Subcommittee hears HPD plan for 63 affordable co-op homes in East New York; public hearing laid over

The New York City Council Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Sighting, and Dispositions opened a public hearing on a Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) proposal to build 62 affordable cooperative apartments plus one superintendent’s unit in East New York, Brooklyn, and laid the item over for later consideration.

HPD presented the Lincoln Wortman project as a 21–building, three‑story development on Brooklyn Block 4531 comprised of approximately 63 affordable homeownership units (a mix of two‑ and three‑bedroom apartments) and 63 off‑street parking spaces. The agency said the sponsor is JNB Realty LLC with Restored Homes HDFC and that Shelter Rock Builders is the developer. HPD said the proposal seeks an amendment to a prior urban development action area project (UDAP) approval to allow three‑family buildings to be managed by a cooperative and an Article 11, 40‑year real property tax exemption to secure long‑term affordability.

HPD said the project sites are a mix of four formerly city‑owned lots and six privately owned lots within Community District 5 (City Council District 42), and that all units would be offered through HPD’s Housing Connect portal. HPD described green features planned to meet Enterprise Green Communities standards, including climate‑appropriate plantings, stormwater management, in‑unit water‑conserving fixtures and energy‑efficient appliances. HPD said the sales prices would range from about $275,000 to $320,000 and that qualifying incomes were approximately $101,000 to $117,000, reflecting units targeted to roughly 70%–80% of area median income (AMI). These affordability and pricing figures were presented by the applicant team.

Council Member Shaun Banks (40th District) voiced support for the project, calling it a "big win" and saying it advances homeownership opportunities in his district. "These homes will be marketed through HPD's Housing Connect 2, giving eligible families in our district a real shot at owning roots here, for the long term," Banks said. Banks also emphasized the inclusion of parking, saying parts of his district are "parking deserts" and that the planned 63 spaces were an important feature.

The applicant team noted commitments to meet HPD and MWBE hiring goals and to perform local outreach with community stakeholders and the council member’s office. The presentation identified the sponsor and development team members as JNB Realty LLC (sponsor), Restored Homes HDFC (marketing agent and temporary title holder during construction), Shelter Rock Builders (developer), Meltzer Bridal Architects (architect), Diana Reyna Strategies Consulting, Ari’s Consulting LLC, and MWB (state‑certified MWBE consultant).

No members of the public spoke on the item during the hearing. After questions and presentation, Chair Camilla Hanks closed the public hearing and the items for this project were laid over, meaning no final vote or action occurred at this meeting.

The subcommittee record indicates HPD will proceed through the Council’s land‑use review process and that further committee consideration is pending. Written testimony may be submitted to the Council’s land use testimony address for inclusion in the record.