Last night a small crowd gathered at the Co-Op School to discuss the affordable housing going up in Clinton Hill on Putnam Avenue, between Downing and Irving (pictured), with developer Martin Dunn. In the building, 34 units are reserved for formerly homeless people with psychiatric issues, and another 24 units will go to lottery for residents within 50 percent of the area medium income. “I want to dispel the rumor of any drug clinic here,” Council Member Tish James told the crowd, “We don’t want to say this is something that it’s not.” She also added: “This is a project that I support and has been supported by a significant number of residents.” Dunn gave an overview on the development, which includes a landscaped backyard, community room, 24-hour front desk, three social service workers on staff, and security cameras. A representative from CAMBA, who oversees the on-site social service work, said the homeless residents are intensively screened, receive background checks, and “are expected to be good neighbors just like anybody else.” There were concerns about crime already existing on the block, with one resident noting, “There are already a lot of temptations on Putnam.” Another resident pointed out that there’s a shelter for battered women nearby and wondered if residents may clash with those of this affordable build. Dunn said that the presence of the building, the doormen, the lights, and security cameras have made blocks safer in the past where similar buildings were built. “Crime happens on blocks of least resistance,” said Dunn, referring to the long-empty lot that once lined Putnam Avenue. “Putnam will no longer be the block of least resistance.”
Community Meeting for Putnam Avenue Supportive Housing Project Tomorrow [Brownstoner]
Putnam Court, Rendered [Brownstoner]
Big Dig at Putnam Avenue Lot [Brownstoner]
Clinton Hill Affordable Build Going Up This Month [Brownstoner]
Clinton Hill Lot to Become Affordable Housing [Brownstoner] GMAP


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. “This building will not contribute anything negative to the area..”

    i can’t think of any positives to this except that it will fill an empty lot.

    no one knows for sure how it will turn out. however i would take whatever the developer or politician promised with a grain of salt.

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