The Brooklyn Heights Association

The mission of the Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA) is to engage the Brooklyn Heights community in maintaining and improving the quality of life in the neighborhood.

While preserving the physical fabric of this historic neighborhood has always been essential to our mission, equally and increasingly important is our role as a strong advocate for the community on other timely and critical matters — from access to good schools for our children, to neighborhood security and traffic safety as our streets grow more crowded, and to addressing potential threats that emerge as a result of the growing scale of real estate development in and around the Heights.

The BHA is the organized voice of the Heights. We work to preserve our historic buildings, protect the views, advocate for thoughtful urban planning, and promote safety and security on our streets. When there is a threat, we help to organize the community's response. So whether you rent a studio, own a brownstone, or live in a high-rise, we work to protect everyone’s stake in this neighborhood. That's why membership in the BHA is so important. The more members we have, the stronger our voice; the more financial support we generate, the more impact we have in pursuing actions to protect and advance the community’s interests; and the more volunteers we enlist, the more we can accomplish as a neighborhood. 

The Brooklyn Heights Association was founded in 1910 to promote the neighborhood’s welfare and interests, including the preservation of its unique architectural character. Throughout its history BHA has focused on maintaining quality of life and neighborhood character and the organization built its constituency by opposing projects that threatened the residential character of the neighborhood and housing issues raised by urban renewal projects and highway construction.

The BHA operates through a committee structure led by governors who serve as chairpersons; some governors serve as liaisons to other community groups or agencies to address significant issues. Committees may also engage community residents with specific expertise or interest to serve on the committee.