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
Click on each date to learn more!
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.
FAC Launches Campaign to Prevent Displacement of Low and Moderate Income Tenants
1978
Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Women begins providing adult education
1984
FAC Completes Park Slope Village
1984
FAC Completes Park Slope Village
FAC completes Park Slope Village, with 165 homeownership and rental units for moderate income families
Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) Opens
1990
Neighbors Helping
Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) opens, providing education and counseling to homeowners and homebuyers
FAC organizes South Brooklyn Coalition to Save the Rent Laws
1993
FAC Completes Fifth Avenue Corridor Project
1996
FAC Completes Fifth Avenue Corridor Project
FAC completes Fifth Avenue Corridor project, including 39 units of affordable housing for low income families
Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Women merges with FAC
2003
FAC Organizes Janitors Locked In Their Stores Overnight
2003-2005
FAC Works to Reintroduce the Community Stability Tax Credit
2003-2007
FAC Works to Reintroduce the Community Stability Tax Credit
FAC works with state elected officials to reintroduce the Community Stability Tax Credit legislation
FAC Co-Convenes the Coalition for Asthma Free Homes
2006
Gowanus Green Project
2007
Gowanus Green Project
FAC and partners for Gowanus Green project are first to commit to permanent affordability
Brooklyn Workforce Innovations is created as a merger with FAC and Leap, Inc
2007
FAC Completes Supportive Slope
2010
FAC Completes Supportive Slope
FAC completes Supportive Slope, providing 49 units of affordable housing
NHN becomes an affiliate of FAC
2011
FAC Responds to Super Storm Sandy
2012
FAC opens a Financial Opportunity Center
2015
FAC launches Bridge program
2016
FAC convenes the Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice (GNCJ)
2017
Passage of the NYC Council's Asthma Free Housing Act
2018
Passage of the NYC Council's Asthma Free Housing Act
Coalition for Asthma Free Homes wins passage of NYC Council's Asthma Free Housing Act
FAC Responded to the COVID-19 Crisis
2020
FAC Responded to the COVID-19 Crisis
FAC responds to the COVID-19 crisis with emergency food support and cash relief
GNCJ Wins Historic Victory and the First-Ever Community-Controlled Oversight Task Force
2021
GNCJ Wins Historic Victory and the First-Ever Community-Controlled Oversight Task Force
GNCJ wins historic victory with City's commitment to over $200 million in neighborhood improvements
FAC First Ever Racial Equity Report of a City Sponsored Neighborhood Rezoning
2021
FAC First Ever Racial Equity Report of a City Sponsored Neighborhood Rezoning
FAC commissions and contributes to NYC's first ever racial equity report
FAC completes Northeastern Towers Annex
2022
FAC completes Northeastern Towers Annex
FAC completes Northeastern Towers Annex, creating 159 units of affordable housing
FAC completes Sunset Park Apartments and Library
2023
FAC completes Sunset Park Apartments and Library
FAC completes Sunset Park Apartments and Library, creating 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
FAC completes Sunset Ridge, creating 83 units of affordable housing for 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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