Governor Hochul Announces Construction is Underway on $270 Million 385-Unit Affordable and Supportive Housing Development in Brooklyn

First Project of Multi-Phase Innovative Urban Village Program To Redevelop Christian Cultural Center’s Campus. Development Includes Commercial Space for Grocery Store Offering Fresh Produce

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that construction is underway at Innovative Urban Village Phase 1A, a 385-unit affordable housing development with commercial space for a fresh food grocery store in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. The $270 million project is part of the comprehensive redevelopment of the Christian Cultural Center’s campus. Event images and project renderings are available here. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) has financed more than 7,700 affordable homes in Brooklyn. Innovative Urban Village continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year housing plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

“New York remains committed to keeping our state affordable and ensuring everyone has a safe and modern home to call their own,” Governor Hochul said. “This project is helping us fight the housing affordability crisis while also prioritizing improvements that will make the neighborhood more livable for families. Innovative Urban Village would not have been possible without the cooperation of all our partners, including Mayor Adams and the Christian Cultural Center, who are dedicated to making New York a more affordable place to live. We look forward to the project’s completion and to welcoming residents home.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, “The best way to tackle our city’s housing crisis is to build more affordable housing, and that is exactly what our administration is doing. ‘Innovative Urban Village’ will bring more homes, more jobs, and more joy to Brooklyn, while giving more New Yorkers access to a brighter future in this vibrant community. From creating record amounts of affordable housing year after year to passing historic zoning reform that will build new homes across our entire city, we are proud to be the most pro-housing administration in our city’s history. Thank you to Governor Hochul and Reverend Bernard for their shared vision and partnership in bringing this ambitious project to life.”

All 385 apartments will be affordable to households earning between 30 percent and 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Additionally, 94 apartments will be reserved for households eligible for on-site support services, including those struggling with homelessness. Services will include case management, legal services, nutritional support, and social services.

Innovative Urban Village will feature all-electric heating and cooling, solar panels, green roofs with drought resistant vegetation to reduce heat and water consumption, electric vehicle charging stations, low-flow fixtures, LED lighting, and ENERGY STAR appliances.

This project is part of a multi-phase program to redevelop the Christian Cultural Center’s campus. The redevelopment is a joint-venture partnership between the Christian Cultural Center, The Gotham Organization, and Monadnock Development. It was designed by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism and SLCE Architects. The Urban Resource Institute will provide the on-site support services.

The multi-phase program will ultimately include a total of nearly 2,000 affordable apartments in 10 buildings. It will also feature community space with childcare, senior services, workforce development, and a new performing arts center. New streets are being added as an extension of the existing neighborhood street grid to maximize walkability through interconnected pedestrian routes and three acres of publicly accessible open space.

The City of New York approved the rezoning of the project site to accommodate the redevelopment.

Innovative Urban Village is supported by HCR’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program which is expected to generate more than $115 million in equity and $47 million from its Housing Finance Agency. Additional support includes $47 million from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Extremely Low- and Low-Income Affordability Program. The project is also supported by the Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs Alternatives.

The site is participating in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s successful Brownfield Cleanup Program and, when completed, would be eligible for $28 million in tax credits administered by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Operating funding for the supportive apartments will be provided by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Today’s announcement also builds on Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes” plan to create thousands of new homes across the city and develop more family-friendly neighborhoods from Coney Island to Inwood.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “We’re excited to be part of the holistic transformation occurring in East New York and we believe our $162 million investment in Innovative Urban Village will benefit this neighborhood and 385 households for years to come. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and the City of New York, Christian Cultural Center, Gotham Organization, Monadnock, and all our partners for their vision and dedication to making this project possible.”

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “The permanent supportive housing that will be created at Innovative Urban Village will provide individuals and families who have experienced homelessness with a place to call home along with onsite access to essential support services that will help them remain stably housed for years to come. We are grateful to all our state and local partners on this important project and to Governor Hochul for making landmark investments to expand the supply of affordable and supportive housing across New York State.”

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Cleaning up environmental pollution in communities like Brooklyn unlocks investments in critical needs like affordable housing, transitional housing services, and community spaces. New York State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program is a vital tool that supports community revitalization across the state and the Innovative Urban Village project in East New York is a prime example of how this successful cleanup program is helping advance Governor Hochul’s continued efforts to increase affordable, sustainable housing statewide while also protecting public health and the environment.”

“This project is helping us fight the housing affordability crisis while also prioritizing improvements that will make the neighborhood more livable for families.”

Governor Kathy Hochul

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said, “Projects like Innovative Urban Village represent more than the construction of housing — they breathe life into a promise made to the people of Brooklyn and to our city: that development can be rooted in equity, shaped by community, and guided by care. Phase 1A is just one piece of a larger vision that spans multiple mixed-use buildings with community amenities and nearly 2,000 homes, including supportive housing for New Yorkers transitioning out of homelessness.”

New York City Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick said, “Innovative Urban Village is a fantastic example of how smart planning can support families at every stage of life. Delivering income-restricted affordable housing alongside childcare, senior services, pedestrian-friendly streets, open space, and more, this future gem of East New York will serve as a model for vibrant neighborhoods across the city.”

