Construction kicks off on $237.9 million affordable housing project in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Construction recently began on a project to create 328 units of permanently affordable and supportive homes for low-income and formerly homeless populations in Brooklyn, N.Y. The $237.9 million Clarkson Estates affordable housing development will be home to youth aging out of foster care, formerly incarcerated individuals, formerly homeless young adults, and formerly homeless families.

The project by CAMBA Housing Ventures, Inc. (CHV) targets Passive House certification and will offer more than 30,000 sf of community facility space including a broad array of onsite supportive services and recreational opportunities as well as nearly 15,000 sf of parking.

Passive House project elevates affordable housing in Brooklyn

Clarkson Estates is part of New York’s $1.4 billion Vital Brooklyn initiative, a community development program targeting and investing in eight integrated areas including healthcare and housing. The program’s aim is to establish a new standard for addressing chronic economic and health disparities in Central Brooklyn’s underserved communities. The initiative will create 4,000 affordable homes.

Clarkson Estates will transform the site that was formerly owned by The Health Science Center at Brooklyn Foundation, Inc. and used as a parking lot for SUNY Downstate Medical Center. CHV’s focus is on co-locating housing and healthcare to combine affordable housing and community resources to address the socio-economic determinants of health. CHV’s proven model of supportive services, nearby healthcare and on-site amenities helps transition families from survival to stability and success. CHV will provide tailored case management. Onsite community resources are focused on supporting economic development and workforce training, youth development and violence prevention, adult education and financial literacy, access to healthy food, recreation, and health and wellness.

The project will offer a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units at 30%, 40%, 50%, and 70% area median income (AMI). Clarkson Estates will be a 9-story brick and metal panel contextual building and feature a double-height lobby at both the residential and community facility entrances with plentiful access to natural light throughout common spaces. Amenities will include free Wi-Fi in units, 24/7 front desk security to enhance safety, extensive landscaping including courtyards and rooftop terraces to encourage socializing, a teaching kitchen for nutrition workshops, children’s playroom, computer room, indoor fitness center, laundry on every floor, flexible community rooms, bike storage, live-in superintendent, and local art throughout the building.

On the Building Team:
Owner and/or developer: CAMBA Housing Ventures, Inc.
Architect of record, design architect: CetraRuddy
MEP engineer: Dagher Engineering 
Structural engineer: DeSimone Consulting Engineers
General contractor/construction manager: Bruno Frustaci Contracting