Community Groups Protest "Racist" and "Illegal" Construction in Broadway Triangle
The Broadway Triangle Community Coalition is planning to protest ” ‘illegal and racist’ construction and permits at the Broadway Triangle,” on the steps of City Hall this morning, according to the group’s website. The Broadway Triangle Community Coalition is a group of 40 community organizations, including tenant associations, that successfully sued to stop the construction…
The Broadway Triangle Community Coalition is planning to protest ” ‘illegal and racist’ construction and permits at the Broadway Triangle,” on the steps of City Hall this morning, according to the group’s website. The Broadway Triangle Community Coalition is a group of 40 community organizations, including tenant associations, that successfully sued to stop the construction of affordable housing there aimed at the Hasidic community, a plan championed largely by former State Assemblyman Vito Lopez — and which may have contributed to his downfall.
The group is calling for Mayor de Blasio and the city to stop issuing building permits for private development aimed at the Hasidic community by private developers on privately owned land in the Broadway Triangle area.
“The Coalition demands that the de Blasio administration stop authorizing the construction of discriminatory housing and stop fostering neighborhood segregation,” execs for the group told us in an email. “For every private site in the Broadway Triangle that has been or is being developed, the City of New York has granted permits to the developers for building and construction. The City has authorized the ongoing development of discriminatory housing, exacerbating existing residential segregation in these neighborhoods. This practice must stop.”
As far as we are aware, all the private development happening there now is “as of right,” meaning no variance is required. The building department considers only building regulations when issuing permits. It would be unprecedented for the DOB to consider the potential for housing discrimination after a building is constructed as well.
It’s perfectly legal to build apartments aimed at a particular market, although refusing to rent or sell to someone on the basis of religion or race is not. But it is notoriously difficult to sue Hasidic landlords for housing discrimination against non-Hasids, since apartments are never advertised.
Meanwhile, Eric Adams has called for the city to restart the development of affordable housing on city-owned land in the area, an idea the group enthusiastically supports.
“The Broadway Triangle is a perfect opportunity for the current administration to start achieving this vision and break from the troubling practices of its predecessor. It’s truly baffling why the City has not seized on this. The Coalition advocates for all land in the Broadway Triangle to be developed in a way that is consistent with fair housing laws and maximizes affordable housing in an area of Brooklyn that desperately needs it. So far, that has not happened.”
Shocker: Borough Pres Wants to Revive Broadway Triangle Development [Brownstoner]
Image via Urban Omnibus
Please see Fair Housing Law here: http://www.lawfoundation.org/repository/Religion.pdf
It’s on the 1st page and those who argue that it’s legal to rent out exclusively to your own faith, you don’t know the law.
What if a landlord wants to rent out apartments to people of his or her own faith?
That is illegal. A Landlord cannot impose his or her own religious beliefs on renters nor can the landlord treat applicants of his or her own faith differently from people of other faiths.
“Affordable housing” typically means public funding, tax breaks, or zoning leniency / bonuses. If none of that’s happening I don’t see why it would be any more illegal than paying an employee in cash. But why call it “affordable housing” then?
Boerumresident,
Very good assessment of today’s debate here.
I agree with you that the “Word of mouth thing” impacts the tenancy etc and is wrong. And of course shouldn’t be done. What I did say debatable is whether that LEGALLY violates the Fair Housing Act and if prosecutable etc. There is a lot of case law both ways.
Anonlurker,
Thanks for creating a strawman and then ripping him. Takes allot of Texas talent.
My comments on this thread can be reread . If your only way of debating someone is by distorting their on record comments than no one is as unfortunate as you-my Texas friend.
Anonlurker,
Good point! How many years are were people living in Texas till they changed? Way more than 3 generations. Theres your answer 🙂
So if you challenge what is obviously discriminatory housing practice you’re a racist, huh? And what race is that?
Actually this practice has been going on for the past ten years. Walk around Harrison Ave, Lee Ave, Rutledge, Heywood, Bedford Ave, Skillman along Myrtle and you will see unfinished buildings that are being built for Jews only. When the units hits the market, word is spread in the synagogues and quietly among each other. They are basically building a Jews only settlement. And they are receiving government tax abatement.
I had some positive interactions too, Mordy. And I have a great deal of respect for them–I’ve seen the neighborhood change and expand over the years. There are negatives and positives in that. The strength of the community is admirable. Enviable, even.
My understanding of the faith is that a lot of it is focussed on prayer and reflection–not just for them, but for the world. But outreach would help too.
Heather,
I know unlike others here-you are sincere in the resentment you have felt so I apologize for your interactions and I do hope that the people you interacted with are from the minority of Hasidim!
And that they will also see the light 🙂