245 Clarkson Avenue

Organization Name: HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services (HSVS) & Alembic Community Development

Project Title: 245 Clarkson Avenue

Project Location: Prospect Lefferts Gardens / Brooklyn

Project Description:
HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services (HSVS) is partnering with Alembic Community Development to develop 135-units of affordable housing in the Lefferts-Prospect Park neighborhood in Brooklyn. 60% of the units are set aside for supportive housing and 40% are reserved for individuals and families earning under 80% AMI. The supportive population is a combination of young adults experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, and homeless families where the head of household has a serious mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder. HSVS will operate a Day Habilitation through OPWDD on the ground floor that will house social services specific to this population, including LGBTQ+ services, allowing housing and services to be in one location. The project is designed as an all-electric, resilient building incorporating sustainability features – including a geothermal system for heating, cooling, and domestic hot water – to reduce energy consumption, improve thermal comfort and building longevity, and enhance resilience during extreme weather.

Community Impact:
245 Clarkson Avenue aims to provide affordable and stable housing to young adults and families in Brooklyn and empowers them to successfully manage their health and wellness, live independently with connection to community resources, and reach their fullest potential. The project represents a significant milestone for HSVS as 245 Clarkson Avenue is their first development as a mission-driven affordable housing developer. The project was conceived as a strategic expansion beyond emergency, transitional, and scattered-site housing services toward the creation and long-term stewardship of permanent housing. In doing so, HSVS is putting its Housing First approach into permanent, place-based practice and to become a long-term affordable and supportive housing provider. The emphasis on sustainability in the building’s design, primarily through its geothermal system, also represents a significant sustainability feature for a supportive and affordable housing development. By investing in sustainable infrastructure, the 245 Clarkson Avenue supports healthier, more comfortable homes and advances the long-term affordability and durability of housing for New York City communities.

Organization Description:
HSVS is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit social service provider helping vulnerable young people and their families thrive in all boroughs of NYC. HSVS empowers 8,000+ individuals annually to overcome challenges of homelessness, family crises, addiction, mental illness, and poverty. Alembic Community Development builds equitable partnerships that bring impactful investments to underserved neighborhoods through real estate development and capacity building. To date, Alembic has developed 2,120+ units of affordable and supportive housing across 29 projects.

Team Members:

HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services (HSVS), Alembic Community Development, ESKW/Architects, Mega Contracting Group, ZBF Geothermal, Lisa Management, Strada Ventures LLC