Eichenstein Hosts Assembly Housing Chair in Boro Park

Assembly Housing Chair Steven Cymbrowitz spent the day with Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein in the Boro Park portion of his district Monday, to address local housing concerns.

“The affordable housing situation in Borough Park and Midwood has become untenable,” said Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein. “There is a desperate need for additional units and more options for our district residents.”

Starting with a visit to the Culver El site, the first phase of a new 58-unit affordable housing project on 37th street under the sponsorship of Southern Brooklyn Community Organizations (SBCO), the Assembly members discussed the need for more affordable housing. Eichenstein’s district in particular suffers from a significant shortage of affordable housing options for its many growing families.

Following the stop at Culver El, prominent real-estate lawyer, Nachman Caller guided Assembly members Cymbrowitz and Eichenstein on a visit to the proposed development above the LIRR rail tracks that run through parts of Borough Park, along the lower 60th streets. Mr. Caller represents a group of developers that recently acquired the air rights from 14th Avenue to 16th Avenue to build housing units. At the urging of State Senator Simcha Felder, the MTA also recently requested proposals for the site’s air rights from 8th Avenue to Ft. Hamilton Parkway.

After the LIRR railroad visit, Assembly Members Cymbrowitz and Eichenstein visited the home of Ezra Friedlander, a local resident and community activist. Since most Borough Park and Midwood condominiums no longer qualify for the 421A tax abatements, Eichenstein felt it was important to illustrate to Housing Chair Cymbrowitz how a typical large family from the community works around space constraints. While most condominiums are classified as luxury, the size of the average family in the neighborhood necessitates a larger square footage and number of bedrooms to accommodate their family’s needs.

“It was a pleasure to join my colleague Assemblyman Eichenstein in visiting affordable housing sites in his district and discussing the renewal of the state’s rent regulation laws with landlords and other community stakeholders,” said Assemblyman Cymbrowitz. “I look forward to working with Assemblyman Eichenstein in addressing the challenge of preserving and creating affordable housing units for hardworking families and individuals.”

“It was an honor for me to host our Housing Chair Steven Cymbrowitz in my district,” said Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein “From day one, as a member of the Assembly’s Housing Committee, my priority has been to ensure that our community’s housing challenges are addressed in the conversations in Albany. With large families being the norm, our community faces its own unique issues.”