A key milestone in New York City’s battle with homelessness unfolded in Brooklyn, as Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park joined various organizations to celebrate the arrival of 182 deeply affordable apartments at 2886 Atlantic Avenue.
This new housing, named The Atlantic, is Brooklyn’s first to come out of the Affordable Housing Services (AHS) program and is pivotal in the city’s ongoing mission to create lasting housing solutions for New Yorkers leaving shelters.
Innovative Housing Solutions
Brought to life through a partnership among the Institute for Community Living (ICL), Camber Property Group, and DSS, The Atlantic participates in the Affordable Housing Services initiative. This program utilizes CityFHEPS vouchers, enabling nonprofits to obtain and manage whole buildings as long-term affordable housing.
Currently, the AHS program has reached over 1,000 apartments awarded or active, 835 of which are already occupied, with more than 200 additional units set to open soon. Of those, about 150 are expected to be ready next year.
“Given the city’s historic shortage in available housing, we can’t stay the course,” said Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “Innovative approaches, like our Affordable Housing Service initiative, allow us to maximize our impact and speed the creation of urgently needed affordable homes.”
Responding to Community Needs
Currently, more than 13,000 families in shelters hold CityFHEPS vouchers but struggle to find available apartments amid the city’s tight rental market. The AHS model responds with entire buildings reserved as deeply affordable homes, protected by 30- or 9-year contracts to guarantee long-term tenant stability.
As property manager for The Atlantic, ICL leverages its four decades of expertise in supportive housing and behavioral health. “These attractive new homes represent the start of stability and opportunity for many,” said Jody Rudin, President and CEO of ICL. “For us, housing is the best medicine.”
Boosting Housing Opportunities
The Adams administration is dedicated to growing its housing portfolio through significant investments and zoning changes. The City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, a plan approved last year, sets a target of 80,000 new homes in 15 years with $24.5 billion allocated for capital projects.
The DSS continues wide collaboration with nonprofits including Riseboro, the Fortune Society, and VIP Community Services to bring the AHS approach to all five boroughs.
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