New York City Housing Development Corporation President Eric Enderlin said, “HDC is proud to support this dynamic, multi-phased project that will provide much-needed affordable housing for low-income and formerly homeless New Yorkers. In addition to brand-new affordable homes, Innovative Urban Village will deliver commercial and community facility space that will benefit the broader East New York neighborhood for years to come. Congratulations to all our partners on reaching this latest milestone.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “New Yorkers deserve access to affordable, secure, and modern housing. This development will help revitalize Christian Cultural Center’s campus, deliver critical support services for our most vulnerable, and bring another much-needed grocery store to East New York. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have and will keep fighting for federal funding to expand affordable housing in our state and across the country.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “Here in America, when you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to afford the good life. At the center of that life is a safe, affordable place to live, but for far too many New Yorkers, that reality is out of reach. I’m grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul, Pastor AR Bernard and their development partners for breaking ground on the Innovative Urban Village in the Christian Cultural Center’s campus, which will provide safe, sustainable and affordable housing for hundreds of Brooklyn families that I am privileged to represent.”

State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud said, “The second construction phase of the Innovative Urban Village is a tremendous opportunity to provide more than four hundred affordable homes in East New York. This project not only helps address the housing deficiencies but also promotes equitable and sustainable living for our community for generations to come. I am excited for the future of our community.”

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, “When we build affordable housing alongside essential resources like access to fresh food, we’re investing in health, dignity, and opportunity. I applaud Governor Hochul and NYS Homes and Community Renewal for making this vision a reality in East New York and for setting a powerful example of what affordable housing looks like when it is rooted in community and equity.”

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis said, “Since taking office, I fought to ensure that our city would meaningfully partner with our clergy to bring much-needed affordable housing capital to Central Brooklyn. I have worked in lockstep with Reverend A.R. Bernard to advocate for this vision, and I applaud Governor Hochul and her administration for advancing this transformative project across the finish line to uplift the East New York community. I believe this project will provide opportunities for the next generation, and I look forward to seeing this visionary leadership, community partnership, and shared values project create lasting change for Brooklyn and our city.”

New York City Council Member Chris Banks said, “The Innovative Urban Village redevelopment project on the Christian Cultural Center campus is set to be a transformative investment in the 42nd Council District. I’m proud to partner on a project that delivers truly affordable housing. This is how we build and sustain neighborhoods for generations and how we begin to build Black and Brown generational wealth in real, tangible ways.”

Christian Cultural Center Senior Pastor Rev A. R. Bernard said, “It’s incredible to stand alongside each of the partners, elected officials and community members that worked together to make Innovative Urban Village a reality. We are confident that the ripple effects of this dynamic mixed-income community will be felt far beyond East New York, setting an example for all of New York to follow.”

Gotham Organization CEO David L. Picket said, “Today’s groundbreaking is a defining moment for Gotham and for the city my family has called home for over a century. Innovative Urban Village reflects our core values as a company—delivering high-quality housing that meets the needs of real New Yorkers while strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods. IUV is the result of vision, partnership, and perseverance, and we’re proud to work with our partners in bringing it to life. It’s a powerful example of what can happen when the public and private sectors come together with purpose.”

Gotham Organization President of Development Bryan Kelly said, “This moment is the result of years of dedicated collaboration with our partners, community leaders, and city agencies. We’re creating a neighborhood that prioritizes affordability, sustainability, and opportunity for all. At Gotham, we believe deeply in the power of thoughtfully planned development to uplift communities, and together with our partners and local stakeholders, have envisioned Innovative Urban Village to set a new standard for future housing developments. This is a meaningful step toward a more inclusive and equitable New York City.”

Monadnock Development President Kirk Goodrich said, “Innovative Urban Village is about Pastor Bernard, Gotham and Monadnock deciding to see people in need rather than simply housing units. Our collective focus is on transforming lives and communities. I am proud of what we are doing and excited to see the impact the completed vision will have.”

Urban Resource Institute CEO Nathaniel Fields said, “For over 40 years, Urban Resource Institute — the nation’s largest provider of shelter and support services — has been a leader in trauma-informed care for survivors of domestic violence and those facing housing insecurities. At the Innovative Urban Village, we are not just offering housing — we are delivering the full strength of our wraparound services to help residents heal and rebuild. From safety planning and legal advocacy to economic empowerment, we meet survivors where they are and walk with them toward lasting stability. This project is a bold step toward URI’s mission to end the cycles of violence, homelessness, and poverty — and creating a future where survivors don’t just survive but thrive.”

Practice for Architecture and Urbanism Founder and Creative Director Vishaan Chakrabarti said, “More than a decade in the making, this project has been a true labor of love. It’s about taking an underutilized urban space and creating an inclusive community that offers dignity, stability, and a sense of home for New Yorkers across a broad range of incomes. Seeing it come to life is deeply meaningful.”

Goldman Sachs Alternatives Urban Investment Group Chair Asahi Pompey said, “Goldman Sachs sees Innovative Urban Village as more than just bricks and mortar. Our investment is a down payment on East New York’s potential, creating thousands of high-quality, affordable homes and essential services that will fuel the economic vitality of the community.”

J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking Executive Director Jane Silverman said, “We are honored to be part of the Innovative Urban Village Phase 1B project, a transformative development that embodies the spirit of community and collaboration. This project is a testament to what can be achieved when the public and private sectors unite. At J.P. Morgan, our commitment to Brooklyn and its residents runs deep, and we’re proud to support the creation of affordable housing that will serve as the foundation for a thriving community in East New York.”

Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda
Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives, capital funding, and new protections for renters and homeowners. Building on this commitment, the FY26 Enacted Budget includes more than $1.5 billion in new State funding for housing, a Housing Access Voucher pilot program, and new policies to improve affordability for tenants and homebuyers. These measures complement the Governor’s five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan, included in the FY23 Enacted Budget, to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 60,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

The FY25 and FY26 Enacted Budgets also strengthened the Governor’s Pro-Housing Community Program — which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. Currently, more than 300 communities have received Pro-Housing certification, including the city of New York.

July 15, 2025

Albany, NY

Sources: Governor.ny.gov

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