Condo Glut
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Right to the City coalition has just completed a citywide condo vacancy survey. They found 601 buildings in 9 community districts that had empty units or appeared to be stalled mid-construction. Jose Lopez from Make the Road NY and David Dodge from RTTC talk about the survey findings and how they plan to try to transform vacant units into affordable housing.
Comments [11]
These are well meaning but misguided activists. They would be the first to protest the means of eminent domain for Atlantic Yards but believe it is justified for their "good" ends. Instead of punishing developers after expensive condos are built they should advocate better city planning for construction of mixed income housing for all income levels. And yes, it is disappointing that Brian gushes about them being Radio Rookies instead of asking tough questions. I exercised my "basic human right of affordable housing" by moving from Park Slope to Sunset Park and I love it!
In this case I must thank john from office and Tim from Queens. for helping me to pull back from my temptation to blindly applaud that "eminent domain" reversal move. It's clever and immediately gratifying for those horrified at previous eminent domains but what comes next is dark indeed, fit for Peking and Bangalore but this place of ours.
Brian sounded so proud of his little socialist. A product of Radio Rookies. Like animal farm, lets see how he feels when he ones property. The areas in question are being improved by the middle class, the old residents ruined those areas.
City to just "take the property". Are you serious? Young man you need to be concerned about the developers because they have the power financially and politically in this city. This city lives and breathes through real estate, always has always will. You need to understand your enemy to be able to counter it.
I agree 100% with Chuck from Brooklyn.
Chuck, There are plenty of no-fee apartments in the city, in Inwood, Washington Heights, and the better areas of Harlem for under $1,000. Unfortunately, white, middle-income people don't want to live in them.
Sorry to inform your guests, but THERE IS NO RIGHT TO HOUSING, let alone affordable housing. Nothing in the U.S. Constitution, New York State Constitution or anywhere else. That's the way it is.
I live in Manhattan Plaza and this building went from failed luxury housing to Section 8 housing in the 1970s, I hope your guests will look to the "Miracle on 42nd Street" as a model for their proposal. Not everyone will be able to afford a mortgage, rental housing should also be considered.
Give me a break! Making their communities more livable? Ha.
Graffiti, scratchitti, littering, loitering...
What is being considered low income? I have been looking to buy a place for some time. Low income housing has a cut off of less than $38k/year. How are people making so little expected to even afford an "affordable condo/co-op that cost $200k & up? I make less than 60k and nothing is within my reach. I'm making too much for an "affordable housing program" but too little to buy anything else.
I'm already paying for people to live in low income housing through my taxes! Enough!
What about some middle income housing.
It's disgusting that the only way you can live in the city is becoming if you are poor or rich.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.