The Rise, the latest winning proposal under the Vital Brooklyn Initiative has been approved. The new development will construct 68 affordable and supportive housing apartments on East New York Ave. in Brownsville.
The development is part of the governor’s $578 million commitment to create 4,000 units of affordable housing through the $1.4 billion initiative. It will be developed in partnership by Xenolith Partners, Community Preservation Corporation and Community Solutions International.
The East New York Ave. site, owned by One Brooklyn Health System, is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of East New York Ave. and Strauss St. in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. As part of the winning proposal, OBHS will house administrative offices on the ground floor of the building.
The Rise will feature 68 apartments including one superintendent’s unit. The project will be developed using trauma-informed design, including elements such as a mix of semi-enclosed and open spaces to support varying levels of social interactions, as well as the removal of harsh stimuli such as lighting and wall color.
“The Rise Team, including Xenolith Partners, Community Preservation Corporation, and Community Solutions, is excited to help create more affordable and supportive housing opportunities in Brownsville, particularly for justice-involved New Yorkers,” said Xenolith Partners Founding Principal Andrea Kretchmer.
“Our innovative service partner, the Women’s Prison Association (WPA), will use their 175 years of expertise to provide trauma-responsive programming and support services. The healthy environment, designed by Magnusson Architecture and Planning, will enable residents and neighbors to not just rise, but to thrive.”
On-site amenities will include two lounges, a community room, three laundry rooms, two resident outdoor terraces, and bicycle storage. Free Wi-Fi will also be provided throughout the building for residents and visitors.
The development will also include approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of green space for residents. Residents will have exclusive access to multiple outdoor terraces that include raised gardening beds.
Vital Brooklyn is a model for community development and wellness, breaking down barriers to health and wellbeing through eight integrated areas of investment: Open Space and Recreation; Healthy Food; Education; Economic Empowerment; Community-Based Violence Prevention; Community-Based Health Care; Affordable Housing; and Resiliency. This targeted initiative leverages State programs and resources to empower New Yorkers in Central Brooklyn to improve their wellbeing.
The $1.4 billion plan employs a comprehensive suite of resources funded through the State budget:
- Community-Based Health Care – $700 million capital investment
- Affordable Housing – $563 million
- Open Space and Other Programming – $140 million
