Spotlight on Housing Affordability: Community Survey Results

Housing Tenure

Coney Island is 73% renter occupied compared to 69% in Brooklyn and 67% in NYC.

Renters as a Percent of all Households by Census Tract

Rent Burden

58% of renters are rent burdened (>30%) in Coney Island compared to 49% in Brooklyn and NYC, as illustrated in the map below. Several thousand renting households are severely rent burdened, spending at least half of their total household income on housing related costs.

Rent Burdened Households by Census Tract (Paying 30% or more of income)

Total Number of Renting Households, by Census Tract, Experiencing a Severe Housing Burden (50% or more of income)

Additional Housing-Related Statistics


Preliminary Survey Results:

  • 53% reported that “Housing is not affordable”

  • 61% agreed that Coney Island needs more affordable housing

  • 71% reported that Housing is not well-maintained, comfortable, or safe

  • 71% Disagree with development of market-rate/luxury housing (55% strongly disagree)

  • 63% agree that There aren’t programs to help if at risk of losing housing

  • 40% reported that Purchasing a home does not feel attainable

    Desired Housing Improvements from Survey

  • Affordable housing (rent and own) (12)

  • Middle income

  • Maintenance & Cleanliness (9)

  • Safety (8) 

  • More police for public housing

  • Housing Conditions

  • No new developments (2)

  • Larger units (lack of 3-br)

  • More units

  • Increasing ownership

  • Luxury apartments with preference for those already living in the area