320 Sterling Street

bg217

Hey there,

I applied for the affordable housing they are offering at 320 Sterling Street. I know nothing about the neighborhood and was hoping I could get some insights here. The building sure has some interesting history (http://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/13/nyregion/found-in-contempt-landlord-begins-a-term-in-his-building.html?pagewanted=all) but it seems to be on the right path now.

What are people's thoughts on the area? Or know anything about the specific development and/or the organization coordinating? (NHS?) I haven't gone to visit yet, but looking at the map, I like how close it is to the subway.

Thanks for any thoughts and help!!


b

FYI: http://www.nhsnyc.org/en/find-a-home/affordable-homes-marketed-by-nhs/150-320-sterling-street-brooklyn-crown-heights

pwaltman_1972

The standard reply to questions like this is to drop by the neighborhood, and see how comfortable you feel.

You should definitely do that, regardless of what anyone says, but that street and section of Prospect Heights are so gentrified at this point, your main problem will (or would) be rent increases (which shouldn't be a problem with the affordable housing you've gotten). Beyond that, I suspect your main problem on that street will be proximity to services, like super markets & laundry, the closest of which, I think, will be a few blocks away on Vanderbilt.

mdgately

N.B., bg217 is asking about 320 Sterling Street; I don't think there is a 320 Sterling Place, but indeed that would be in Prospect Heights.

bg217

Right! Crown Heights. Or, the edge of PLG if I am to believe Wikipedia. I know the best way to know about the neighborhood is to visit, but just wanted to gather some thoughts first. Will visit soon. And report back if anyone is interested.

ridonkulous

Yeah, you're looking for Sterling Street. Google puts it right at the intersection with Nostrand, near Empire Blvd.

ticcer

I also applied for the 320 Sterling Street Cooperative one bedroom apartments. I already live in the neighborhood and know what it's like over on Sterling & Nostrand. BUT, I think something very fishy is going on with the application process.

I (along with my co-applicant) was picked from the lottery (deadline of February 13, 2010) as a current member of Community Board who gets first crack at applying for the co-ops. I went to an orientation meeting after receiving a call inviting me to that orientation and also a letter that my lottery application had been received, logged and I would received further information within a week. That was almost a month ago. I keep calling the Neighborhood Housing Services of East Flatbush and the person who answers the phone says applications are already being reviewed and I get transferred to the 320 Sterling program coordinator who never returns my calls or answers my emails.

If applications are already being reviewed, I am wondering why I have not been invited to meet with a financial/housing counselor at NHS as a precursor to submitting my application. There is no reason for me not being contacted, I have the money for a downpayment, interest in the community, etc.

whynot_31

Ticcer-

I believe affordable housing coops are handled by either HPD or DHCR. ...you may want to give them a call to learn the status of this project if you are not getting answers from the developer directly.

...I was unaware that members of community boards get a preference for new affordable housing being built. Interesting.

won't ub my nabor

I don't think that members of the community board get preference - it's residents who live within the community board.

ticcer

Won't UB My Nabor wrote: I don't think that members of the community board get preference - it's residents who live within the community board.

Yes, my bad typing, members of the Community Board 9 neighborhood get preference. Not the actual members of the Community Board.

ticcer

Subject: Process @ 320 Sterling Street

I finally got an appointment at Neighborhood Housing Services of East Flatbush about this property. But, it was only after I called and called and called and demanded to come in even though I received a letter they sent out only to those who were picked from the original lottery stating I would be contacted and brought in for an application review. (I think the application process is still open.)

I still think something fishy is going on with the 320 Sterling Street Coops...

bg217

I got called for my interview, too. I get the sense they're a little overwhelmed over there -- had some calls of mine not returned too. Now to just gather all of that financial info...

ticcer

I was told they are not going to be ready to sell until October, so plenty of time to plan, save more dinero and clean up credit!

lisajank123

I've heard that there is now movement on this co-op. A lot can happen in a year. I've driven by several times and there seems to be a lot of action on the corner of Nostrand and Sterling...lots of idle kids. Any new thoughts about the neighborhood? Is it really considered PLG?

bobmarvin

"Is it really considered PLG?"

Yes

ticcer

Just wondered if anyone has heard about or bought into 320 Sterling Street coops. I understand they are still available and I also understand there is STILL something extremely fishy going on. I won a place in the initial lottery years ago, went to several meetings, including credit counseling and community meetings. I sent emails, called and called and still am not being paid attention to. I had a high priority lottery number and am being totally ignored by east Flatbush Neighborhood Housing Services and Mr. Rodney Grierson, who is in charge of 320 Sterling.

whynot_31

Oct 2:

The affordable units are presently taking applications for their lottery, on a rolling basis:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/downloads/pdf/320-Sterling-Street.pdf

Good luck.