On May 1, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated the completion of The Rise, a new affordable and supportive housing development in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The project is located on “Site J” of New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative, a community development initiative for Central Brooklyn that aims to address local social, economic, and health disparities.
The seven-story building has 71 units, and includes 47 supportive units. Apartments are available for households up to 60 percent area median income. Units of various sizes are available from studios to three-bedroom apartments. The building is all-electric, and includes solar panels for on-site energy generation and a Variant Refrigerant Flow heating and cooling system.
As part of the Vital Brooklyn program, the Rise will also host programming for residents and local members of the community on topics like health, women’s empowerment, and conflict resolution. The building’s rooftop features a farm for residents and community members to participate in food cultivation programming and workforce development training in farming.
The supportive units are reserved for formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. Supportive services include trauma-informed case management, mental health, substance use services, life skills training, and employment and education services.
The Rise project cost $50 million and is supported by the New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s state’s Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program, the Supportive Housing Opportunity Program, the Low-Income Housing Trust Fund, and Federal Housing Trust Fund, among other financial support.
Governor Hochul stated, “Individuals and families in Brownsville deserve access to housing they can afford and the services that provide the support they need to thrive. The Rise builds on our commitment to Central Brooklyn and will provide affordable housing opportunities, social services, and the types of amenities that can strengthen the entire community.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas stated, “This $50 million investment represents an important step in our Vital Brooklyn Initiative. It brings 71 new affordable homes to Brownsville and will provide support for eligible tenants. Importantly, The Rise makes community development a priority through its programming and activities available for residents and the entire neighborhood. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for continuing to invest in this important initiative and the ongoing support of our partners in Brooklyn for ensuring this development came to life.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the Editor of CityLand and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)