The Arker Companies, in partnership with New York Empire State Development and the state Department of Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), yesterday cut the ribbon on the first phase of The Fountains in East New York.
The six-building, 1,163 unit, 100% affordable housing development is geared towards to low-income residents.
Phase one has 332 total apartments for those making up to $61,440 for a family of three. The buildings include 94 units set aside for those living with disabilities in partnership with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and on-site service provided by the Block Institute.
“We have made an unprecedented commitment to address the lack of affordable housing in every corner of New York, but especially in Brooklyn, where the financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has been severe,” said Governor Cuomo. “Our aggressive approach to building new developments like The Fountains will provide high-quality, energy-efficient homes and supportive services to those who need them most as we continue to come back from this crisis.”
“I applaud the announcement of the phase one completion at “The Fountains” bringing affordable housing to the residents of my Senatorial District,” said State Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City).
“This much needed and anticipated project, especially now during these unprecedented times, is a welcoming addition to my constituency where affordable housing options are critical to New Yorkers and their families. New Yorkers deserve to have a place they can proudly call their home and I commend the private/public partnership between the Arker Companies, Empire State Development and Homes and Community Renewal to successfully bring this first phase to fruition and strive to improve the lives of residents of Southeast Brooklyn.”
HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said the 332 households in Phase One will benefit from supportive services, recreation space, nearby public transportation and many other important amenities for families.
When complete, The Fountains will be a modern and active mixed-use and mixed-income neighborhood with more than 1,100 homes. We thank our many partners on this project for their remarkable efforts completing Phase One and we look forward to celebrating the completion of all six buildings,” she said.
Cuomo first announced The Fountains in 2017 as part of a large-scale masterplan to bring much-needed affordable housing for low-income households, during a time where so many people are struggling to pay rent and find affordable housing options.
The development sits on just under seven acres of land and will ultimately include deep affordability as well middle-income affordable units along with supportive services for seniors and residents with special needs and include commercial and retail space. Of the total 1,163 residential units planned, 1,078 are slated to be affordable for those making up to 60% AMI.
Building one, 11629 Seaview Avenue, opened in April and was able to successfully move all residents in during the pandemic demonstrating the importance of keeping affordable housing moving forward during the statewide shutdown.
The second building, 911 Erskine Street, began moving residents in June after receiving over 58,000 applications through the Housing Connect lottery, run by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. The final four buildings of The Fountains aim to open by the end of the year.
