Sheepshead Bay Houses are located within Brooklyn’s Sheepshead Bay and are accessed by Avenue W, Nostrand Avenue, and Bragg Street. The 18-building development was constructed in 1950 and accommodates approximately 2,800 tenants. Like most of the post-World War II public housing developments constructed, the Sheepshead Bay Houses were to provide working-class families with affordable housing enclaves since the city was expanding vastly. The intricate incorporated green space and playing spaces into the plan, according to the vision of mid-twentieth century city public housing of bringing suburban-like conditions into the inner city.
Sheepshead Bay Houses have not been free of problems over the course of history, from infrastructure deterioration, under-funded upkeep, to increasing safety concerns. There is determination as well within the community: residents have had vocal groups pushing to get better and more services. Immigrant generations have lived within the buildings, with some having developed into improved lives within and beyond the community. Among the more famous former residents is NBA professional basketball player Stephon Marbury, who spent part of his youth in residence within the complex and attributes success to Sheepshead Bay.
Despite declines in decades-old issues in many of the NYCHA buildings, the Sheepshead Bay Houses are a continued part of Brooklyn life, an echo of the issues and yet still-existent strength of the residents there.
