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]
Just one other point of view, read this link below:
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=5&id=15456
seems like converting them will generate income for needed improvements as well as proving people an opportunity to experience ownership, maybe they will look at their surroundings different, ownership equals pride, (sometimes) but I think it could help a bit. What do you all think about this article??
someday The What is gonna shuut the fuck up ……
convert them all to free market co-ops
resident can choose to sell or stay
12:42: they wouldn’t be throwing the elders or poor out on the street. They’d be relocated. It’s been done successfully in many urban centers. It’s not as dramatic as you make it.
My dear Benson, have you ever walked into a housing project and seen or spoken to the people there? Most of these buildings are chock full of new immigrants, as well as everyone else. It depends on the neighborhood. In Wmsburg, some of NYCHA housing there is full of large Hasidic families, recent immigrants or not, and some of the buildings in Bed Stuy have a lot of immigrants from Middle Eastern countries. I’m sure NYCHA housing near Brighton Beach has Russian and Eastern Bloc families, as well as Chinese and Asian families in lower Manhattan and Queens, and Hispanic families in Fort Greene and elsewhere.
A vast majority of people do not come here and buy homes immediately, especially those in service and labor jobs. I do not disagree that most work very hard, and move up and out, and many achieve that elusive American dream.
If projects are only a stew of failed pathologies and failed people (a concept I do not buy), and they need to be abolished, I have to ask where people who advocate that think all of these people are going to go? Because it is our problem, they are not going to go to another state, or back to where they came from or disappear. Many will add to the legions of the homeless, the criminally inclined will prey on us all, and we will spend as much, if not more, on bailing out hospitals, the shelter systems, jails and prisons, security, transit, and even burial of the dead. Gruesome and horror movie like? You bet.
FG/GL
Discussions here are really not that valuable but, I note that it is NOT happening, there is no plan for it to happen and not one single elected official has even suggested it – the ramblings of some powerless Washington bureaucrat not withstanding. Therefore as everyone bemoans the end of civilization in a class war I believe noting that it will never happen is valid.
I dont believe your comments of NYCHA residents living “under the gun” has any validity – if it does please elaborate.
As for what is being built today – luxury or not – all new housing at any price range effectively lowers the cost of housing (or the rate of housing cost increases) for all. The reality is that virtually all non-govt affordable housing (of which there is plenty) was at one time either “luxury” or at least upper middle class housing at one time.
As for Section 8 – the city actually responds to complaints fairly rapidly and Sec 8 will withhold rent for substandard apartments (not to mention that newly rented apartments must be inspected prior to Sec 8 approval). However the main issue is that b/c of the Sec 8 bureaucracy, the HORRIBLE tenants you get, and the impossibly long and expensive eviction process – no reputable LL will take Section 8 – which is why Section 8 has to pay more then market rate rent to get its tenants placed – b/c only LL more concerned about immediate cash flow (as opposed to an orderly and nice building) would take a chance on a Sec 8 tenant.
You say it 12:42!!!
FG/GL
Awww, Who cares!! More Condos for rich people!!!!!! Yeah for class warfare, Yeah!!!!!!!
Oh you chuckleheads need to read this.
http://www.financialsense.com/Experts/ewave/2007/1024.html
Oh BTW, when this Mutant Real Estate Bubble pops, we won’t worry about shit like this. The chuckleheads will go back to their caves.
Flame on Grammar Nazi’s
The What
Someday this war is gonna end…….
Housing projects do not create ghettos!!! People do, both the policy makers and the people living in them. I grew up in the projects. In fact, the one I lived in was built for World War II veterans. We forged meaningful and solid relationships that still exist today. We left our doors open in the Summer and as kids, we were not allowed to sit on the stoops/steps or be caught standing on the manicured grass (that generation did not play!) And don’t do anything wrong, because your mother was sure to find out through another parent! Times (society) have changed and the city’s direction and policies have also. Although many working class people remain in housing, they disproportionately began to put non-working families in and the structure we once knew began to come apart. I suspect that one of the reasons is because at the time to do so was more profitable, bringing in higher-paying jobs in the system. But workers on the lower-income levels, like housing assistants, were being overworked, having to spend 3-4 days of their week in court with tenants and returning to offices that were overflowing with files/issues to deal with. Now the city doesn’t need the poor to make their money, and in fact the city is losing money, so they are looking to another source. The city spruced up the grounds of the projects I was living in, not for us, for the families that for over 50 years faithfully paid their rent and were respectable tenants, but for the gentrification in Harlem! Do you know how many elders will be evicted if city housing is privatized–where are they going after living in the same place for over 50-60 years, on a fixed income? And how many people will lose their jobs?? If the goal is to have affordable housing, why couldn’t the city forge a plan to revamp what already exists? We should hold the city responsible, but instead we agree with them thinking that it’s going to improve our neighborhoods. They are doing it to forge partnerships with big business and making their own financial gains.