500-Unit Brownsville Affordable Housing Complex Reaches Final Stages

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN — A massive affordable housing development in Brownsville has reached its final stages.

The Ebenezer Plaza project — which will bring more than 500 affordable apartments along New Lots Avenue — broke ground this week on its final phase of construction, a 208-unit complex on Christopher Street.

When completed, the complex will mark the final step in the $364 million project, which officials have worked on since at least 2014 as a way to address Brownsville's housing crisis.

“This is another 100% affordable housing project coming to our community at a time when affordable housing is so desperately needed," Councilmember Charles Barron said at the groundbreaking on Sunday.

So far, developers have built 315 of the 523 apartments in Ebenezer Plaza.

The project — led by the Church of God of East Flatbush and Brisa Builders — will also include 25,000 square feet of retail space, a new home for the church and a 40,000 square foot community space, according to the plans.

Applications have been open for some of the already-completed apartments since last year.

The units are split between several income levels, ranging from 30 to 80 percent of the area median income. At the 30-percent level, applicants can make as little as $14,915 per year to apply for a studio.

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