Who We Are
Our Vision
Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC) envisions an equitable and just New York City where all people can live with dignity and respect in stable and thriving communities that are inclusive, healthy, and sustainable.
Our Mission
Fifth Avenue Committee’s mission is to advance economic, social, and racial justice in New York City through integrated, community-centered affordable housing, grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and transformative education, training, and services that build the power to shape our community’s future.
Our Story
In the late 1970s, South Brooklyn faced tough times. Decades of racist housing and economic policies, like redlining, had left many buildings empty and jobs scarce. But a diverse group of local residents saw hope. They believed in their community’s strength and decided to take action.
In 1978, these neighbors came together and formed Fifth Avenue Committee. Their first major project focused on redeveloping a rubble-strewn block that had stood vacant for over a decade.
The community’s vision was to build homes for first-time homebuyers and create a neighborhood supermarket. That vision became a reality through Park Slope Village and the former Park Slope 5th Avenue Key Food.
FAC’s founders were a diverse group – longtime residents, newcomers, people of different races and backgrounds. They shared a vision of a fair and just Brooklyn where everyone could thrive.
From day one, the Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC) rolled up its sleeves and made a difference:
• FAC volunteers cleaned up vacant lots and established community gardens.
• Staff renovated abandoned buildings, fought to keep rents affordable, and helped
local businesses stay open or establish themselves.
From these grassroots beginnings, Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC) grew into a powerful force for equity and justice. Since 1978, we’ve expanded from Park Slope to Gowanus, Red Hook, Sunset Park, always staying true to our founders’ vision of a fair and just Brooklyn.
Our Values
At Fifth Avenue Committee, we're guided by core values that shape everything we do:
Advocacy
We passionately advance racial and social justice for low and moderate-income New Yorkers.
Empowerment
We equip individuals and communities with tools, knowledge, and resources to be effective advocates for justice.
Collaboration
We recognize that social change happens when diverse stakeholders work together towards common goals.
Trust
We believe trust is the foundation Of strong communities and effective organizations.
Learning
We encourage continuous improvement and adapt to meet evolving community needs.
Joy
We believe that positive change and community building should be fulfilling and energizing experiences.
Our Impact
FAC’s work has touched thousands of lives across Brooklyn.
Here’s are some key examples of how our works has grown and made a difference:
- Housing: We’ve built or renovated over 1,400 affordable homes, giving thousands of families a safe place to live.
Build
We develop and maintain safe, affordable, and healthy housing, community facilities, and renewable energy so that people can stay in their communities and have the services they need to thrive.
Power
We foster community-driven power through organizing, advocacy, and leadership development.
Transform
We transform the lives of individuals and families through financial stability, asset building, education, and employment services.
In its first year, FAC begins organizing
1978
In its first year, FAC begins organizing
FAC launches campaign to prevent displacement of low and moderate income tenants
Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Women begins providing adult education
1984
Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Women begins providing adult education
Over the years, FAC and Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Women begin partnering to serve our neighboring communities
FAC Completes Park Slope Village
1984
FAC Completes Park Slope Village
Project includes 165 homeownership and rental units for moderate income families
Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) opens
1990
Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) opens
NHN, located in Sunset Park, provides education and counseling to homeowners and homebuyers
FAC organizes South Brooklyn Coalition to Save the Rent Laws
1993
FAC organizes South Brooklyn Coalition to Save the Rent Laws
400 tenants join together to push elected officials to protect tenants’ rights
FAC completes Fifth Avenue Corridor project
1996
FAC completes Fifth Avenue Corridor project
Project includes 39 units of affordable housing for low income families
Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Women merges with FAC
2003
FAC organizes janitors’ campaign for workplace rights
2003-2005
FAC organizes janitors’ campaign for workplace rights
Janitors who are routinely locked in their stores overnight win their court case, and passage of City Council legislation to increase fines for owners who engage in this practice.
FAC works with NYS elected officials on Community Stability Tax Credit legislation
2003-2007
FAC works with NYS elected officials on Community Stability Tax Credit legislation
FAC works with elected officials to reintroduce legislation to provide an incentive to landlords to rent to low income tenants at below market rate in non-rent stabilized buildings.
FAC co-convenes the Coalition for Asthma Free Homes
2006
FAC co-convenes the Coalition for Asthma Free Homes
The Coalition advocates for city legislation to improve housing conditions to foster better health for people with asthma, who are disproportionately low income and BIPOC.
FAC and Gowanus Green partners commit to housing affordability for the future
2007
FAC and Gowanus Green partners commit to housing affordability for the future
FAC and its development partners for the Gowanus Green project commit to permanent affordability for low and moderate income tenants, going beyond NYC requirements.
Brooklyn Workforce Innovations is created as a merger with FAC and Leap, Inc.
2007
FAC Completes Supportive Slope
2010
FAC Completes Supportive Slope
Project includes 49 units of affordable housing, including supportive housing for formerly homeless mentally ill single adults.
NHN becomes an affiliate of FAC
2011
FAC responds to Super Storm Sandy
2012
FAC responds to Super Storm Sandy
FAC responds to residents’ immediate needs, and engages neighbors in disaster preparedness planning.
FAC opens a Financial Opportunity Center
2015
FAC opens a Financial Opportunity Center
Program provides financial coaching to low and moderate income New Yorkers.
FAC launches Bridge program
2016
FAC launches Bridge program
Program provides English language instruction to prepare students to enter workforce development programs for careers in commercial driving and cable installation with FAC affiliate, BWI.
FAC convenes the Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice (GNCJ)
2017
FAC convenes the Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice (GNCJ)
GNCJ is a coalition which advocates for the city’s planned rezoning to include resources to improve the lives of low and moderate income Gowanus residents.
Coalition for Asthma Free Homes wins passage of NYC Council's Asthma Free Housing Act
2018
Coalition for Asthma Free Homes wins passage of NYC Council's Asthma Free Housing Act
The Act holds landlords accountable for removing asthma triggers from housing.
FAC responds to the COVID-19 crisis
2020
FAC responds to the COVID-19 crisis
FAC provides emergency food support and cash relief to local residents in need.
GNCJ wins historic victory in Gowanus rezoning
2021
GNCJ wins historic victory in Gowanus rezoning
City's commitment to over $200 million in neighborhood improvements, and the creation of the first-ever Community Oversight Task Force for a rezoning.
FAC commissions and contributes to NYC's racial equity report
2021
FAC commissions and contributes to NYC's racial equity report
The report is the first ever of a city sponsored rezoning, and finds that it is projected to reverse trends of gentrification and displacement.
FAC completes Northeastern Towers Annex
2022
FAC completes Northeastern Towers Annex
Project creates 159 units of affordable housing for low and moderate income seniors.
FAC completes Sunset Park Apartments and Library
2023
FAC completes Sunset Park Apartments and Library
Project creates 50 units of affordable housing for families, above a new branch of the Brooklyn Public Library.
FAC completes Sunset Ridge
2024
FAC completes Sunset Ridge
Project creates 83 units of affordable housing for low income seniors.
Be Part of Our Future
FAC continues to evolve, addressing new challenges in our community. From affordable housing to job training, from education to community organizing, we’re committed to making New York City a place where everyone can thrive.
Your involvement can make a difference.
Join us in building a more equitable Brooklyn and beyond. Together, we can create lasting change, just as our founders envisioned over four decades ago.
Ways To GiveFifth Avenue Committee (FAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing economic, social, and racial justice in Brooklyn and beyond since 1978.
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