New York, NY —

The local chapter of ACORN helped get Brooklyn's Atlantic Yards project approved. Now, the developer is helping out the non-profit housing group.

An ACORN spokesman says Forest City Ratner gave it half a million dollars, and is loaning the group another $1 million at a difficult financial time.

Critics of Atlantic Yards say the donation further erodes ACORN's integrity and will limit its ability to stand up to the developer in the future. ACORN's spokesman, Jonathan Rosen, says the assistance won't affect ACORN's independence, and it'll continue to fight for affordable housing around the city.