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It’s been a while since we heard any news from the Schermerhorn House, the 217-unit supportive housing development at 160 Schermerhorn Street in Downtown Brooklyn. That doesn’t mean nothing’s been happening though! According to a representative from Common Group, the group overseeing the effort, 77 units have been rented so far and full occupancy is expected by the end of June. In addition to housing formerly homeless, special-needs residents, Schermerhorn House will also hook up starving artists with affordable apartments. This place is about as sexy as supportive housing gets, no?
Development Watch: Schermerhorn House Nears Completion [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Schermerhorn House Gets Its Skin [Brownstoner] GMAP
Development Watch: 160 Schermerhorn Tops Out [Brownstoner] P*Shark
Development Watch: Schermerhorn House Rising [Brownstoner] DOB
Some More 411 on the “Schermerhorn House” [Brownstoner]


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  1. i work in the arts for basically peanuts and i hear about this. but the ways these usually work out is friends of friends get preference and you can’t tell me otherwise. ideally it does sounds like a good program, but im a little skeptical about shadiness that might be involved, and for good reason.

    *rob*

  2. It’s a great concept, Mr. McLaughlin. I’m so glad something is being done to support artists. We really don’t give enough consideration to the arts- most people in the arts and humanities work for peanuts. Yet where would NYC be without them?

  3. Painting butterflies on your toenails will, sadly, not qualify you for an apartment in this building. There was a lottery held for the low-income units, an effort that included substantial marketing and outreach. This was followed by a detailed application process with a super-preference for those low-income individuals throughout the arts and entertainment community. This population includes electricians, stage-hands, carpenters, etc. The (very talented) architect was Susan Rodriguez, with Polshek Partnership Architects.

    Thanks for your interest!

    Evan McLaughlin
    Common Ground Communications Director

  4. no, there’s definitely still a LOT of them around dipster. most of them don’t come across as “starving” though. i think that’s a very dated and overly romanticized term to begin with.

    *rob*

  5. Are there really any significant starving artists here anymore? I feel the ones who are actually serious about making art would have moved to another affordable city a long time ago.

  6. biotch please! hooking up starving artists with affordable housing? whatever. i can understand REAL special needs, but that is just lame. most good artists actually have other jobs and do their art on the side and find ways to make money and still do their art. if i said i like to paint butterflies on my toenails will that qualify me as an artist to get into this building?!?

    *rob*