FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2025
Urban Resource Institute Breaks Ground on Innovative Urban Village in East New York
Transformative Development to Deliver Nearly 100 Apartments and Support Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence
[Brooklyn, NY — Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness—especially for women and children. Today, Urban Resource Institute (URI), the nation’s largest provider of shelter and support services for survivors of domestic violence, joined faith leaders, elected officials, and development partners to break ground on Innovative Urban Village (IUV) in East New York—a bold, multi-phase project that will deliver not only affordable housing, but also the critical wraparound services needed to break cycles of violence, poverty, and housing insecurity.
Led by Reverend A.R. Bernard and the Christian Cultural Center (CCC), in partnership with Gotham Organization and Monadnock Development, Innovative Urban Village will bring nearly 2,000 affordable homes and community resources to one of Brooklyn’s most underserved neighborhoods. Today’s groundbreaking celebrates the launch of the first 800 units—including 94 apartments reserved for survivors of domestic violence, who will be supported on-site by URI’s trauma-informed care teams.
“This project is deeply personal for me,” said Nathaniel Fields, CEO of Urban Resource Institute. “I grew up just blocks from here and have seen both the hardship and the hope that defines this community. Projects like this are how we move from surviving to thriving—by building not just housing, but pathways to safety, dignity, and opportunity.”
At the Innovative Urban Village, URI will provide survivors with a full range of on-site services, including:
- Safety planning and crisis response
- Legal advocacy
- Economic empowerment and job readiness
- Life skills development
The groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Reverend A.R. Bernard, and partners Bryan Kelly (Gotham Organization) and Kirk Goodrich (Monadnock Development). Additional speakers included State Senator Roxanne Persaud, Assemblymember Nikki Lucas, Council Members Chris Banks and Farah Louis, and Brooklyn Deputy Borough President Kim Council—all underscoring the project significance to the East New York Community and the city as a whole.
“This is the kind of public-private partnership that changes lives,” Fields added. “As the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter and support, URI works with more than 40,000 individuals annually. But we know shelter alone isn’t enough. Safe housing must come with access to services that help survivors heal, rebuild, and break free from cycles of abuse and instability.”
The statistics remain urgent:
- In 2023, intimate partner homicides rose by 29% across NYC—with Black women disproportionately impacted.
- The NYPD responds to over 250,000 domestic incident reports each year.
- NYC’s domestic violence hotline receives up to 100,000 calls annually.
Innovative Urban Village addresses these challenges head-on by integrating affordable housing with holistic care, creating a scalable model for inclusive, community-rooted development. The project reflects what’s possible when faith, government, nonprofit, and private sector leaders come together with a shared purpose: to uplift communities and create lasting change.
About Urban Resource Institute (URI):
Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness. Urban Resource Institute (URI) is the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter and support services, and a leading provider for families experiencing housing insecurity—serving more than 40,000 individuals annually. Through trauma-informed programs that include emergency housing, legal advocacy, mental health care, economic empowerment, and prevention education, URI is working to end cycles of violence, poverty, and homelessness across New York City and beyond. Learn more at urinyc.org
