Via Brownstoner
An affordable housing lottery has opened for 93 newly constructed units in a nine-story building at 1336 Bedford Avenue in Crown Heights, also known as the Bedford Arms Apartments.
Of the affordable apartments, there are 59 one-bedroom units, 25 two-bedroom units and nine three-bedroom units. Monthly rents start at $590 and top out at $3,060.
The lottery is set at an area median income range of 40 percent for 10 of the units, 50 percent for nine of the units, 100 percent for 28 of the units and 165 percent for the remaining 46 units. Eligible incomes range between $22,800 and $204,270 for households of one to six people.
There will be 94 total units, according to building permits, which means that only one unit in the building is market rate. Although, in this context, many of the “affordable” units are near, or even above, comparable market rate rents in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Building permits also show that there will be 47 parking spaces for bicycles and storage in the cellar and a recreation area on the roof. On an adjacent lot, there will be four enclosed parking spaces and 19 open parking spaces.
A website for the building says that each of the units will have an air conditioner and dishwasher and that an exercise room will be located somewhere in the building.
Architect John Schimenti is the applicant of record. In Brooklyn, he is behind a large residential development at 1560 60th Street in Borough Park that is currently under construction, as well as a five-story rehabilitation center planned for 411 Van Brunt Street in Red Hook.
Michael Weiss of Long Island-based The Engel Burman Group is listed as the owner on building permits. This appears to be the company’s first project in Brooklyn. They purchased the lot for $5 million in 2017.
There was a zoning map amendment that went through the ULURP process and was approved in 2017. Previously the backyard of an apartment building, the site is located near Atlantic Avenue and across the street from the 23rd Regiment Armory at 1322 Bedford Avenue, used as a men’s shelter.
Applications for the affordable housing lottery must be submitted by September 13, 2019. Apply through NYC Housing Connect. To learn more about how to apply for affordable housing, read Brownstoner’s guide.