The R.V. Ingersoll Houses are located in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood and are bordered by Myrtle Avenue, Prince Street, and St. Edwards Street.
Constructed in 1944, the Ingersoll Houses are among the oldest developments in the NYCHA public housing system. The complex consists of 20 buildings and is home to more than 3,000 residents.
Named in honor of Raymond V. Ingersoll, a former Brooklyn Borough President (who served from from 1934 to 1940) and advocate for public welfare and housing, the development was constructed during World War II as low-cost housing for wartime industrial workers.
Like many early NYCHA developments, Ingersoll Houses emphasized functionality, durability, and open space, with a layout intended to promote a sense of community. Over time, however, the complex has faced deterioration, security concerns, and slow maintenance responses, prompting residents to advocate for improvements.
Despite these challenges, the Ingersoll community remains active, with tenant and community organizations continuing to push for reinvestment and redevelopment.
The Ingersoll Houses are also associated with actor and director Michael K. Williams, who portrayed Omar Little on The Wire. He often credited Fort Greene and the housing complex as formative influences in his life and work. His story reflects the broader character indicative of the complex development: resilient, grounded, and shaped by a strong sense of community.
Fire-tested over decades, the Ingersoll Houses remain a vital part of Fort Greene’s social and cultural fabric and a source of pride for many residents who continue to call it home.
