Real estate developer and social impact advocate Schelton Assoumou, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brownstone NYC, is calling on community leaders, policymakers, and everyday citizens to rethink how cities approach affordable housing and reentry support for formerly incarcerated individuals.
"Real estate is about space, but impact is about people," Assoumou says. “If we only build for profit, we ignore those who need stability the most—families, veterans, working moms, people coming out of prison.”
Assoumou’s firm, Brownstone NYC, has provided housing to over 1,000 residents, 60% of whom were previously homeless or in shelters. He has repositioned over 120 distressed properties worth more than $200 million, focusing on cost-efficient Air-rights and joint venture models as a way to lower housing shortage in areas like New York City.
Investing in People Through Mentorship
For Assoumou, opportunity began with mentorship. Through INROADS, a program that supports high-potential minority youth, he went from a public university student to securing an internship on Wall Street—and later gaining admission to Harvard. “Without INROADS, my story could’ve been very different,” he says. Now, as a mentor himself, he has guided dozens of students from underserved communities into Ivy League schools and meaningful careers. He believes affordable housing and second chances must go hand-in-hand with mentorship. “It’s not just about providing a home—it’s about unlocking human potential,” he adds. Assoumou sees programs like INROADS as essential models for reentry, education, and economic mobility that cities must scale to truly support justice-involved individuals.
Rethinking Ownership Through Joint Ventures
Assoumou believes cities must move beyond traditional development models that displace families. Rather than pushing homeowners to sell, Brownstone NYC leverages joint venture partnerships to unlock untapped equity for property upgrades—enabling families to retain majority ownership while sharing in increased value. “We’re not just flipping houses; we’re flipping outcomes,” he says. This same approach can be adapted to support formerly incarcerated individuals. Community land trusts and co-ownership housing models can create long-term affordability while giving returning citizens a real stake in their neighborhoods. Additionally, incentive-based zoning reforms and public-private joint ventures can prioritize transitional and permanent supportive housing that integrates reentry services with economic opportunity. We urge community leaders, policymakers, and everyday citizens to champion such innovative strategies that treat returning citizens not as liabilities but as partners in progress. Housing equity must be a pathway to restoration—and joint ventures can lead the way.
What You Can Do
Assoumou believes that solving these issues of making housing affordable to support formerly incarcerated individuals, doesn’t just fall on developers or politicians—it’s something everyone can contribute to. Here’s how:
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Be Informed: Learn how housing laws, zoning policies, and systemic barriers affect access to homes and jobs for people leaving prison.
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Support Local Nonprofits: Volunteer or donate to organizations helping with reentry and community housing.
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Mentor and Hire Differently: If you’re an employer, consider hiring someone with a record. “Redemption isn’t a policy—it's a decision,” Assoumou says.
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Speak Up Locally: Attend housing board meetings. Advocate for developments that serve diverse communities and reject the "not in my backyard" mindset.
Final Word
“I measure success in stories,” says Assoumou. “Not just square feet.”
Whether it’s helping a veteran out of a shelter or giving a second chance to someone rebuilding their life, Schelton Assoumou believes that the future of cities must be built on purpose, not just concrete.
Media Contact
Contact Person: Schelton Assoumou
Email: Send Email
City: Brooklyn
State: New York
Country: United States
Website: https://scheltonassoumou.com/