Brownsville Affordable Housing Lottery Opens With $1,197 Three-Bedrooms

A lottery has opened for 49 truly affordable apartments, including large ones, in the last phase of an addition to the longstanding Marcus Garvey Village in Brownsville. The last phase, comprising Buildings C and E, has 287 apartments in total.

Located at 366 Bristol Street and 380 Chester Street a few blocks from Betsey Head Pool, units in the lottery are aimed at households with incomes ranging from 40 percent to 70 percent of Area Median Income, or $41,692 to $140,630.

At 40 percent of AMI, a three-bedroom rents for just $1,197 a month. For those earning 70 percent of AMI, the same three-bedroom will go for $2,544. Studios start at $1,475 (for those earning 50 percent of AMI), and one-bedrooms range from $1,146 to $1,854 a month. Two-bedrooms are available starting at 1,046 and top out at $2,212 a month.

Tenants of the all-electric buildings are responsible for electricity including stoves. Geothermal systems will efficiently and affordably heat and cool the buildings. The complex includes a shared laundry room, bike storage lockers, lounge, and outdoor space.

Developed by L+M Partners, Phase 2, along with Phase 1, was designed by Curtis + Ginsberg Architects, according to a funding announcement. The mass of the two buildings, which each take up a block front, is broken up into smaller, relatable chunks resembling townhouses clad in pale gray brick, while the bulk of the two buildings are dark gray and slightly recessed. Stripes of blue and gray at the sides provide a dash of color.

The ground floor will contain a mix of community space and retail and be pedestrian friendly with high ceilings and big windows, the rendering shows.

First constructed in the 1970s as part of the Mitchell-Lama program, the original Marcus Garvey Apartments, also known as Marcus Garvey Village, comprises 625 affordable apartments over nine blocks. Owned by L+M Development Partners since 2014, it has been updated with new kitchens and bathrooms as well as rooftop solar power.

In 2019, the state launched a two-phase plan to add new housing to the campus, and Marcus Garvey Extension Phase 1 — with 384 units plus community and retail space — opened in 2022.

Marcus Garvey Extension Phase 2 also includes 88 supportive units for formerly incarcerated people, and 55 supportive apartments for formerly homeless New Yorkers and families at risk of homelessness under the city’s 15/15 program.

The development will provide myriad support services for residents. The Osborne Association will run workforce development programs, family and relationship coaching, and independent skills training for formerly incarcerated tenants, while Services for the Underserved will offer support for formerly homeless and at-risk residents.

To apply for the Marcus Garvey C-E lottery, visit the listing on Housing Connect. Applications are due by October 13.

Related Stories

• Work Begins on Final Phase of Affordable Brownsville Housing Development
• Brooklyn Sees Most Housing Development in NYC in Past 13 Years, Data Shows
• Hope for Brownsville Housing Project Didn’t Pan Out