The first phase of the affordable housing lottery at the Bedford Union Armory complex was launched this week as the long-debated project nears completion.
The apartment building adjoining the Major Owens Health and Wellness Community Center will contain 415 units — 250 of which will be earmarked as below-market-rate. The first phase of the lottery will offer space in 60 affordable units.
“We are excited to launch phase 1 of the affordable housing lottery in building 2 of the Bedford Union Armory,” said Joseph Ferrara of BFC Partners, the developer behind the project. “At a time when central Brooklyn is struggling to recover from the pandemic these 60 deeply affordable units will provide substantial opportunity to our neighbors.”
The 60 apartments will be made available to New Yorkers with an income starting at $14,778, and 50 percent will be set aside for residents of Community Board 9 in Crown Heights and Prospect Lefferts Gardens, while 5 percent will be set aside for city employees.
According to the developer, tenants of affordable units will have access to amenities including bike storage areas and a multi-purpose room.
The development on Union Street near Bedford Avenue was the source of a lengthy and contentious land use process led by community activists who charged that the project should have been completely affordable because it is on city-owned land. City Councilmember Laurie Cumbo opposed the project initially but ended up approving it with a number of market-rate units, which are intended to support the adjoining community center through the revenues they generate.
The community center is set to open this September with the apartments set to come on line later this year.
Details on the affordable housing lottery, as well as applications, are available here.
