The first phase of a major affordable housing project in Brooklyn has been completed, according to an announcement from Governor Kathy Hochul. The Alafia Phase 1 development brings 576 new affordable homes to the East New York neighborhood and is part of a broader plan to redevelop the former Brooklyn Developmental Center campus into more than 2,400 affordable residences.
This $387 million initiative is part of the State’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative, which aims to address health and economic disparities in Central Brooklyn. The six-phase redevelopment is intended to provide not only housing but also health and economic benefits for local residents.
Governor Hochul stated, “The Alafia development is a powerful example of how we can transform underutilized State-owned land to create vibrant, healthy communities. By combining affordable housing, supportive services, and high-quality health care in one sustainable development, we are delivering the type of holistic investments that Central Brooklyn deserves. These 576 new homes reflect our commitment to advancing health equity, expanding housing opportunities, and building a stronger and more resilient Brooklyn for generations to come.”
The project includes a 15,000-square-foot outpatient clinic operated by One Brooklyn Health. This facility will offer primary and specialty care along with laboratory services and a pharmacy. Community engagement played a role in shaping the clinic’s design and programming.
Alafia Phase 1 was constructed with several energy-efficient features such as an all-electric micro-grid system, geothermal heating and cooling, rooftop solar panels supported by state initiatives like NY-Sun from NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority), wastewater heat recovery systems, green roofs, an urban farm, on-site composting facilities, and Energy Star appliances. These elements are designed to lower utility costs while reducing energy consumption.
In addition to residential units available for households earning up to 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), there are 132 supportive apartments reserved for individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities. Services for the UnderServed will provide on-site support including care coordination and employment assistance.
The development also offers accessible units equipped for people with mobility impairments as well as those with hearing or visual impairments.
State financing included permanent tax-exempt bonds totaling $38.1 million; Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits generating $117.8 million in private sector equity; $174.9 million in subsidies from New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR); nearly $950,000 from Clean Energy Initiative funding through HCR-NYSERDA partnership; over $850,000 via NYSERDA’s NY-Sun program; anticipated federal Solar and Geothermal Tax Credits worth about $670,000; a Program Development Grant from the Office of Mental Health ($430,000); operational funding through both the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative administered by OMH.
Development partners include L+M Development Partners, Services for the UnderServed, Apex Building Group, and RiseBoro Community Partnership. The master plan was designed by Dattner Architects following a Request for Proposals issued in 2018 by Empire State Development together with HCR.
