BROOKLYN, NY — New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that construction is officially underway on Innovative Urban Village Phase 1A, the first part of a multi-phase effort that will transform the Christian Cultural Center’s campus in East New York into nearly 2,000 new affordable homes and community amenities.

The $270 million Phase 1A will deliver 385 affordable apartments, a new grocery store offering fresh produce, and on-site supportive services for residents, including households struggling with homelessness.

“New York remains committed to keeping our state affordable and ensuring everyone has a safe and modern home to call their own,” Governor Hochul said. “This project is helping us fight the housing affordability crisis while also prioritizing improvements that will make the neighborhood more livable for families. Innovative Urban Village would not have been possible without the cooperation of all our partners, including Mayor Adams and the Christian Cultural Center, who are dedicated to making New York a more affordable place to live. We look forward to the project’s completion and to welcoming residents home.”

All apartments in Phase 1A will be reserved for households earning 30–80% of Area Median Income, with 94 supportive housing units offering case management, legal aid, nutritional assistance, and other wraparound services on site.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams praised the groundbreaking: “The best way to tackle our city’s housing crisis is to build more affordable housing, and that is exactly what our administration is doing. 'Innovative Urban Village' will bring more homes, more jobs, and more joy to Brooklyn, while giving more New Yorkers access to a brighter future in this vibrant community.”

Designed with sustainability in mind, the new buildings will feature all-electric systems, solar panels, green roofs, EV charging stations, and energy-efficient appliances. New pedestrian-friendly streets and three acres of public open space will knit the project back into the surrounding neighborhood, while future phases will add childcare, senior services, a performing arts center, and more.

The multi-phase vision — a partnership among the Christian Cultural Center, Gotham Organization, Monadnock Development, and nonprofit service provider Urban Resource Institute — received zoning approval and broad local support. Funding includes Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, city grants, the Brownfield Cleanup Program, and support from Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan’s community banking programs.

Local and national leaders echoed the project’s promise:

• Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called it “critical support services for our most vulnerable, and another much-needed grocery store to East New York.”
• House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said “I’m grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul, Pastor AR Bernard and their development partners for breaking ground… which will provide safe, sustainable and affordable housing for hundreds of Brooklyn families.”
• Rev. A.R. Bernard, Senior Pastor of Christian Cultural Center, said “The ripple effects of this dynamic mixed-income community will be felt far beyond East New York, setting an example for all of New York to follow.”

Governor Hochul’s housing agenda — including the $25 billion five-year Housing Plan — has already financed more than 7,700 affordable homes in Brooklyn alone and aims to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide. The new Urban Village is a flagship of the “City of Yes” plan, part of a wave of new zoning and funding measures to expand housing supply from Coney Island to Inwood.

When fully built, Innovative Urban Village will stand as one of Brooklyn’s largest affordable housing communities — combining modern homes, supportive services, local retail, and new community facilities to build an inclusive, resilient future for East New York families.

Originally reported by HCR New York Govt.