The Rise: Affordable Housing for Formerly Incarcerated People in Brownsville, Brooklyn 

The Women’s Prison Association (WPA) has a long history of driving change to positively impact individuals, families, and communities affected by incarceration. WPA continues this critical work through The Rise, a residential facility located in Brooklyn, New York. Most of the building’s subsidized units are home to formerly incarcerated women and their families, creating a supportive, community-driven space for those impacted by the criminal legal system. The Rise takes a compassionate approach to reentry after incarceration and is a unique addition to the affordable housing available in Brooklyn.  

Every detail of The Rise’s development was planned with the future in mind. The building, which completed construction in 2024, is characterized by sustainability and a focus on healthy living—it has green spaces at numerous access points, including a rooftop farm, and lowers carbon emission through its very structure. The Rise centers on the community’s health, including its trauma-informed architectural design, characterized by its sun-soaked living areas, bright and airy rooms, green spaces, and connections to nature. 

Developed in Brownsville, Brooklyn, the project continues WPA’s longstanding work in Brownsville and East New York to meet the needs of women, families, and communities, reducing recidivism while addressing racial disparities and the interconnected needs of those in the community. At The Rise, those from the greater Brownsville community, a community that has experienced persistently high rates of incarceration and poverty have access to shared spaces and can receive onsite services and trauma-informed, wraparound case management through WPA and The Osborne Association. Supportive staff are dedicated to prioritizing the needs of justice-impacted families and the surrounding community at The Rise. 

Housing for Formerly Incarcerated People 

One of the most pressing issues people face when leaving jails or prisons is housing. Safe and stable housing provides formerly incarcerated people with: 

• Immediate stability and access to social services, mental health care, legal aid, and workplace development  

• Protection from returning to abusive or unsafe housing situations 

• A home address for parents so they can retain custody of their children 

• Childcare opportunities and extracurricular activities for families, as well as school support  

• An opportunity to avoid returning to a home where they engaged in or were surrounded by illegal activity 

Keeping justice-impacted people in safe, supportive homes is a pillar of WPA’s mission to support formerly incarcerated people in leading free and independent lives. 

WPA’s History of Housing Justice-Impacted Women and Girls 

The Rise is not WPA’s only experience with housing formerly incarcerated women. In 1845, the Women’s Prison Association opened the nation’s first transitional housing facility for women and girls leaving jail or prison, The Hopper Home, as a response to the growing prison population during the 19th century. This historic Manhattan townhouse operated until December 2020, providing women with transitional shelter, case management, work placement, and assistance in finding permanent housing.  

WPA currently operates the Sarah Powell Huntington House (SPHH), which opened in 1993. This East Village housing facility was created so parents could reunify with their children after incarceration. Now part of the City’s homeless shelter system, SPHH continues to provide on-site support to women and their families including case management, workforce development, mental health care, enrollment of children in school, and academic help as they seek permanent housing.  

The Rise will build on this important work of reducing recidivism and empowering formerly incarcerated women and their families, providing them with resources, support, and new opportunities. 

Creating The Rise 

The Rise was made possible by New York State’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative, which granted funding to projects that supply affordable housing to Brooklyn communities. Developed by Xenolith Partners LLC in partnership with WPA and Brownsville Partnership, along with the expertise of Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP), The Rise follows an all-inclusive, detail-oriented building plan that takes the needs of the residents, the surrounding community, and the environment into account. Due to the sustainability of The Rise, it won the 2021 NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence and Blue Ribbon for Design Excellence award for its climate-friendly design. 

Prioritizing Affordable Housing for Formerly Incarcerated People  

The Rise has 72 apartments, from studios to 2-bedrooms, which are allocated towards different needs. 37 units are available for formerly incarcerated women, 10 units are available for formerly incarcerated men, and the remaining 25 units are available for low-income households and residents with disabilities. 

This inclusive environment comes with many amenities for the residents, including a laundry room, a bike room, a computer room, a community room and kitchen, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and elevator access.

Stability and Services for Residents and the Brownsville Community 

Brownsville, Brooklyn needs and deserves resources and support to improve the quality of life for all residents. WPA staff not only serve the residents of the building but operate community-centered spaces and activities for all of Brownsville.  

