The four developments announced last month will target renting families with annual incomes of $69,000, and individuals earning $48,300 or less. Ownership opportunities will be offered to families making $99,800, and individuals making $69,000 or less. Although this is significantly higher than the average $22,400 annual income of most NYCHA residents, the income targets provide units considered affordable under HPD guidelines and as directed by Bloomberg’s housing plan. Such developments offer a chance for upwardly mobile public housing residents to remain in the neighborhood, according to HPD press secretary Seth Donlin. Oftentimes residents who are eligible for certain housing subsidies face disqualification if their income increases even slightly. "Mixed income housing preserves choice," Donlin said.
Recent developments of a similar nature, such as the University Macombs rehabilitation of empty buildings, were also lauded by community members for creating facilities for everyone in the area. Xavier Hernandez, the district manager of Community Board 5, where the new University Avenue project will begin, said of the completed University Macombs project, "It was very appealing to the community. The buildings were amenable and the community was involved."
Housing analyst Bach remains skeptical about the new NYCHA land sale and reuse process, however. Given NYCHA's available acreage and the potential to create such a positive impact in the city, it's possible to conceive of well-developed and well-designed housing, he said, but "we need to ask what we can do to protect" the voice of community members who will be impacted.
City Limits is launching a new series of articles, "The Houses," about aspects of the New York City Housing Authority. In addition to stories online, the January issue of the print quarterly "City Limits Investigates" will take an in-depth look at NYCHA’s fiscal crisis — its roots in the long-running controversy over public housing, its impact on residents, and the potential long-term effects of debilitating deficits.
This story has been corrected. NYCHA is not considering cutting "senior housing" to ease its deficit. 11/18/08
