August 25, 2023

New Affordable Housing is Coming to Brooklyn, HPD Seeks Community Input on Boerum Hill Sites 

HPD wants New Yorkers to provide input to help guide the development plans starting with events in August and September.  

NEW YORK, NY – The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is kicking off community engagement for affordable housing at two City-owned lots in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. The two sites are located at 153 Nevins Street and 108-114 Third Avenue and are currently used for parking. These sites present an opportunity to address the neighborhood’s needs and prioritize new housing and community amenities.   

The process begins with public outreach in August and September where New Yorkers will have the opportunity to learn about the process and help envision the future for both sites.    

On September 9th, HPD will visit block parties near the sites on Bergen, Wyckoff, Warren, and Pacific Streets. In early fall, HPD will host an open house where attendees will have the opportunity to work with their neighbors and make recommendations for both the sites. Details of the open house will be available on the HPD website.  

"Engaging with our local communities and tenants on how to shape their communities is a critical part of the planning process to ensure that all voices are heard," said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. "We are excited to support Wyckoff Garden tenants, Boerum Hill residents, HPD, and Council Member Restler in this important community feedback process to make these future housing sites important additions to the neighborhood."  

“Sites like the ones at Nevins Street and Third Avenue are key to the goal of building affordable housing across New York City, including neighborhoods like Boerum Hill.” said HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “These sites have significant housing potential in an amenity rich neighborhood with transit service and proximity to Atlantic Ave. HPD looks forward to working with community members to create a vision, move plans forward, and deliver solutions for tackling the housing crisis.” 

"I am thrilled that deeply affordable housing is coming closer to reality in Boerum Hill.” said Councilmember Lincoln Restler. “The proposed sites will create much needed affordable housing for families and seniors, including apartments for people exiting our shelters. My office will continue to work closely with community and HPD to ensure the project progresses swiftly.”   

In order to develop City-owned land into affordable housing, HPD uses a competitive process called a Request for Proposals (RFP) that asks developers to respond to a set of goals and guidelines for the sites that reflect community priorities.   

A number of goals were established in collaboration with Councilmember Lincoln Restler and community stakeholders in 2022. Based on these goals, HPD is planning for both sites to have 100% affordable housing, with one serving older New Yorkers and the other prioritizing deeply affordable housing for families. Additionally, there will be a preference for projects with more homes for extremely and very low-income households, and formerly homeless households. HPD anticipates approximately 125 units of affordable housing will be coming to these two sites.   

The community engagement process will conclude with the publishing of a Community Visioning Report, summarizing the community’s engagement and input. The report, along with any additional public engagement information will be available in the Nevins and Third RFP. Interested development parties responding to the RFP are encouraged to read the report and consider community input in their proposals. HPD will then review each proposal and evaluate the developers’ compatibility with the community vision. 

To learn more about the planning process for the Nevins and Third sites and sign up for updates, please visit nyc.gov/nevins-and-third-rfp.   

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The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) promotes quality and affordability in the city's housing, and diversity and strength in the city’s neighborhoods - because every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable place to live in a neighborhood they love. We maintain building and resident safety and health, create opportunities for New Yorkers through housing affordability, and engage New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength and diversity. HPD is entrusted with fulfilling these objectives through the goals and strategies of Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness, Mayor Adams’ comprehensive housing framework. To learn more about what we do, visit nyc.gov/hpd and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @NYCHousing.   

Contact:  
press@hpd.nyc.gov