On-Site Services 

Reducing recidivism is possible when providing a full spectrum of support services for those who need it most. The Women’s Prison Association and The Osborne Association staff offer on-site services such as wrap-around case management, job-readiness training and job placement, legal assistance, one-on-one counseling, support groups, and referrals to health care and mental health and substance abuse services. Staff encourage clients to set and reach personal goals, helping them access resources and opportunities and inspiring them to plan for a brighter future. 

These services are available for residents of the building and Brownsville community members.  

Community Spaces  

There are community spaces on the lower level of The Rise that are available to Brownsville community members as well as building residents, including a cardio physical room, a spin room, and locker rooms. Community events and get-togethers provide residents with opportunities to socialize and build connections with each other and the broader community. The only way forward is with each other, in a supportive and compassionate environment. 

Building for a Better Future 

The Rise was created for women and their families by women. Xenolith Partners is a female-led company that specializes in affordable housing development. Founding principals Andrea Kretchmer and Terri Belkas-Mitchell created Xenolith Partners to expand affordable housing, working on projects that promote social, economic, and health equity. The Rise reflects their commitment to creating homes that allow people to thrive.  

Trauma-Informed Architectural Design 

Housing insecurity itself is a trauma. The Rise reduces that burden with stable, supportive, subsidized housing for people in crisis. Additionally, The Rise is also able to benefit residents beyond securing a home—it prioritizes the mental wellbeing and health of those who live there. Using Active Design principles, The Rise adheres to trauma-informed architectural design that promotes healing and mindfulness around every corner. 

First and foremost, the architects at MAP wanted to make sure residents impacted by incarceration could live in an environment that did evoke a jail or a prison. Every space in the building is dignified – the entryway, hallways, apartments, and outdoor spaces. With several outdoor terraces throughout the building, largely informed by how dense populations needed outdoor spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic, residents have unrestricted access to nature, including benches and tables, native grasses, and roof top gardens.  

Trauma-informed design considers every detail to create a relaxing and enjoyable environment. Pleasing shades of green and brown decorate the building, and hallways with wood flooring create a natural warmth. The design of The Rise emphases natural light and sunshine, providing units with oversized windows that brighten every home. This trauma-informed structure reduces the feeling of confinement while promoting a connection to the outside world.  

Green Spaces and Connections to Nature 

The building’s dynamic approach to sustainability and green spaces includes a 10,000+ square foot rooftop farm, managed by Project EATS. This Brooklyn-based and female-led organization, founded by activist Linda Goode Bryant, runs agricultural operations across New York City to reduce food insecurity and cultivate community engagement, healthy living, and sustainable farming practices. 

Project EATS’ farm at The Rise creates high yields out of small plots. In thirteen different beds, Project EATS staff assist residents and work with them to grow vegetables and fruit. This hands-on project gives participants an exciting, goal-oriented activity that culminates in a harvest of nutritious food used in planted-based, community meals. Additionally, through a workforce development program, interested residents are employed to manage the farming operations.  

Project EATS is passionate about diminishing food insecurity within the Brownsville community and giving the residents of The Rise access to a roof that is abundant with nature.  

High Levels of Sustainability 

Working with Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP), Xenolith Partners created a building that is Passive House-certified with the funding provided by the NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence grant.  

There are many elements to the design that allow for such a high level of sustainability. Energy transfers are reduced on hot or cold days through implementations such as windows with high thermal performance and extra insulation on the exterior walls. The building’s roof has an array of solar panels to generate electricity, replacing the need for a generator. And all of these details pay off—The Rise is able to sustain itself during a power outage for several days and maintain the right temperature inside due to the heavily-insulated walls. 

WPA is honored to be a part of this comprehensive and empowering project. The Rise represents the pillars of WPA’s work since 1845, providing resources and opportunities for justice-impacted women and their families, collaborating with other changemakers, and inspiring hope for a limitless and fulfilling future. WPA has witnessed firsthand how impactful, progressive, and community-driven responses to incarceration and recidivism changes lives daily, and The Rise will be no exception. 

Looking to connect to The Rise? Click here.

Want to learn more about WPA’s programs and services? Click here.