O’Dwyer Houses are located in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, bounded by West 33rd Street, West 35th Street, Mermaid Avenue, and Surf Avenue. Completed in 1969, the five-story walk-up New York City Housing Authority development is home to more than 2,000 residents.
Named after former New York City Mayor William O’Dwyer who was in office from 1946 to 1950, the complex was part of the city’s mid-20th-century effort to expand housing options for working-class New Yorkers. Its proximity to the beach and boardwalk has long distinguished O’Dwyer Houses as one of Brooklyn’s more desirable public housing developments.
Scenic surroundings aside, the complex has not been without longstanding challenges. Aging infrastructure, malfunctioning elevators, maintenance backlogs, and safety concerns have affected daily life for residents.
These issues mirror those faced across much of NYCHA’s housing stock, largely due to decades of underfunding and deferred investment.
Despite these challenges, residents have organized through tenant associations to advocate for better conditions, improved services, and greater city support. O’Dwyer Houses and the surrounding Coney Island community have also produced individuals who have contributed to New York City’s broader social and cultural life.
Though the complex has not received the same recognition as other developments, its close-knit community, shared history, and determination have made it a symbol of persistence in Brooklyn’s southernmost neighborhoods.
Like many NYCHA developments, O’Dwyer Houses reflect a balance of struggle and hope, shaped by resident determination and pride in place.
