The issue of affordable housing in NYC is so complex and fragmented that it's difficult to tease out. Some aspects of the problems confronting lower and middle income people were covered fairly well in a recent DMI post by Gregory Lobo Jost [1].
Tenants and affordable housing advocates are gathering energy and momentum to change 12 years of Pataki anti-tenant regulation and statute. Coordinated by Housing Here And Now [2] a remarkable coalition of labor unions, community organizations and housing church groups and the Working Families Party have gathered around a six goals.
While large-scale meetings have been held in many party of NYC, the meeting for those living below 59th Street in Manhattan is Saturday, May 5, 2007 11 AM at Middle Collegiate Church 50 East 7th Street (Between 1st and 2nd Aves.) Refreshments will be provided, I'm told, so come hungry. The agenda is: Repeal vacancy decontrol, Restore Home Rule (so NYC rents can be regulated in NYC not in Albany), End Harrassment, Preserve Mitchell Lama and Section 8 Housing, Provide state funding for NYC public housing, Establish HIV/Aids Housing rent limits. The Campaign is called "New York Is Our Home"
The city-wide coalition plans a City-Wide demonstration on Wednesday May 23, 5PM-7PM on First Avenue between 14th Street and 23rd Street in front of Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, the huge rent regulated complex now threatened to be converted to luxury housing. I was giving out leaflets at Stuyvesant Town the other day when a guy said to me "I don't have to worry about rent regulation, I live in Stuyvesant Town" This led me to wonder how realistic Stuy and PCV residents are.
You can find out more, sign up for the May 23rd event by clicking here [3]
If you go to the Saturday meeting leave time for the Block Fair of St. Mark's Church [4] at 2nd Ave. & 10th Street which will go on all afternoon. Also consider the Housing Works Used Book store at Crosby & Jersey (30% off) and remember that May 5 is also Cinco de Mayo, of cheap Carta Blanca and tequila shots. Less alcoholic but perhaps as intoxicating for Cinco de Mayo, might be a visit to the Mexican Tall Ship " Cuauhtemoc" which is now docked at Pei 17 (South Street Seaport) For a great photo of this elegant ship entering San Francisco bay, click here [5]
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