The Basement Conversion Program is a three-year demonstration program to facilitate the creation and renovation of apartments in the basements and cellars of certain one- and two-family homes in Brooklyn. The City will allow for the creation of new apartments in the designated area through the modification of existing Housing Maintenance Code, Fire Code and Construction Code standards, coupled with existing allowances for home conversions and the allocation of funds to assist with these renovations. The financing component, will provide low-interest financing to qualified homeowners to assist in the creation of habitable basement apartments.
The basement conversion pilot program was a commitment made under the East New York Neighborhood Plan, and is the result of a study conducted by a working group convened in October, 2016.