NYC officials partner with nonprofit to build modular affordable housing

In a local partnership of the New York Housing Preservation and Development office, Brooklyn-based FullStack Modular, developer Thorobird, architect Think! Architecture and Design, and nonprofit group Bangladeshi American Community Development and Youth Services (BACDYS) are building more than 160 affordable housing units in New York City.

The 167-unit project is the result of the city seeking proposals for development on the Grant Avenue Municipal lot in East New York, Brooklyn. The development includes studios, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom affordable homes. The housing units are for extremely-low, very-low, low-income, and formerly homeless households. The project also includes a community space, a new medical clinic, and services for homeless people.

In a city pinched with high rents and low availability of affordable rental units, the development will help many families.

"Affordable housing is greatly needed in Brooklyn. The number of low-income individuals and families who are unable to make ends meet or even have a place to call home is unacceptable," said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. "I commend the Department of Housing Preservation and Development's efforts in tackling this dire issue and look forward to the completion of the 167 units which will become home to the neediest members of our community."

Manufacturing of the modular units will be done by Brooklyn-based FullStack Modular; the proximity of the manufacturer will speed progress on the project.

The Real Estate Roundtable, a group including major real estate firms such as Brookfield Properties, Blackstone, Empire State Realty Trust, Starwood Capital, as well as multiple major banks and CRE professional organizations, recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden on the implications of remote work within the federal government.

Multifamily Housing | Jan 9, 2023

New York City advances plan to build 500,000 new housing units

After New York Mayor Eric Adams announced a “Moonshot” plan to build 500,000 new housing units over the next 10 years in early December, he moved quickly to jumpstart the process.

1930 Broadway in New York City, where Glenwood Management first installed CarbonQuest's system. Photo courtesy CarbonQuest

Sustainability | Jan 9, 2023

Innovative solutions emerge to address New York’s new greenhouse gas law

New York City’s Local Law 97, an ambitious climate plan that includes fines for owners of large buildings that don’t significantly reduce carbon emissions, has spawned innovations to address the law’s provisions.

Fire and Life Safety | Jan 9, 2023

Why lithium-ion batteries pose fire safety concerns for buildings

Lithium-ion batteries have become the dominant technology in phones, laptops, scooters, electric bikes, electric vehicles, and large-scale battery energy storage facilities. Here’s what you need to know about the fire safety concerns they pose for building owners and occupants.

Multifamily Housing | Dec 29, 2022

San Jose is largest U.S. city to abolish minimum parking for new housing

San Jose, Calif., recently became the largest U.S. city to strike down minimum parking requirements for new housing development. The city reversed zoning devised in the 1950s that reputedly gave it the worst sprawl of parking space in northern California.

Codes and Standards | Dec 29, 2022

New York City multifamily owners concerned over fires caused by e-bikes

In 2022, there have been nearly 200 fires and six deaths in New York City caused by lithium-ion batteries used in mobility devices such as electric bikes and scooters.