2024 Community Impact Awards: Williamsburg Houses

Publication: New York Housing Conference

First built in the late-1930s and originally called Ten Eyck Houses, Williamsburg Houses is a 1,620-unit public housing complex in Brooklyn. Spanning four city megablocks and consisting of 20 residential buildings and one community center, the property was in desperate need of extensive repairs. Rehabilitation work included comprehensive upgrades to all apartments including repairs to kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces; the complete abatement of Lead-Based Paint in all units and residential common areas to HPD’s Lead-Free Standard, one of the City’s first developments to achieve this status; modernizing building facades, elevators, and heating systems; robust safety and security systems, including extensive camera systems and new building entrances with key fobs and intercom systems. Additionally, RDC enhanced building infrastructure with new roofing systems, complete plumbing replacement, improved energy efficiency, and free Wi-Fi access.  Renovations to the grounds included repairs to basketball courts, new playgrounds and exercise stations, new water features, and enhanced lighting and walkways. The comprehensive $490M preservation and historic rehabilitation was completed in October 2024.

Community Impact:
Williamsburg Houses is an official New York City Landmark (designated in 2003) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (as of 2021) as one of the earliest public housing developments in the United States. The extensive renovations—including preserving the historic aspects of the site—have comprehensively improved the property, championing the preservation of a permanently affordable community in the historic Williamsburg neighborhood and simultaneously providing necessary social services support and new property management. The historic rehabilitation of Williamsburg Houses utilized $142 million in state and federal historic tax credits, one of the nation’s most successful and cost-effective community revitalization tools.

St. Nicks Alliance and Grand Street Settlement, two local nonprofits with deep ties to the community and a commitment to serving New Yorkers, directly provide social services to all residents of the complex, including senior services, skills training and job placement programs, educational opportunities, and more. Furthermore, RDC instituted a scholarship program exclusively for high school residents who are looking to pursue secondary education.

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