Nonprofit Doe Fund to add 104 affordable homes to Brooklyn: 'every unit counts'.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) – The Doe Fund, a nonprofit organization renowned for its Ready, Willing & Able program, is set to introduce 104 new affordable homes to Canarsie, Brooklyn.

This development, which will be located on Rockaway Avenue, is part of the organization's ongoing efforts to expand affordable and supportive housing.

The new development will provide 104 permanent and affordable housing units, with prices as low as 30% of the area's median income.

A grocery store will occupy the ground floor, enhancing residents' accessibility to essential services.

"Every unit counts. Having affordable housing and affordable housing with onsite supportive services is critical for this neighborhood. It's critical for all of New York," Christopher Luggiero, Vice President of Communications at the Doe Fund, said.

Residents of the Rockaway Avenue project can look forward to an array of amenities designed to enhance their living experience. These include community spaces, a bike lounge and bike room, laundry facilities, on-site supportive services, a live-in superintendent, and energy-efficient appliances.

A standout feature of the development is the supermarket on the ground floor, part of the city's Fresh initiative.

"We're gonna have a new supermarket provided by the city's Fresh initiative, which is all about providing affordable, healthy meals in low-income neighborhoods," Luggiero said.

The Doe Fund is working on five residences, including the Rockaway Avenue project, which will add up to 1,900 units. This expansion significantly enhances their portfolio of affordable housing, which already exceeds 1,100 units.

Luggiero explained that applicants must navigate the Housing Connect lottery system to secure these housing opportunities.

"For all of our units, just like most affordable housing in New York City, we go through the Housing Connect lottery." Typically, supportive units require referrals from city or state agencies.

Senator Roxanne Persaud, representing the district where this project is being built, underscored the critical need for such developments.

"We hear all the time that people are homeless and in desperate need of housing and support services because many people who have been homeless and come into housing don’t necessarily know how to work it out," Persaud said.