Brooklyn Library Comes With Affordable Housing

Combining affordable housing with a library reduced the cost of the project and gives residents access to essential resources.

1 minute read

November 17, 2023, 5:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Rendering of reconstructed Sunset Park library branch in Brooklyn, NY with housing above ground-floor library branch.

Brooklyn Public Library / Sunset Park Library

A new affordable housing development in Brooklyn is located above a public library branch, reports Kristin Toussaint in Fast Company. “This project, in the borough’s Sunset Park neighborhood, is the first of its kind in New York City—and also marks the first new affordable housing developed in Sunset Park in more than 20 years.” The project features 49 units of permanently affordable housing.

Combining the two projects allowed the city to save money on the library’s reconstruction and add to the city’s affordable housing stock. “Funding came in part from proceeds of another branch’s property sale, capital funding from the city, from offices of local elected officials including the borough president, a construction loan, and Low Income Housing Tax Credits that covered the residential portion.”

In addition to books and educational resources, libraries provide crucial free access to resources such as computers, job resources, homework assistance, and children’s programming. Linda Johnson, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Public Library, hopes that for the new residents, the branch will “be like their living room.”

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 in Fast Company

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

3 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

4 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

5 hours ago - Cities Today