NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced plans for another new affordable housing development, Clarkson Estates in Flatbush, which is part of the $1.4 billion Vital Brooklyn initiative.
The 291-unit development is part of Cuomo's pledge to create 4,000 units of affordable housing in central Brooklyn.
"As the pandemic creates significant hardships for New Yorkers, it's more important than ever that we expand access to safe, affordable housing during these difficult times," Cuomo said in a statement. "This project is going to result in nearly 300 new affordable and supportive housing units that will help hundreds of our friends and neighbors in Central Brooklyn, and the State will continue to find ways to support the New Yorkers who need it most as we address the unprecedented challenges of today."
Half of the apartments at Clarkson Estates, 146 units, will be set aside for youth aging out of foster care, formerly incarcerated individuals, and formerly homeless young adults.
Vital Brooklyn initiative targets and invests in eight integrated areas, from health care to housing, establishing "a new standard for addressing chronic economic and racial disparities in Brooklyn's high-need communities," according to Cuomo's office.
The on-site supportive services offered by CAMBA Housing Ventures will be supplemented by an extensive network of benefits available to the larger community in the development's 30,000-square-foot "HUB". Many of the Community HUB's facilities will be open to the public and help encourage community engagement.
Resources available at the HUB include:
Childcare services;
Health screening center;
Small business services incubator and workforce training;
Violence prevention and mediation center;
Youth education and development center;
Technology training center that includes adult education and financial literacy classes;
Recording and rehearsal studio, and performance space;
Full-sized basketball court for general community use and access, competitive basketball leagues, and community events;
Food pantry and café; and
Design studio and exhibition space
