more updates on which candidates will rise to the challenge and how many New Yorkers will benefit from these exciting new housing opportunities!
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Additional Resources
- City & State NY: Pro Housing PAC Will Spend at Least $500k in City Council Races
- New York YIMBY: Housing Lottery Launches for Prospect House in Crown Heights
- New York Times: Housing Market in NYC
- Brownstoner: Gowanus Affordable Housing Lottery for Longview
- Curbed: Best NYC Apartments for Rent Right Now
