The Basement Apartment Conversion Pilot Program (BACPP) provides eligible homeowners of 1-3-family buildings in Brooklyn’s Community District 5 neighborhoods of East New York and Cypress Hills with low- or no-interest loans, and possibly forgivable, to convert their basement or cellar into a safe, legal apartment for rental occupancy.

The program’s goal is to create additional legal, safe housing in these neighborhoods. Eligible homeowners can apply for a low or no-interest loan to finance the renovation.

This is a limited, pilot program, and homeowners were encouraged to express interest by May 31, 2019. Although you can still express interest, there is no guarantee you will be able to participate in the program.

Information and assistance is available in English and Spanish.

Learn more about the pilot program.

Call 311 for assistance.

The BACPP Program Area is within Brooklyn's Community District 5. Special enhanced commercial district and flood line areas may be excluded. 

The following streets define the program area:

  • Beginning at the intersection of Van Sinderen Ave and Linden Blvd;
  • East along Linden Blvd to intersection of Williams Ave;
  • East along Hegeman Ave to intersection of Malta St.
  • South along Malta St. to intersection of Linden Blvd
  • East along Linden Blvd to intersection of Georgia Ave;
  • North along Georgia Ave to intersection of Hegeman Ave;
  • East along Hegeman Ave to intersection of Barbey St.
  • North along Barbey St. to intersection of McClancy Pl.;
  • West along McClancy Pl.  to intersection of Schenck Ave;
  • North along Schenck Ave to intersection of New Lots Ave;
  • East along New Lots Ave to intersection of Barbey St.
  • North along Barbey St. to intersection of Dumont Ave;
  • East along Dumont Ave to intersection of Warwick St.
  • South along Warwick St. to intersection of New Lots Ave;
  • East along New Lots Ave to intersection of Montauk Ave;
  • North along Montauk Ave to intersection of Sutter Ave;
  • West along Sutter Ave to intersection of Atkins Ave;
  • North along Atkins Ave to intersection of Belmont Ave;
  • East along Belmont Ave to intersection of Fountain Ave;
  • South along Fountain Ave to intersection of Sutter Ave;
  • East along Sutter Ave to intersection of Hemlock St.
  • South along Hemlock St. to intersection of Blake Ave;
  • East along Blake Ave to intersection of Lincoln Ave;
  • North along Lincoln Ave to intersection of Sutter Ave; and
  • East along Sutter Ave to intersection of Sutter Ave and Conduit Blvd.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Alert

DOB’s Homeowner’s Customer Service Night events are cancelled until further notice.

Learn more about Homeowners Night.

Homeowners who would like to convert their basement or cellar into an apartment but are located outside of Brooklyn's Community District 5 can consult a design professional (i.e. architect or engineer).

They also can get answers and information from DOB staff, including Plan Examiners, inspectors, and others at Homeowners Night in their borough, held every Tuesday, from 4 PM – 7 PM. No appointment is necessary.

Bronx Borough Office
1932 Arthur Avenue, 5th Floor
Bronx, NY 10457

Brooklyn Borough Office
210 Joralemon Street, 8th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Manhattan Borough Office
280 Broadway, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10007

Queens Borough Office
120-55 Queens Boulevard
Kew Gardens, NY 11424

Staten Island Borough Office
10 Richmond Terrace, Borough Hall, 2nd Floor
Staten Island, NY 10301

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