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June 11, 2008

New Affordable, Supportive Housing in Bushwick

880%20Wiloughby%20070.jpg Here's a rare bird: non-icky-looking affordable housing. What's pictured is the Anna Gonzalez Apartments, a 99-unit supportive housing rental at Broadway and Willoughby in Bushwick that's being dedicated to Gonzalez, the former chairwoman of Community Board 4, this week. All of the furnished apartments will be rented to tenants who earn no more that 50% of Area Median Income, the formerly homeless working, or individuals living with HIV/AIDS or a mental health diagnosis. The conversion project was developed by Central Brooklyn Community Services, Camba Housing Ventures, and designed by a firm called Oaklander Coogan & Vitto. GMAP

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That's a great looking conversion! Would that more developers took that route instead of destroying some really wonderful old architecture and putting up fedders boxes.Nice that they made it affordable housing too.

Posted by: bxgrl at June 11, 2008 10:36 AM

It's reassuring to know that there will be some housing for the populations listed above. It's great that formerly homeless people who have found jobs and are back in the routine of life will have an affordable place to live. Also, those living with HIV and mental illness need stable housing in order to get treatment and prevent homelessness.

I'm glad that brownstoner is posting about topics that affect Brooklynites other than the demographic that reads this site. Yesterday about the community center in Brownsville, today this. Keep up the good work!

Posted by: guest at June 11, 2008 10:54 AM

no fair why do poor people get condo lofts while i have to share a studio in canarsie

Posted by: guest at June 11, 2008 11:09 AM

Because you haven't entered treatment for your mental illness. When you have, apply.

Posted by: Putnamdenizen at June 11, 2008 11:34 AM

I totally agree with what bxgrl and 10:54 said. What is more green than adaptive reuse, and kudos for the recent attention to other neighborhoods, even Brighton Beach!

Posted by: Montrose Morris at June 11, 2008 11:56 AM

Welcome back!!!!!! Montrose-

Posted by: bxgrl at June 11, 2008 12:22 PM

disgusting - yes, be bad at what you do, have children you can't afford, don't do well in school and be financially irresponsible, and you get rewarded!!! GROSS!!!!!

Pay up like everybody else who struggles in this city.

this is totally, mind bendingly nauseating.

Posted by: guest at June 11, 2008 12:29 PM

Hey 12:29. Sorry you found the article so upsetting. maybe you just shouldn't have read it.

Posted by: bxgrl at June 11, 2008 12:35 PM

Yeah, 12:29, where does it mention "children you can't afford" or being "bad at what you do"? You may qualify to live in this building because it seems you have mental health issues yourself.

Posted by: guest at June 11, 2008 12:39 PM

I guess you could live here bxgrl, if your friends ever decide they are sick of letting you rent out their basement and selling kitty litter for a living.

- What, the stupid bxgrl

Posted by: guest at June 11, 2008 1:03 PM

C'mon, folks, lighten up. Everyone deserves a second chance. This is a good thing.

Posted by: guest at June 11, 2008 1:10 PM

Not only a second chance, but a lot of these people have really pulled themselves up out of terrible situations and worked hard to make their lives better. And others just need our compassion. I realize that a lot of people think everything should be judged monetarily but there are things you just can't and expect to survive as a viable, humane society. Or in fact survive at all.

Posted by: bxgrl at June 11, 2008 1:32 PM

ok - i agree w/bxgrl - that person who's whining needs meds for their mental illness. they definitely aren't original new yorkers- if you don't believe in a new york community go back to kansas.

it's great that finally this city is rewarding people who have loved it through thick and thin & not only when suits found brooklyn pretty- kudos on affordable housing!

Posted by: guest at June 11, 2008 1:50 PM

"Go back to Kansas". What an original comeback. Never seen that used on this board before. You are so creative and witty. Thanks for entertaining us.

Posted by: guest at June 11, 2008 2:38 PM

1:50: Why do you assume people who don't like this are not native? There are plenty of natives who may not find this use of funds appropriate. I don't agree with them, but trying to belittle them serves no purpose.

Posted by: guest at June 11, 2008 2:48 PM

12:29 sounds like they have a million dollars in quarters stuck up their ass. Hey 12:29, fuck off.

Posted by: guest at June 12, 2008 12:32 AM

This looks like a decent project but why is so much of this sort of thing being built in Bushwick. You can get a decent market rate 2 bedroom railroad flat for $1000/mo. in Bushwick so I question the need for more "affordable" housing. I suspect that these projects get built here because there is no community opposition. Try building "supportive" housing in Park Slope and see how much the locals protest.

Posted by: guest at June 12, 2008 1:18 PM

Obviously the need is there- just because you can find some market rate 2 bedrooms, in Bushwick a lot of people can't afford market rate. Supportive housing is not the same as building a men's shelter - these are people either very ill or who have been able to put themselves back into the job market but can't afford a market rate apartment.

I don't know the situation in Park Slope but I can't see why anyone would object to giving a helping hand to those in need- espeially when many of them are working and trying to be constructive and valuable members of the community again.

Posted by: bxgrl at June 12, 2008 11:42 PM

I live down the street from there and have been wondering what it was going to be. Up close it's really a beautiful building, I'm happy having it in the neighborhood whatever it's use is.

Posted by: bunkerlabs at June 16, 2008 10:19 PM

Wow…what a great way to fight tooth & nail @ gentrification & keeping it (Ghetto) real in Bushwick! Just keep on coddling the people who don’t play by the rules. This way…the politicians can be always voted in again, for coddling so-called “ex drug users” & “working Homeless", whatever that means!? Now they have a brand new Loft bldg location; to perpetuate drug selling, lowlifes Hanging out with the homies & lets mug a “HIPSTER” tonight!!! Not bad when they do not have to pay normal rent, like the rest of us suckers!!!

Oh yeah…hipsters! This is what you get; when you try to stop gentrification & the displacement of the so-called (long time residents (the biggest myth going on) you always get “Fv<ked” @ the end!!!

Posted by: guest at June 21, 2008 12:31 PM

Posted by: guest at June 21, 2008 1:14 PM

There are plenty of hard working, legally employed people who cannot afford $1000 for a 2 bdrm apartment. And ex-drug users and people with a mental health diagnosis often need a place like this to act as a stepping stone. Its not a hand-out, its a hand-up, and the city needs more places like this.

Posted by: guest at June 21, 2008 1:37 PM

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June 11, 2008

New Affordable, Supportive Housing in Bushwick

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