HUD Official Speaks the Unspeakable: Selling The Projects
As we’ve mentioned before, rumors about the privatization of certain public housing projects in parts of rapidly gentrifying areas of Brooklyn have been circulating for a couple of years. Most recently, we wrote about the theory that the Ingersoll and Whitman Houses in Fort Greene were being emptied in anticipation of such a move; it’s…
As we’ve mentioned before, rumors about the privatization of certain public housing projects in parts of rapidly gentrifying areas of Brooklyn have been circulating for a couple of years. Most recently, we wrote about the theory that the Ingersoll and Whitman Houses in Fort Greene were being emptied in anticipation of such a move; it’s also not hard to imagine something similar happening at the Farragut Houses, given their close proximity to Dumbo, the most expensive neighborhood in Brooklyn. Given what a politically and emotionally charged issue this is, however, no public official has ever said anything in its favor, as far as we know. But, on Tuesday, Sean Moss, the regional administrator for the federal Housing and Urban Development Department, went out on a serious limb. In light of the New York Housing Authority’s dismal financial position (an annual shortfall of $200 million), he said, selling public housing buildings in the most upscale areas could make sense. “It may displace some people, and that is a concern,” Moss said. “That is not necessarily a bad thing if you can create more housing [elsewhere] with that.” We’ll see whether political pressures force him to backpedal in the coming days.
Feds Eye NY Building Sale at Housing Projects [NY Daily News]
Bye Bye Public Housing, Hello Luxe Condos? [Curbed]
What’s Really Going on at the Ingersoll Houses? [Brownstoner]
Racism is economics. Economic Oppression of a group based on its race. The man was raping and making babies w/ those of a race he claimed was “inferior”, snatching and selling their babies and giving them his to nurse, nurture and suckle – how “inferior” or hated us did he? Originally, Slave Labor in America consisted of the Whites (indentured as well), Blacks and Natives being sold on the same slave block, until the OPPRESSOR realized that his daughter could be also sold on that same block (many of the Natives died from the diseases associated with him, so of course not economically feasible). Stories from the ancestors on how the “poor white trash” (south) who appeared to have had less than their neighbors and basically in many instances lived in communities together, however, in an instance would reference their neighbor who for the most part they got along decently well (Black people have hearts of GOLD, of course due to the holocaust committed against us, many suffer SEVERLY with Deranged and Confused Hearts); however the dear white neighbor who many instances broke bread with them, would blurt out “BLACK NIGGER”. “Dirty White Skin and no food to eat”, poor housing conditions, yet instead of organizing with their neighbor to overthrow the oppressor, they claim to fame, would be their alignment with the oppressor based on skin color – mind you “very dirty (black) skin”. Can’t even afford water nor food to eat. It is truly unfortunate that such ignorance is still so prevalent today. All the talk in the financial sector is on investing Globally. What about AMERICA. So for all those who think or are too ignorant to think and realize that money is the motivator behind all this crap, we shall live to see. Because, the slave master in many instances trusted his slave more than any other, particularly the overseer (note: how many slaves wouldn’t even leave MAster after his freedom was granted – “Slave Narratives – FDR WPA Project”, good source; Many also where the only ones who knew where the family valuables were and retrieved them and gave to the family at due time). Of course much of that later statement also pertained to the psychology, oppression, confusion and degradation due to racism.
Housing Projects shelter the working poor for the most part. And as another commenter stated; Mismanagement serves as the reason why funds are not used to upkeep the property properly as well as Institutionalized Racism (need a working poor to service the few-rich, NYC future plans quite similar to D.C. current). It is interesting that many who make these demeaning comments on these “Brooklyn Web-sites†are newcomers to the city or community, even if your racist/prejudice ancestors where here #### years ago, they left due to racist/ prejudice views (White Flight) and now all those that have newly arrived want to make specialist comments. HOW SPecial!!!!
When are we going to wake up and realize that we all got to live together? There is only one EARTH. And, all life began in AFRICA/ KUSH/ KUSHITES (Black People living in all that Sun and still bearing their melatonin and dominate genetic bands). Respect/ Self-Respect is the key. Treating others they way you want and believe that you as well as your loved ones should be treated. There are good and bad in every sphere of our society. It is generally the few who makes things worst. Imagine, we could all walk around rude, disrespectful and disgusting, “No one has a monopoly on Stupidity and Ignorance, it is a CHOICE” (Mattie-Jeanette, etc – 1964 and preceding).
The notion of Ghetto’s has been around longer than modern day projects. Most people don’t necessarily choose to live in a project. In many instances it serves as a necessity (family, children, cost-effective). Many who are citing the joy of displacing people due to their temporary status as residents, is disgustingly appalling (since many will reside, marry and leave, however, many Blacks in particularly are and have remained since the day they escaped or ran north for perceived freedoms). In NYC, many developments such as Nehemiah Housing and projects of the like in racially demographic communities that are representative of that small group that controls the mass of wealth (apprx 67% of stock market owned by less than 15% of population) are well-kept, since today, hopefully that minority group would be overthrown if they didn’t make their counterparts feel as though they equate on some level. Let’s get over the BS!!!! RESPECT Ourselves. I like to think the majority of us are Hard-working/ Working folks in this society (to the extent that the economic policies allow – notice all the hype how over 68% of the population were homeowners – WAKE UP!!!!!), however many times across many genre’s it sometimes seems we can’t work hard enough. Hard-times and unfortunate circumstances doesn’t necessarily discriminate. Though, Institutionalized Racism does (criminal justice system, educational policies, healthcare, etc). Yes, I could go on and on and on, since that’s how long and longer this CRAP has been going on.
