A newly unveiled housing complex in Brownsville is touting itself as a direct response to the affordable housing crisis while focusing on energy efficiency. 

Vital Brookdale is now open to accept new residents, though many of those residents have already moved in to the seven-floor apartment building.  

Anthony McQueen moved in about three months ago after spending years in a group home. He couldn’t contain his excitement.  

“I waited like 15 years to get one of these things, one of these apartments,” said McQueen. “I’m so happy.” 

McQueen’s new home is one of 160 apartments in the building, 100 of which are already occupied. Vital Brookdale’s apartments are mostly affordable housing units where a tenant or family can get an apartment based on their income in contrast to the area’s median income. 

Thirty-six units are reserved specifically for those who have aged out of the foster care system or have developmental disabilities.