71 affordable apartments available at Passive House development in Bed-Stuy, from $556/month
652 DeKalb Avenue. Credit: NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
A new residential development in Bed-Stuy launched a housing lottery this week for 71 affordable apartments. Dekalb Commons is a three-building complex with 85 affordable residences and commercial space, designed to meet Passive House standards. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 60, 70, and 80 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, priced from $556/month studios to $2,974/month three bedrooms.
Developed in partnership by the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and St. Nicks Alliance and designed by Magnusson Architecture & Planning (MAP), Dekalb Commons consists of three buildings on city-owned sites: 639 DeKalb Avenue, 652 DeKalb Avenue, and 1187 Fulton Street.
Built to achieve Passive House certification, the sustainable development incorporates the most effective strategies for near net-zero operational energy, on-site energy generation, material-based carbon reduction, full electrification, and decarbonization, along with tools for efficient management, healthy living, and resiliency, according to MAP.
The buildings share similar massing but use inverted color palettes to create a “mid-block focal point” and add visual interest to the streetscape. Modest setbacks allow for landscaped entrances and a planted buffer in front of the ground-floor apartments.
Landscaped rear yards provide space for both passive and active recreation and are visible from the street through the building, reinforcing a connection between the community, the architecture, and nature. This concept is further highlighted by spacious green roofs with deep soil, allowing for taller plants.
Amenities include a shared community room at 652 DeKalb Avenue, free building-wide Wi-Fi, bicycle storage, rear outdoor seating areas, and security cameras.
Nearby public transit options include the G subway line and several bus routes.
The project broke ground in July 2023, according to St. Nicks Alliance.
Qualifying New Yorkers can apply for the apartments until June 9, 2025. Complete details on how to apply are available here. Preference for 20 percent of the units will be given to residents of Brooklyn Community District 3.
Questions regarding this offer must be referred to NYC’s Housing Connect department by dialing 311.
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