The Brian Lehrer Show

Hi- I was so excited to hear that you were addressing this topic today. As a life long new yorker, finding it very hard to remain one these days, this is at the front of my mind and a constant source of anxiety.

What I was really disappointed about (and I tried to call in to comment but the show had already been taped) was that no one, when discussing affordable housing, ever addressed the criteria for it that makes it absolutely inaccessible to the middle class.

The caps on income that are in place to be eligible are such that a woman like me, 37 years old, who makes about $40,000 a year, does not qualify for ANY of it and simultaeneously could not possibly afford a market rate apartment.

It is a red herring, saying that "all we need is more affordable housing built." I think what we need is to address the criteria by which we judge who is making a livable wage. PLEASE address this on your show! It is integral to the obliteration of the middle class in NYC.

best

Ali Smith

I totally agree with Ali. Two years ago I finally left new York City (after 12 years) because there was no hope of me, at 50K a year, ever owning anything in the city.