What you should know
- Innovative Urban Village reaches two major milestones, with construction topping out on the next phase, bringing 453 additional homes and a child care facility
More photos and renderings available HERE
NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Governor Kathy Hochul, Gotham Organization, Christian Cultural Center (CCC) and Monadnock Development celebrated two major milestones at Innovative Urban Village (IUV), an affordable housing development on CCC’s campus in East New York, Brooklyn. Leaders cut the ribbon on the project’s first phase, delivering 386 permanently affordable homes, and marked the topping out of the next phase, which will add 453 affordable homes and a child care facility.
When complete, IUV will bring nearly 2,000 permanently affordable homes across 10 buildings to East New York, alongside child care, community programming, workforce development, a performing arts center, neighborhood retail and approximately three acres of publicly accessible open space. New streets and pedestrian routes will connect the development to the surrounding community.
“Every New Yorker deserves a safe, stable and affordable place to call home. Today, 386 homes are opening their doors in East New York, and construction is moving forward on hundreds more,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Innovative Urban Village shows what we can accomplish when we build housing alongside the resources families need to thrive. We will keep building on this investment, creating and preserving affordable homes at the scale that New Yorkers need across the five boroughs.”
“Today, we’re celebrating a huge milestone for the East New York community — a place where generations of New Yorkers will be able to live and flourish as a result of bold choices and a grand vision for New York’s future,” said Governor Hochul. “Innovative Urban Village has the potential to transform lives by not only providing housing to hardworking families, but also ensuring access essential services and amenities including on-site child care, accessible grocery stores, exciting programming and career support right in their community. With today’s announcement, we are not just cutting the ribbon on a beautiful new building. We are answering a prayer for hundreds of New Yorkers.”
“This project shows what is possible when leaders are dedicated to delivering the affordable housing that our communities need. Today’s ribbon-cutting is an exciting milestone for East New York, the Christian Cultural Center, Gotham, Monadnock and the entire city. I’m grateful for their dedication to this work and the collaboration of City and State agencies to make this a reality and look forward to seeing the full project come to fruition as a part of our citywide work to deliver the housing relief that New Yorkers deserve,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.
“Today, we are opening the doors to more than a building; we are delivering the first piece of a community shaped by years of partnership with Reverend Bernard, Christian Cultural Center and the residents of East New York,” said Bryan Kelly, President at Gotham Organization. “Phase 1A demonstrates what is possible when housing, community amenities and programming, and neighborhood resources are planned together. With Phase 1B now topped out, we are also celebrating the momentum behind the next 453 homes and childcare facility that will continue bringing the broader Innovative Urban Village vision to life.”
“Innovative Urban Village grew from a belief that housing should be connected to the full range of resources people and families need to thrive,” said Reverend A.R. Bernard, Founder and Senior Pastor of Christian Cultural Center. “This ribbon cutting turns that belief into a lived reality for hundreds of New Yorkers. It is a powerful moment for East New York, and an important step toward the inclusive, sustainable community our partners and neighbors have envisioned together.”
IUV advances the Mamdani and Hochul administrations’ affordable housing goals. In May, the Mamdani administration released Block by Block: The Housing Plan for A New Era, its “all-of-the-above” approach to the city’s housing crisis. The plan calls for creating 200,000 new affordable homes and preserving another 200,000 over the next decade, backed by $22 billion in affordable housing capital over five years. It also commits to holding negligent landlords accountable, investing in public housing and homeownership and accelerating affordable housing development.
Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) has created or preserved more than 12,000 affordable homes in Brooklyn. Innovative Urban Village continues this effort and is part of the Governor’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.
A sustainable, connected community
Designed by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) and SLCE Architects, Phase 1A incorporates all-electric heating and cooling, solar panels, green roofs with drought-resistant vegetation, electric-vehicle charging stations, low-flow fixtures, LED lighting and ENERGY STAR appliances.
CCC selected Gotham Organization as its development partner in 2018 following a competitive request for proposals. The partners spent five years working with residents, community organizations and City leaders. The project received full land-use approvals in 2022.
Phase 1A was developed with support from Goldman Sachs Alternatives’ Urban Investment Group, New York State Homes and Community Renewal through the New York State Housing Finance Agency, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, along with other public and private partners.