Another note: African-Americans are displaced HONORARY American Citizen’s (WE BUILT THIS COUNTRY TRULY ON THE BACKS OF OUR SOULS, HEARTS, SPIRITS, LIVES, FAMILIES AND THE VERY ESSENCE OF OUR BEING – And we still SUFFER, The Psychology of Racism). Generally, wherever we are is all we have. Actually, Slavery/ Jim Crow laws were not interrupted until the 1964/1965 Civil Rights act. A little over 40 yrs. This may seem to small-minds a long period, however, NOT!!!!!!! I Pray for us ALL!!!! Since, I can tell you in reading these comments on the various “Brooklyn Websites” and all the comments pertaining in code to the People of Color in Brooklyn; that the emotional anguish, anger and pain that swells up in my soul can barely be expressed. I can assure you these feelings are not an anomaly. And, for all those who feel that their class/race or whatever ignorant figment of their imagination makes them better or more gracious than another human being, TRUST, in no way if in dire need of food, water, blood, a life-saving organ would rarely any one of these same ignoramus concern themselves too much with the class/ race of the contributor/donor. Also, Gentrification is not new and refers to the wealthy overtaking an area considered inhabited by the less politically and financially powerful. Mind you, this could easily be you or anyone of your loved ones tomorrow. Hello!!!! And, the way things are going the Middle Class of today, may very well be the Working Poor and Destitute of tomorrow.
Benson
When you write:
“Do you consider a paper by an advocacy group that is dedicated to the whole proposition of government-run housing to be “data”. Note the lack of footnotes in this paper. It relies on an anecdotal interview with a resident.”
That would be a good time to present your own evidence, which of course you do not do. You are a hypocrit.
“No one has a right to live in NYC and the burden of caring for the indignant should not fall on the residents of this alone.”
102 comments and not one person has pointed out this Freudian slip?
I am in total agreement with Polemicist — caring for the indignant should not be the responsibility of NYC residents!
So, Polemicist and your ilk, take your illiterate and indignant selves elsewhere!
I believe the word you’re looking for up there is indigent — synonymous with poor, needy, impoverished, poverty-stricken, penniless, destitute, impecunious.
And, sorry, it is everyone’s responsibility (morally at least) to care for those less fortunate.
Or not — there is such a thing as karma.
Indignant, indeed!
You tell’em Mlle. Montrose!!!
(I thought I wouldn’t check this thread again today but here I am…)
FortGreener/GrammarLady
Close all publis housing. Make the What a homeless crazy person.
There is a rumor circulating (one of many) that the Farragut Houses in Dumbo may be converted to house the city’s municipal workers.
These projects have parking lots too?? For the tenants?? Are you kidding me??
4:21, hardly my rent roll, so what’s your point? I don’t have to prove my bona fides in community work, or good deeds in general, to you or anyone else. Nor do I have to bankrupt myself to prove I care about, or work for any cause. So what have you done for anyone lately?
Benson, the city became a landlord because no one else wanted to step up to the task, and those that did, to a large degree, were bigger crooks than any street corner mugger. Remember the homeless shelter “hotels” that cost more than the Plaza, as well as countless slumlords who cheated their tenants out of a decent home, while socking it to the city for subsidies?
Public housing is a big job, with big money involved, and so it draws crooks aplenty on all sides of the fence, from tenants, to managers to building owners. That’s one of the reasons big gov’t stepped in. Does the system suck – of course. I wouldn’t have a problem with a transfer of ownership to tenants, provided it was done in a sane way, backed up with plenty of support, money, and done over time. If they just hand the keys over to the residents without any of the support they need, who can be suprised at the failure that will result? Unless that is the plan in the first place, Let’s hope not. I am not advocating the status quo, but to simply abolish NYCHA without a plan for replacement housing is foolish, dangerous to all of us, and will cost us more, and does not solve any problems whatsoever, it will cause more.
Montrose;
I dismissed the citings of the professor because of his procedure. Writing an advocacy piece based upon an anecdotal interview with one resident is hardly social science.
My points WERE about housing policy over the entire city. I advocate that the city get out of the business of being a landlord. It’s worse than welfare. In the case of welfare, at least it was open to all who were eligible. Public housing, on the other hand, is a lottery system. The city should give this stock to its current occupants. Yes, this is another form of a lottery. Unlike the present system, however, it would have beneficial effects. It would give the occupants a piece of the rock, and they can sell them to developers, and get the hell out of these monstrosities and move on with their lives, which they are NOT doing now. The city would be finally relieved of this useless drain on the coffers.
You want to help the poor? Have the city use the proceeds to build new subway lines, improve the roads and reclaim polluted land. Creat an environment for business to flourish, rather than maintaining monstrosities that look like Soviet housing, and were inspired by the same ideas.
Benson.