Brooklyn leaders are applauding the mayor's announcement today that he is committed to bringing real change that will strengthen and protect East New York.

Mayor Bill de Blasio called for a public review of the area that will be redeveloped. The mayor's plan is to bring affordable housing and commercial buildings to the area, primarily around Atlantic Avenue.

If all goes according to schedule, rezoning and new construction could begin as early as next year. Legislators say that similar redevelopment plans have happened in other areas of Brooklyn so they are pleased to see that it's finally East New York's turn.

Part of the plan also calls for the construction or preservation of 200,000 housing units in the next decade.