Central Brooklyn contains some of the most vulnerable and underserved communities in New York State. The Vital Brooklyn Initiative is introducing a new model for community development and wellness, to empower New Yorkers in these neighborhoods to improve their overall wellbeing. VHB is working on several key projects within the Vital Brooklyn Initiative to reposition underutilized assets for affordable housing and related uses. We are partnering with major developers to provide civil engineering, transportation, environmental review, and agency coordination support services to help advance projects through the public review process.
The Vital Brooklyn Initiative was created in response to a study conducted by Northwell Health, called The Brooklyn Study: Reshaping the Future of Healthcare. Using the data collected, the community development program offers a holistic approach focused on eight integrated areas of improvement, including the expansion of open space and recreation, access to healthy food, community-based health care, and economic empowerment through skilled job training opportunities. One of the largest projects within the initiative is the Alafia, which will transform a 28-acre site into more than 2,400 units of affordable and supportive housing, 30,000 square feet of healthcare facilities, amenities, and new open space.
