A new affordable and supportive housing development, Shepherd-Glenmore, has been completed in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. The $61 million project offers 123 affordable apartments in a building constructed to LEED Gold standards. Located next to the Shepherd Avenue C train station, the development was led by Housing Plus and Spatial Equity.
“Shepherd-Glenmore marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide safe, affordable and supportive housing for all New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “This development transforms a once-dilapidated site into a vibrant, energy-efficient community, provides easy access to public transit, and offers critical supportive services to those who need it most. Through our $25 billion housing plan and partnerships with dedicated partners, we continue to make New York a more affordable and inclusive place of opportunity where people can thrive.”
The apartments are designated for households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income. Seventy-four units will have supportive services funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative and managed by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. These services include case management, crisis intervention, mental health support, employment resources, recreation opportunities, and referrals.
Eight apartments will be reserved for independent seniors under the New York City Affordable Independent Residence for Seniors Program. These residents will receive rental assistance through project-based vouchers provided by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR).
The site previously housed a junkyard that was demolished before construction began. As part of East New York’s rezoning requirements from New York City’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Program, 31 units will remain permanently affordable.
Shepherd-Glenmore includes features aimed at energy efficiency such as an on-site solar array and high-performance building standards. Residents have access to amenities including outdoor recreation space spanning 5,000 square feet, a community garden, security around-the-clock, fitness facilities, and wellness rooms.
Funding came from multiple sources: HCR’s state and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs contributed over $21 million in equity along with $24 million in subsidies; the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development added more than $13 million.
“Shepherd-Glenmore is a shining example of how partnerships between State and local government can create high-quality, affordable housing that uplifts communities. With 123 energy-efficient apartments, including 74 with supportive services for New Yorkers at-risk of homelessness, this development provides a stable foundation that will help its residents, particularly those most in need, succeed in the future. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, HCR is proud to advance projects like this that align with our commitment to creating and preserving 100,000 affordable homes statewide,” said RuthAnne Visnauskas Commissioner/CEO of NYS Homes and Community Renewal.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stated: “Safe and affordable housing should be accessible to all New Yorkers regardless of their background. Investing in high-quality and affordable housing is critical to ensuring the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers. I am proud that the Shepherd-Glenmore project supports our seniors and delivers real results for East New York. I will continue fighting for more funding that supports affordable housing projects like this one so all New Yorkers have access to the comfortable and safe homes they deserve.”
State Senator Julia Salazar commented: “New York City desperately needs more affordable housing, and so I applaud the completion of Shepherd-Glenmore here in Brooklyn. The new building has more than 120 affordable apartments, 74 of which will have supportive services for formerly homeless and those at-risk of homelessness. I look forward to the day New Yorkers can begin moving in.”
Karen Ford from HousingPlus said: “Permanent supportive housing ensures that families with significant barriers are able to obtain and maintain safety and stability. We are thankful to our state leadership including Governor Hochul and HCR for helping bring these supportive units to East New York.”
Teghvir Sethi from Spatial Equity added: “Shepherd Glenmore represents transformation: a derelict junkyard reimagined into LEED Gold housing for seniors families and individuals to build new lives in rent stabilized state-of-the-art homes. We are grateful to Governor Hochul HCR Mayor Adams HPD and Wells Fargo for their support of non-profit and MWBE developers joining the fight in the city’s housing crisis.”
Governor Hochul’s broader approach includes measures enacted through recent budgets aimed at increasing supply via tax incentives and funding programs focused on affordability improvements for tenants and homebuyers across New York State. Over $1.5 billion was included recently toward these efforts along with pilot voucher programs targeting vulnerable populations.
More than 60% progress has been made toward her five-year plan’s goal—creating or preserving over 100 thousand affordable homes statewide—and electrifying another fifty thousand dwellings as part of environmental upgrades supported by public policy initiatives.
