Huge Affordable Housing Development Now Accepting Applications in East New York

The lottery has just opened for hundreds of affordable units in a new housing development in East New York. The complex of buildings, known as Livonia Commons, will have studio apartments starting at $500 a month, one-bedrooms units starting at $538, two-bedrooms at $655 and up and three-bedrooms at starting at $749. The most expensive unit is a three-bedroom for $1,196.

The opening of the lottery was first reported by Brokelyn.

A few details on the income restrictions: The least expensive studio unit is available only to someone earning between $18,515 and $24,200 a year. The most expensive units could go to a family of six earning between $42,892 and $60,120 a year. A PDF of the table outlining the income requirements can be downloaded here.

When complete, the development will have 223 units of affordable housing over four buildings clustered near the Pennsylvania Avenue 3 train stop. The buildings at 491 and 494 Sheffield Avenue, 494 Georgia Avenue and 481 Williams Avenue are all along Livonia Avenue.

The developer of the project, Dunn Development Corp., specializes in affordable housing and worked with Housing Partnership as its nonprofit partner. The two also worked on the Navy Green project.

According to the developer, more than half of the units will be set aside for those earning less than 40 and 50 percent of the area median income. Half of the units are also for those already living in Community District 5, and 5 percent are set aside for municipal employees.

The buildings will have a combined 28,000 square feet of retail and community space, including an arts center. A planned fifth building will have 50,000 square feet set aside for a Boys Club of New York clubhouse.

This project comes along as the city is in the midst of rezoning East New York to allow for much taller buildings and much more new affordable housing. To accommodate the large buildings in this project, the city had to upzone 10 blocks.

Applications for the units can be submitted through NYC Housing Connect. The application deadline is July 1.

Get a $500/Month Studio in East New York Without Selling Your Organs [Brokelyn]
Public Review of East New York Rezoning Proposal Will Start in September, Not Now [Brownstoner]
Rendering via NYC Housing Connect

 Top rendering via Housing Connect, all other images via Dunn Development Corp.