Phase 1B is being developed with support from JPMorgan Chase, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, Red Stone Equity Partners and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
In June 2026, the development team filed plans for Phase 2, which is expected to add 599 permanently affordable homes across three buildings, including 206 senior apartments, as well as a community facility, community-centric retail space and the development’s central publicly accessible quad.
“I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which I worked to protect and expand, will help generate $115 million to build 385 new affordable homes in East New York, Brooklyn. Innovative Urban Village will also include a child care facility and apartments reserved for survivors of domestic violence and individuals who have experienced homelessness, building on the legacy of service that defines this community. I commend Governor Hochul for her commitment to creating and preserving affordable housing across New York, and I thank the Christian Cultural Center family and Pastor Bernard for their partnership in making this development possible on the CCC campus. I will continue fighting for the federal resources needed to make more projects like this a reality,” said Senator Charles Schumer.
“Every family deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I applaud the progress at Innovative Urban Village, which will bring much-needed affordable housing units to East New York and help revitalize the Brooklyn community. I will keep fighting to bring more federal resources to New York State to increase our affordable housing supply and ensure all New Yorkers have a safe and supportive place to call home,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
“When you work hard and play by the rules, you deserve to live an affordable life, a comfortable life and a good life. That means a good-paying job, good healthcare, a good education for your children and good, safe, affordable housing. I’m grateful to Pastor A.R. Bernard, Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and all of their development partners for their work to bring the first phases of the transformative Innovative Urban Village to life so that more Brooklynites can afford to stay in our city and live the good life,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
“I am thrilled to be part of the official ribbon cutting at the Innovative Urban Village, which upon completion will offer 2000 affordable homes. In a time when New Yorkers are struggling to afford necessities like housing, this campus equipped with supportive services is a huge step forward. Innovative Urban Village is one part of the solution to solve the city's housing crisis, and I am proud to stand beside other elected officials, developers and everyone who made this affordable housing vision a reality in East New York,” said State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud.
“The Innovative Urban Village represents growth, opportunity, and a significant investment in the future of East New York. Today, we celebrate the completion of 385 permanently affordable apartments, marking an important milestone toward delivering nearly 2,000 affordable homes and apartments to our community. This development will help ensure that families who have built their lives in East New York can continue to live, work, and thrive here. I commend Governor Hochul, my colleagues in government, Reverend A.R. Bernard and the leadership of the Christian Cultural Center for their continued commitment to making this vision a reality,” said Assemblymember Nikki Lucas.
“Innovative Urban Village is a landmark development that will deliver thousands of new permanently affordable homes to East New York. With investments in community infrastructure including new parks, grocery stores, health care facilities, and culture spaces, Innovative Urban Village is a project that thinks holistically about East New Yorkers and their needs. I am thrilled to mark this milestone, and I thank Governor Hochul and all the partners for helping bring Innovative Urban Village to life,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
“The Innovative Urban Village (IUV) represents an important step toward addressing the housing crisis and meeting the needs of families throughout the 42nd Council District. I want to recognize Pastor A.R. Bernard and the Christian Cultural Center for their vision and commitment to bringing this project to our community, along with the team at Monadnock Construction. With housing costs continuing to rise, we need developments that provide working families, seniors, and longtime residents with a meaningful opportunity to remain in the neighborhoods they call home. Projects like IUV demonstrate the importance of creating housing opportunities that support affordability, strengthen communities and help residents build a more secure future. IUV also serves as a model for future housing developments across the district, demonstrating what can be accomplished when government, community leaders, faith-based institutions, and development partners work together toward a shared goal of expanding housing opportunities and addressing the needs of local residents,” said New York City Councilmember Chris Banks.
“Innovative Urban Village is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together. Today we’re not just opening doors to 385 new affordable homes — we’re celebrating a community‑driven vision becoming reality. With hundreds more homes on the way with resources that people need, this project is delivering affordability, opportunity and a brighter future for East New York. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, the Christian Cultural Center, Gotham Organization, Monadnock Development and all of our public and private partners for their shared commitment to making New York more affordable. We look forward to welcoming even more residents home as Innovative Urban Village continues to grow,” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas.
“Addressing housing affordability requires investment not only in homes, but also in the broader resources that help communities thrive,” said David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs. “Innovative Urban Village is a powerful example of how a shared commitment to opportunity can contribute to the long-term growth of East New York. Goldman Sachs is proud to support this transformative development and celebrate this important milestone alongside our partners.”
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