Our History

The Carroll Gardens Association was formed as a strong grassroots neighborhood organization that organized in the 1960’s.  It was incorporated in May of 1971, as a not-for-profit organization chartered by the State of New York, to assist the disadvantaged and to create a spirit of community participation and comradeship by making the interests of one the interest of all.

During this time, the Association focused on the environmental degradation of the Gowanus Canal and its environment. An aggressive campaign to leverage public funds was undertaken. $378 million was allocated to construct the Red Hook Interceptor Sewer Treatment Project and an additional $100 million was allocated to repair and replace the mechanical systems. These investments have in turn created substantial environmental, economic development, and social benefits in the Gowanus area.

The Carroll Gardens Association, Inc. (CGA) was designated by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal as a Neighborhood Preservation Company (NPC) for Red Hook and the Columbia Street District, portions of Southwest Brooklyn. The Neighborhood Preservation Program consists of approximately 190 corporations throughout the State that engage in neighborhood preservation activities.

In the early 70’s, we worked very closely with our fraternal not-for-profit, the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corp. (GCCDC). We were able to capture a Section 202 Grant from HUD, to finance the new construction of 101 housing units for low-income elderly. Thus, St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Senior Housing located in Carroll Gardens was developed. St. Mary’s provides much needed housing for our very low-income elderly residents; we developed The Doehler Dye property at 505 Court Street, in Carroll Gardens, which produced 126 moderate-income units; and our latest completed development, the Schoolhouse Project, which created 90+units of affordable housing in a converted parochial school in Carroll Gardens geared to the moderate income group.

In addition to the New York State Division of Housing (DHCR), CGA has been the recipient of two John Heinz Neighborhood Demonstration Program Awards totaling $125,000 from the Division of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). CGA has also received funding from the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), and the NYS Department of State (NYSDOS). Collaborative work with other non-profits and community groups includes projects with the Enterprise Community Partners (formerly known as the Enterprise Foundation), National Equity Fund, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Puerto Rican Coalition, the Statewide Hispanic Corporation, ANHD, and Gowanus Canal CDC.