Affordable Housing
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我们是谁

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

第五大道委员会的使命是通过以社区为中心的综合性经济适用住房、基层组织、政策倡导以及变革性教育、培训和服务来增强纽约市的经济、社会和种族正义,从而增强塑造社区未来的力量。

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.

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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.

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Our Values

At Fifth Avenue Committee, we're guided by core values that shape everything we do:

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Advocacy

We passionately advance racial and social justice for low and moderate-income New Yorkers.

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Empowerment

We equip individuals and communities with tools, knowledge, and resources to be effective advocates for justice.

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Collaboration

We recognize that social change happens when diverse stakeholders work together towards common goals.

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Trust

We believe trust is the foundation Of strong communities and effective organizations.

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Learning

We encourage continuous improvement and adapt to meet evolving community needs.

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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 keg 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
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

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 organizes South Brooklyn Coalition to Save the Rent Laws

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 39 low income families

Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Women merges with FAC
2003
Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Women merges with FAC

FAC Organizes Janitors Locked In Their Stores Overnight
2003-2005
FAC organizes janitors locked in their stores overnight to win their court case

FAC Worked to Reintroduce the Community Stability Tax Credit
2003-2007
FAC Worked to Reintroduce the Community Stability Tax Credit

FAC worked with state elected officials to reintroduce the Community Stability Tax Credit legislation

FAC Co-Convenes the Coalition for Asthma Free Homes
2006
FAC Co-Convenes the Coalition for Asthma Free Homes

Gowanus Green Project
2007
Gowanus Green Project

FAC and partners for Gowanus Green project are first to commit to permanent affordability

Brooklyn Workforce Innovations Merged with FAC and Leap, Inc.
2007
Brooklyn Workforce Innovations Merged with FAC and Leap, Inc.

FAC Completes Supportive Slope
2010
FAC Completes Supportive Slope

FAC completes Supportive Slope, providing 49 units of affordable housing

NHN Becomes a FAC Affiliate
2011
NHN Becomes a FAC Affiliate

FAC Responds to Super Storm Sandy
2012
FAC Responds to Super Storm Sandy

FAC opens a Financial Opportunity Center
2015
FAC opens a Financial Opportunity Center

FAC launches Bridge program
2016
FAC launches Bridge program

FAC convenes the Gowans Neighborhood Coalition for Justice
2017
FAC convenes the Gowans Neighborhood Coalition for Justice

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 responded 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 improvements

FAC Ever Racial Equity Report of a City Sponsored Neighborhood Rezoning
2021
FAC 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 Ridge
2024
FAC Completes Sunset Ridge

FAC completes Sunset Ridge (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.

Get Involved Now