Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan Aims to Tackle Housing Affordability Crisis in Brooklyn

Local officials presented an overview of the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan during a recent City Planning Commission meeting, addressing concerns regarding housing affordability in Brooklyn. The plan focuses on creating new affordable housing units while preserving existing ones, responding to the struggles residents face amid rising costs and a housing shortage.

City representatives outlined their strategies to ensure affordability, primarily through a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) policy. This policy mandates that between 20% and 30% of residential units in new, higher-density developments will be rent-stabilized and income-restricted. For example, the most common MIH option ensures 25% of units remain affordable at an average of 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), which would equal around $81,000 for a family of three in 2024 (Source: https://youtu.be/mqSYOEY_fUw&t=6260).

In addition to the MIH, officials noted the city’s commitment to developing more deeply affordable housing units on public sites. Plans currently include various city-owned locations, where initiatives may yield up to 100% affordable housing. One flagship project is designed specifically for elderly residents, offering homes for those earning up to 50% of AMI, emphasizing the prioritization of deeply affordable units in the community (Source: https://youtu.be/mqSYOEY_fUw&t=6348).

Tenant protection initiatives also form a critical part of the strategy to maintain affordability. The city has allocated $3 million to combat landlord harassment and support tenant organizing through programs like Partners in Preservation. Furthermore, an additional $7 million has been restored for legal services to assist tenants facing eviction or housing violations (Source: https://youtu.be/mqSYOEY_fUw&t=8662).

Despite these measures, community members voiced concerns regarding the adequacy of the proposals. Some argued that the outlined plans might not sufficiently address the actual needs of those earning below 50% of AMI, citing the pressing demand for affordable options in the area. Local leaders insisted that further investments are necessary to enhance the project’s goals and asked for a thorough examination of all potential city-owned sites for deeply affordable housing development (Source: https://youtu.be/mqSYOEY_fUw&t=9481).

In response to the criticisms, city officials confirmed their commitment to ongoing dialogue with the community. They underscored the importance of further feedback as the project evolves and noted their intention to explore deeper affordability options that could benefit a broader spectrum of income levels (Source: https://youtu.be/mqSYOEY_fUw&t=7828).

The Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan aims to balance the urgent need for housing with the goal of preserving community character, emphasizing the pivotal role of extensive community engagement in shaping development strategies that effectively address local needs (Source: https://getlocalpost.com/2024/12/16/brooklyns-housing-crisis-city-planning-commission-reviews-affordable-housing-initiatives/).