Nostrand Houses begins $607 million NYCHA modernization
The $607 million modernization of Nostrand Houses in Brooklyn has reached financial closing.
The financial closing for the $607 million modernization of Nostrand Houses was completed on September 29. This marks the first project to reach this milestone through New York City's Public Housing Preservation Trust, enabling a full renovation of the Sheepshead Bay development. The project will fully rehabilitate 1,148 apartments across 16 residential buildings, serving approximately 2,000 residents.
Key upgrades and modernizations
Every kitchen and bathroom will be renovated down to the wall structure with new finishes and plumbing components. Apartments will receive new quartz countertops and durable, scratch-resistant flooring. Energy-efficient double-pane windows and new window heat pump systems for living spaces are included.
All 16 buildings will receive comprehensive upgrades to electrical wiring, plumbing systems, and heating and domestic hot water infrastructure. Renovated units will be remediated for lead and mold hazards, with mold-resistant materials and paint finishes incorporated. The work also includes new intercom systems and dedicated laundry hookups.
Accessibility and safety improvements
Significant investments will improve accessibility and security. All 16 buildings will receive new elevators. A total of 81 apartments will be upgraded for residents with mobility needs, while 48 will be adapted for those with visual or hearing impairments.
Security improvements include upgraded access-control systems and expanded CCTV coverage. An on-site security guard will be present, and a new on-site property management office with more than 40 staff members will be established.
Trust model and resident involvement
Nostrand Houses residents voted in December 2023 to become the first NYCHA development to join the Public Housing Preservation Trust. This model allows the property to access more flexible federal funding than traditional government-owned public housing, while the development remains 100 percent public and continues to be managed by NYCHA. Residents' rights, including permanently affordable rents, are preserved.
The Trust was created by legislation sponsored by State Senator Julia Salazar and then-Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz. It seeks to unlock billions in federal funding for NYCHA developments and is part of the city administration's Block by Block plan, which includes a historic $5.6 billion capital investment in public housing.
Support services and community impact
Selected with resident input, Kings Bay Y will provide on-site social service programs. These include case management, crisis intervention, and workforce development programs. Also, the Trust will contribute $100 annually to NYC Scholarship Accounts for children living at Nostrand Houses through high school graduation.
The September 29 financial closing involved partners from public, private, and labor sectors.
