Brooklyn council reviews Ocean Crest and Marcus Garvey Boulevard housing proposals

The Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises convened on June 5, 2025, to review significant land use applications, focusing on two key proposals aimed at enhancing affordable housing in New York City.

The first proposal discussed was the Ocean Crest project, which seeks an article 11 tax exemption for an 89-unit affordable homeownership development. Jesse Badis, representing the project, emphasized its importance for moderate and middle-income households. The project, previously approved by the city council in August 2023, is set to be financed under the Department of Housing Preservation and Development's (HPD) Open Door Program, allowing eligible sponsors to purchase land and construct affordable housing. The public hearing for this proposal concluded without any testimonies from the public, and the item was laid over for further consideration.

The second proposal involved the Marcus Garvey Boulevard project in Brooklyn, which aims to develop a 14-story affordable senior housing building in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. This proposal includes a zoning map amendment, a zoning text amendment, and a zoning special permit. The subcommittee opened the floor for public testimony on this matter, encouraging both in-person and remote participation.

These discussions reflect the city's ongoing efforts to address the pressing need for affordable housing, particularly for vulnerable populations such as seniors. The outcomes of these proposals will be crucial in shaping the future of housing accessibility in New York City.