BY: NICHOLAS GUMBS
Rent continues to rise in East Flatbush, Brooklyn causing long time residents unable to afford their homes. Tenants in East Flatbush are paying higher monthly rents while living in buildings with mold, leaks, and lack of basic repairs. While developers continue to create affordable housing options in East Flatbush many are questioning if working class families can remain.
East Flatbush is characterized by its Caribbean influence, small businesses, and family roots. Residents are Caribbean immigrants or descendants who have been living in East Flatbush for generations. While East Flatbush is known for being family-friendly, increasing rent and cost of living prices are challenging working class families.
According to New York University Furman Center, the median monthly rent in East Flatbush has risen more than 15% since 2022. One third of renter households were paying over half their income on rent, which leaves little left over for groceries, transportation, utilities, and childcare.
Patricia Sullivan, a longtime resident of Rutland Plaza, spoke to News 12 Brooklyn back in July 2025 about a rent increase despite ongoing maintenance problems. “I was paying $1,665 and all of a sudden, [the Amistad Management Corporation] raised it up to $2,335,” Sullivan told News 12. The increase totaled $670 monthly, or approximately $8,040 annually. Sullivan and other tenants also complained about mold, poor ventilation, and security concerns.
Housing stability is another concern. In February 2026, the website Documented reported that Jennifer Prince, a 65 year old immigrant from Guyana, feared losing her rent stabilized apartment after living there for 24 years. Prince alleged that her landlord refused to accept rent payments in an effort to remove her.
Meanwhile, new affordable housing developments are coming to the neighborhood, including Utica Crescent with 322 apartments and the first phase of Sparrow Square with 261. Both offer housing for households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income, with some apartments set aside for lower income residents.
As reported in PIX11 News on April 15, 2026, some Utica Crescent apartments have monthly rents between $739 and $1,051 with annual income requirements ranging from $25,500 to $56,400. Rents vary based on income, raising concerns about whether longtime residents with very low or fixed incomes can afford these apartments.
Brooklyn Community Board 17 identified affordable housing as a priority in its Fiscal Year 2027 district needs statement, emphasizing rising rents, aging buildings, and displacement prevention.
Housing affordability involves more than building new apartments. It also means maintaining existing homes and helping residents remain financially stable. As East Flatbush continues to develop, the question remains whether the neighborhood can grow while providing affordable housing for the families who have called it home for generations.