15-dunham-place-040314

A report from the Real Affordability for All Campaign recommends that new developments in Brooklyn should be 50-50 affordable and market rate, with the affordable units targeted to low-income households, The New York Daily News reported. In the four years from 2008 to 2012, 61 buildings in Brooklyn received tax breaks but only five of them included below-market-rate apartments, according to the report.

That number sounds low to us, and presumably doesn’t include 100 percent affordable buildings that have gone up in areas such as Brownsville and East New York. Above, a new luxury building with affordable units at 15 Dunham Place in Williamsburg. The building has views of the water and the Williamsburg Bridge.

Further, “as rents keep skyrocketing in areas like Fort Greene and Boerum Hill, black and Hispanic populations have taken a dive over the past 10 years, according to the report,” said the story.

Real Estate Board of New York President Steven Spinola said a 50-50 mix would be impossible. “We all agree New York needs more affordable housing but changes to policy should not be based on flawed studies like this,” the story quoted him as saying.

What do you think?

Groups Want More Affordable Housing in Brooklyn From Mayor de Blasio [NY Daily News]
Luxurious Loophole Report [Real Affordability for All Campaign]

Photo by Google Maps


What's Your Take? Leave a Comment

  1. The majority of the comments here seem silly.

    If the city grants special privileges (i.e. zoning changes/ height exceptions/ or tax breaks) to a development, then the city has a right to demand that the public interest be served.

    Brooklyn (and the entire city) thrive on being economically diverse communities. That’s what makes these places so dynamic and culturally relevant. It’s also what allows the creative economies to flourish. If you don’t believe me, ask every Business Improvement District in the city how important economic diversity is..

    So if you don’t believe that people are entitled to affordable housing that’s great, but if developers build with public dollars then the city should pursue what is undeniably in the public best interest.

    I do concede however, that housing for the middle class is also becoming a problem. Young professionals, who make up a big part of the economy, are increasingly being squeezed out.

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