During the 1940s, the demolition of elevated train lines (moving them underground) and post-war suburban migration changed the demographics, which was followed by decades of disinvestment, redlining, and crime. Current Landscape (As of 2026)
The area is undergoing significant rezoning (about 200 blocks), aiming to promote affordable housing, with the city’s first Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Designated Area (MIHA) mapped along key corridors like Atlantic Avenue and Pitkin Avenue. East New York
Residents and local organizations like the Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation are active in shaping the neighborhood's future, focusing on equity and sustainable development. During the 1940s, the demolition of elevated train
Once dubbed a "Dead Zone" by local police, the neighborhood has seen dramatic improvements in housing, with the number of units increasing to roughly 44,600 by the late 1990s and continued development into the 2020s. Once dubbed a "Dead Zone" by local police,
New buildings and community facilities are replacing older commercial spaces, particularly around the New Lots Avenue area.