Cleaning crews have started scrubbing the floors and freshening up the Ocean Hill Houses, marking the first visible signs of a long-awaited transformation.

For many residents, it’s more than just a deep clean; it’s the beginning of a much-needed new chapter.

“It’s overdue. It’s well overdue - we needed the change,” said Claribel Serrano, a longtime resident of the NYCHA development.

This week, NYCHA officially closed on $433 million in funding for a large-scale renovation project aimed at preserving permanently affordable housing across several developments in Brooklyn.

The plan includes a full revamp of 920 apartments spanning 14 buildings, including the Bedford-Stuyvesant Rehab, Ocean Hill Apartments, Saratoga Village and Stuyvesant Gardens I and II.

“I was shocked that they were gonna do the renovations the way they were gonna do it,” Serrano said. “To me, it’s like a big improvement.”

The renovations will bring sweeping changes for residents. Entire apartments will be updated, from flooring to fixtures, with features like quartz bathtubs and polished chrome finishes. Outside, communities will see new playgrounds, improved walkways, updated lighting and a full upgrade to building security systems, including the installation of new surveillance cameras.

"I'm looking forward to a brand-new apartment, brand new things, new furniture, new everything," said resident Dawn Bradham, expressing hope for a better quality of life.

The improvements go beyond individual apartments. Starting this fall, NYCHA will also begin infrastructure upgrades and a full makeover of the community center. The revamped space will offer expanded resources and programs for children, teens and seniors - turning the center into a true hub for the community.

NYCHA officials say this financial closing marks a significant step toward not only preserving affordable housing but actively improving the lives of more than 2,000 residents.

And for families in Ocean Hill, that promise of renewal is already beginning to feel real.