The East New York community on Friday celebrated the creation of hundreds of new affordable and supportive homes with the completion of Alafia Phase 1.
The $387 million mixed-use development includes 576 affordable homes, and is the first phase of a six-phase plan to redevelop the former Brooklyn Developmental Center campus into more than 2,400 affordable homes. The project is part of the state’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative, a large-scale community development program designed to address social, economic and health disparities in central Brooklyn.
“The Alafia development is a powerful example of how we can transform underutilized state-owned land to create vibrant, healthy communities,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “By combining affordable housing, supportive services, and high-quality health care in one sustainable development, we are delivering the type of holistic investments that central Brooklyn deserves."
Alafia Phase 1 integrates housing, health, and economic benefits for the surrounding community. The development expands access to preventative health care with a 15,000-square-foot One Brooklyn Health outpatient clinic that will provide primary and specialty care, blood-drawing and infusion services, an on-site laboratory, and a pharmacy.
The all-electric development incorporates a micro-grid, geothermal system for heating and cooling, rooftop solar, wastewater heat recovery systems, a green roof, urban farm, on-site composter, and Energy Star appliances. These features lwill help ower utility costs, reduce energy consumption, and improve indoor air quality, officials said.
There is also 7,800-square-feet of retail space for small local businesses including a supermarket, enhancing the community’s economy and access to fresh food.
All apartments are available to households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income, according to officials.
The development includes 132 supportive apartments reserved for eligible individuals with mental illness or individuals with developmental disabilities. On-site support services will be delivered by Services for the UnderServed, and will include care coordination, daily living skills training, health and wellness coaching, employment support, and community-based mental health services.
The development also includes units that are accessible and equipped for people with mobility impairments, as well as hearing and visual impairments.
The project is developed by L+M Development Partners, Apex Building Group and RiseBoro.
