A new $75 million housing complex, where 88 of apartments are reserved for formerly homeless people and families, has opened in Brownsville.
Edwin's Place was officially opened on Tuesday, July 27, bringing 125 new apartments to Brooklyn residents in need.
The supportive housing complex will predominantly cater to formerly homeless people and families, including veterans, and includes a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.
There is 3,000 square feet of retail space along the developing Livonia Avenue retail corridor that is occupied by the nonprofit Power of Two, which works with young parents. On-site social services are offered to all residents in the building, which will be funded by a contract between the African American Planning Commission Inc. and New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The eight-story complex features insulated walls; triple-glazed windows; a green roof; and a roof-top photovoltaic solar array - all contributing to reduced energy use.
It will have a 24-hour attended lobby, security systems, a laundry room, fitness room and a multipurpose room for tenant and community events, along with a sunken courtyard to provide various outdoor amenities and natural lighting.
Breaking Ground developed the building in a partnership with African American Planning Commission Inc.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said Edwin's Place was an example of what the state was doing to increase quality, affordable housing across Brooklyn's neighborhoods.
"Our ongoing fight to end homelessness and housing insecurity means investing in high-quality supportive developments like this that benefit both residents and the entire community," he said.
"Our most vulnerable New Yorkers deserve to have a safe, decent and affordable place to call home, as well as access to the vital services they need."
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said despite the decades of disinvestment and myriad challenges Brownsville has weathered, "there is still so much in Brownsville that makes me optimistic about its future for true community-driven revitalization."
"Projects like Edwin's Place are a case in point; this beautiful new development will provide state-of-the-art housing and amenities to a diverse community, with a particular and much-needed focus on serving formerly homeless individuals and families."
He said the project would also help advance the shared mission of providing quality early childhood development resources to underserved areas of our borough.
