Are These Bed Stuy Apartments Starting at $2,100 a Month Really Affordable?

An affordable housing lottery that stretches the idea of affordability has opened for three newly constructed units in a four-story building at 1032 Dekalb Avenue in Bed Stuy.

Of the affordable apartments, there is a single one-bedroom unit and a pair of two-bedrooms. Monthly rents start at $2,100 and top out at $2,400.

The lottery is set at an area median income range of 130 percent, and the building is anticipated to receive a tax exemption through the 421a tax incentive program. Eligible incomes range between $72,000 and $149,890 for households of one to five people.

There are seven total units in the building. There’s a laundry room in the cellar and, although the lottery listing says there is rooftop access, that is not reflected in building permits.

Market rate rentals launched in June 2018. Listing pictures show light hardwood floors and open kitchens jammed in the corner of the main living space with bronze metallic subway tile backsplashes and black cabinetry. Standard white subway tile line the walls of the bathrooms.

Two-bedroom units have been offered for as low as $2,338 a month, which is actually $62 less than the price of a two-bedroom affordable income-restricted and rent-stabilized unit in the same building.

Queens-based architect Christopher V. Papa is the applicant of record. His firm has previously designed or is currently working on a number of similar four-story rental building in Brooklyn, including buildings at 42 Devoe Street and 11 Conselyea Street in Williamsburg, and another at 150 Richardson Street in East Williamsburg.

According to building permits, the owner is Abraham Grunbaum. He purchased the formerly empty lot in 2016 for $1.34 million.

Applications for the affordable housing lottery must be submitted by August 19, 2019. Apply through NYC Housing Connect. To learn more about how to apply for affordable housing, read Brownstoner’s guide.

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• Affordable Housing Lottery Opens for 32 Units in Sheepshead Bay, Starting at $1,450 a Month

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