About Us

We are beacon of hope& progress in Central Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Neighborhood Improvement Association (BNIA) is a beacon of hope and progress in Central Brooklyn, dedicated to empowering low- and moderate-income residents. From Prospect Heights to Crown Heights and Ocean Hill/Brownsville, we’ve spent decades building stronger communities through affordable housing and opportunity. With over 603 units developed—including transformative projects like Kianga House and BNIA/Stuyvesant Houses—we’re proud to create homes where families, veterans, and individuals can thrive. Our journey began with a simple mission: to ensure everyone has a place to call home. Since opening Kianga House in 1988, which has placed over 600 families into permanent housing, we’ve expanded our reach with innovative projects and youth programs. At BNIA, we don’t just build housing—we cultivate stability, equity, and a brighter future for Central Brooklyn.

Our Mission

At BNIA, we’re committed to building stronger neighborhoods through leadership development, community participation, and innovative housing solutions. Our goal is to ensure every resident has access to safe, affordable homes and the resources they need to thrive.

Our Vision

We envision a Brooklyn where every individual and family has a place to call home. By combining affordable housing development with community-driven initiatives, we’re creating neighborhoods that reflect the resilience, diversity, and spirit of Central Brooklyn.

Our History

The Brooklyn Neighborhood Improvement Association (BNIA) was born from a commitment to tackle Brooklyn’s housing challenges. Starting with Kianga House in 1988, we’ve grown to deliver over 603 units of affordable housing and launched youth programs to empower our community. Today,

Our Impact

Over 1,000 individuals and numerous building owners and tenant associations annually seek BNIA’s counseling and organizing services. BNIA’s housing counseling and organizing unit conduct several workshops during the year. BNIA played a major role in the 1982 ousting of “Tedco” who owned five buildings in the neighborhood from the community. Tedco was known for his tenant abuse. BNIA conducts 7 major housing counseling and organizing programs which are funded by the following agencies:

US Housing & Urban Development (HUD) – 203k Program. BNIA has gut-rehabilitating 3 buildings for the first time homebuyers. The properties are (a) 1572 St. Marks Avenue already sold to community residents, (b) 423 Saratoga Avenue, sold to community business man and (c) 2195 Bergen Street, Brooklyn which is still available for sale.

NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development BNIA is currently working on 4 buildings (21 units) for rental – NIA HDFC Inc. Phase 2 located at 96 Brooklyn Avenue, 177 Rogers Avenue, 295a Bainbridge Street and 233 Ralph Avenue, Brooklyn – under the Third Party Transfer program. Aspire Houses Phase 1 (2 buildings, 11 units) was completed in 2008.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR)/NPP Under the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP), BNIA receives funding for community activities. The core activities focus on: assisting tenants and landlords with housing issues, mitigating homelessness by preventing evictions and displacement; providing homeownership programs and identifying housing programs

New York State Division & Community Renewal (DHCR)/HTF. BNIA is funded under NYS Housing Trust Fund Foreclosure Prevention Program to provide foreclosure intervention and prevention program to community residents in Brooklyn, NY. About 600 homeowners have been served under the New York State Division & Community Renewal

NYS SonnyMae/NFMC. BNIA works with Neighborworks Foreclosure Mitigation Counsel and NYS SonnyMae to provide foreclosure intervention and prevention program to community residents of New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties. About 700 homeowners have benefitted from this program

New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD) He Community Consultant Contract provides the opportunity for BNIA to conduct anti-abandonment activities. These entail surveying properties for disrepair and neglect and the facilitation of ‘voluntary repair agreements’ between the landlord and HPD for repairs in order to reduce the potential for blighted and abandoned properties.

NIA Development

In 1983 BNIA set about to assess its role in the community and to develop long range plans for its future development. In 1984, a neighborhood survey funded by the New York Community Trust led to the planning and establishment of NIA Development. NIA Development is an economic development project of BNIA which seeks to counter balance the housing counseling and community organizing activities with physical development and maintenance of housing. NIA Development has developed various housing projects resulting in over 603 units of affordable housing which include the following:

About Us

We are beacon of hope& progress in Central Brooklyn

Our Impact

NIA Development

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