City Commits To 100-Percent Affordable 'Gowanus Green' Project

GOWANUS, BROOKLYN — All 950 units at the long-awaited Gowanus Green development will be affordable, the city confirmed Thursday ahead of a meeting about the project.

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development released details Thursday afternoon about affordability levels for the complex, set for a city-owned former industrial site known as "Public Place."

The details make official a belief that the department would comply with a request from the community to up the percentage of affordable units from 75 to 100. It also reveals the levels of affordability, setting aside at least half for what the city defines as extremely low or very low-income households.

" With 100 percent affordability, Gowanus Green will provide 950 new below-market rate homes in an area that currently offers none, including housing for very low-income seniors and formerly homeless people with on-site services, and affordable homeownership opportunities for working class families,” sad Council Member Brad Lander, who was among those pushing for 100-percent affordability.

"...I am grateful to the City and to the Gowanus Green development team for their commitment to both beautiful, innovative, and resilient site design and meaningful affordability to ensure this public asset is well used to advance our community's shared priorities."

The city's announcement comes hours before a question-and-answer session about the development on Thursday evening that the department will lead as part of a series of meetings set up to pre-empt the certification of a massive rezoning planned for the neighborhood.

The development, which was first proposed in 2008, is being developed by Gowanus Green Partners, a joint venture of Fifth Avenue Committee, the Bluestone Organization, the Hudson Companies and the Jonathan Rose Companies.

It also includes a new public park, a new school and updates to the property's infrastructure.

Some residents have proposed turning the entire site into a park, instead of a housing complex.

The nearly 1,000 units of housing will be a huge leap toward the 3,000 estimated units of affordable housing city officials say the Gowanus Rezoning will bring to the neighborhood.

Here's a break down of the Gowanus Green affordability, according to HPD:

• At least 50% of rental housing will be dedicated to extremely low/very low-income households with incomes averaging at or below 50% AMI (approx. $51,200 for a family of 3), including at least 15% of rental units dedicated to formerly homeless households
• No more than 40% of rental housing will be dedicated to moderate income households with incomes averaging between 80% - 120% AMI (approx. $81,920 - $122,880 for a family of 3)
• Senior Housing will be provided for seniors 62+ years in age
• Supportive Housing will be provided for formerly homeless, disabled individuals or homeless families with a disabled head-of-household
• Affordable Homeownership will be provided for households with incomes averaging between 80% - 130% AMI (approx. $81,920 - $133,120 for a family of 3)

Find out how to attend or speak during the meeting Thursday here.

Read More:

• Petition Pushes For Vacant Gowanus Site To Be Turned Into Park
• Gowanus Rezoning Process Resumes This Week: What To Expect
• Gowanus Pushes For More Details As Rezoning Process Resumes
• Gowanus Rezoning Opponents Gear Up For End Of Coronavirus Delay