Mission

Since 1953, the Belle Harbor Property Owners Association has worked to maintain and improve the quality of life in our beautiful neighborhood.

The purpose of the Association is to promote and protect the rights, privileges and interests of our residents. In doing so, we advocate for the health, safety and welfare of our members; foster strong community ties and good citizenship; and fight against government actions that may undermine property values and/or our quality of life.

Our vision is to leave the next generation a beautiful, seaside residential neighborhood in which they can flourish and live happy lives.

History

The neighborhood of Belle Harbor was established in the early 1900s, with our oldest homes built circa 1910. Over the next four decades, hundreds of single-and two-family houses were built from beach to bay, filling out our vibrant neighborhood. New York City has zoned Belle Harbor as R-2 (single-family homes only) but some older, larger structured are still allowed to have multiple families. Our oldest religious institution, St. Francis de Sales church, was built in 1907. The Ohab Zedek synagogue was built in 1954. Our public school, the Belle Harbor School or P. S. 114, was built in 1926. For decades, it has consistently been one of the best performing elementary schools in New York City.

By the mid-1900s, Belle Harbor had become an enclave for working-class and middle income families who hoped to build a better life away from the more crowded "mainland" of Brooklyn and Queens. These included many civil servants, including policemen, firemen and teachers. The increase in housing values in the late 1900s and early 2000 attracted new residents but many third-and fourth-generation families remain.

Our neighborhood suffered terrible losses in the September 11 terrorist attacks and the Flight 587 plane crash two months later. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused unprecedented flooding and fire damage. In response to each of these tragedies, Belle Harbor friends and neighbors pulled together. Our camaraderie and resilience have made the neighborhood stronger than ever.