The South Washington Heights and North Harlem Residents Association will be having its next meeting this Saturday, September 8th, to discuss affordable housing.
Who’s paying for new ‘affordable housing’?
Who’s the law protecting? How can we use it?
HPD: Housing programs designed to deceive!
- Speakers: Community Residents, Activists, Advocates and Politicians!
Pratt Institute for Community Renewal
Mirabal Sisters Cultural and Community Center
Tom DeMott (Coalition to Preserve Community)
Kim Powell (Buyers and Renters United to Save Harlem) (BRUSH)
Mittie Williams & Lydia Thaxton (HDFC residents)
State Senator Schneiderman (District 31)
Borough President Scott Stringer (Invited)
State Assemblyman Vito Lopez (District 53) (Invited)
Childcare, refreshments and Spanish translation will be available.
Saturday, September 8
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
525 W. 155th St (North Presbyterian Church)
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Posted in: Community, Organizations
divine1906
September 6, 2007
harlemnewbie – I agree with you 100% and have said much of what you said myself. I believe that at this point in our history, and for the last 40 years, our destiny is really in our own hands and not in any one elses.
What I would caution though is that the financial literacy that seems to come to you naturally does not come to others as naturally or at all.
They haven’t been oriented toward the idea that property ownership represents real power in this country and always has. Malcolm said to us years ago that “land is the basis of all independence”. Most of us didn’t take that statement to heart. So today we’re largely consumers who are buffeted about by whatever winds are blowing in the retail and media world. We watch scalliwags like Paris Hilton & Eve prance around in designer clothes, accessories and expensive cars and believe that those things represent the American Dream.
Don’t take your family background, life experiences or education for granted. It’s what separates you from many of the lost souls walking around with their Louis Vuitton bags, but don’t have a pot to piss in otherwise.
harlempride
September 5, 2007
With the phenomenal occurrences of redevelopment within its blocks alliances have created both threats and opportunities. Evident is pieces of this community history, culture and landmark buildings being demolished and frequently left without consideration of rehabilitating. What has transpired is rezoning particular parts that distinctively dividing the area into sections and latching on to trendier names like SoHa (South of Harlem) and NoHa (North of Harlem) in accommodating new arrivals. Strategic change and new directions has forcibly increased property subduing to small entrepreneur establishments evicted and many longstanding low-income African American residents eradicated to higher points of the Bronx. Hall (1997) argues as business plans and development out favor community interest groups in mere facts the very social fabric of a community can willfully change through gentrification and touristification of many areas leaving only heritage facades.
harlemnewbie
September 5, 2007
I always find these exchanges to be quite interesting. I myself am torn–I moved into Harlem, a Virginia native, and purchased one of the subsidized dwellings. FYI I did not pay anywhere near $1 MM–it was quite affordable. I had fantasies of reliving the Harlem life I read about during the first Renaissance. But the environment is definitely different . I also recall that preference for the housing lotteries was given to people that lived in the community, police officers, fire fighters and people with disabilities. Infact, a signficant % of the units were reserved for people that met those criteria. Here is the kicker, when I went in for my appointment, I was told that the agent was having a hard time closing deals because, people didn’t have any money saved or did not have credit worthy of securing a loan. Therefore I got a chance to buy an apartment. Now you might assume that this was just my experience, right? Wrong! My sister, who lives in DC, applied to several for the heck of it (WITH HER DC ADDRESS) and was selected to buy. Why? She passed the credit check test AND had saved sufficient funds. Whats worse is that THERE ARE PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WITH BAD CREDIT THAT ENABLE THEM TO GET MORTGAGES!!! ie NACA.com
So why haven’t more of us followed through?
I told everyone I met in Harlem and out about how they too can buy an apartment. It was simple logic: Manhattan is an island therefore space is limited, Harlem has great train and bus access to Midtown, Harlem may be the final frontier therefore housing is practically guaranteed to appreciate significantly. The writing has been on the wall for years–grocery stores, mass market retailers, Starbucks, etc. How many people followed through and applied? A small fraction. How many people did their own due diligence to investigate these deals further? A handful. How many people said maybe later? Most. And now look–Harlem is priced out of reach for most people.
We (black people) have to become more responsible for our own financial actions. When I moved into my building several years ago, I was disappointed to see that most of my neighbors did not look like me. Not necessarily because I didn’t want to live near people of other ethnicities, but because I recognized that my bretheren will have tremendous difficulty partaking in the new renaissance.
I still don’t get us sometimes. While observing all of this change in the neighborhood, I still encounter working people everyday with Louis Vuitton, Chanel, etc. on their person. Phat cars are bassing down the street. Ipods and PSPs practically in every childs hand. With this kind of buying power, more of us COULD have afforded one of these apts, before supply and demand took over.
By the way, 123uptownside, whether you like it or not, SoHa does exist in the realestate community. The area below 125th has been branded as such in many publications, including New York Mag. We can refer to it as Harlem all we want, but we do need to acknowledge the change that is happening. You cant fight the enemy that you don’t believe exists.
123uptownside
September 5, 2007
It makes me laugh. Someone named “Anonymous” has so much to say. In case if you haven’t noticed crack is not a Harlem problem it’s a national problem. I don’t know any teachers (and I am one) who can afford 1 million condo’s.
Regarding SOHA and another Anonymous writer, there has never been ANY south harlem, south of harlem etc. There has been Harlem and on occasion Spanish Harlem. Any bastardization of the name is an obvious attempt to appeal to outsiders. Any address across 110th street is HARLEM… Period.
divine1906
September 5, 2007
Ummm…without going into details, I’ve been fairly involved in the planning and execution of many of the developments going on in the Harlem community. Especially along the Eighth Avenue corridor. That’s why the whole SOHA 118th especially ticked me off. The 8th Avenue corridor’s development was not accidental. It was specifically planned for based on a plan developed by Lionel McIntyre of UTAP.
I’m not sure what your research is about, but you should know that real estate interests will always attempt to alter the perception of an area that was predominately of color that they’re now trying to sell. I really don’t understand what your point is otherwise.
I can assure you that none of the government agencies, local elected officials, Empowerment Zone officials, community development corporations or community board members intended for existing residents or institutions to be shunted aside or disrespected in making room for new comers. As I’ve said before, I welcome many of the changes and many of the new residents. But as we say uptown, they just have to “come correct”.
When you put a building on 126th street and call it “Chelsea North”, that’s just bullshit and I’ll call it as I see it.
So I’m not sure what you disagree with, but remember, I’m not reading this stuff in a book or a report. I was there.
harlempride
September 5, 2007
divine1906, I would have to disagree with you about disassociation argument. I’ve been doing research for some time now and provided exerts from my research for you and the other person to engage on common ground.
The one thing I would like you to think about is place marketing rapid recognition in the United States attributes to a growing multi-billion dollar industry where arguments stipulate over places becoming the applications of exploited “commodities to be consumed” and sold aggressively. Over the past twenty years, the practice has come to gain public support in promoting cultural assets in attaining cultural capital and economic activity for cities (Bianchini and Parkinson 1993 and Zulkin 1995).
While you lack sympathy, a community bares witness as New York state, local government agencies, public and private organization proceed toward advance strategies in pursuit of economic development expansion in retail, commercial, residential and land use of the Harlem community (CDC, 2005). An emerging paradox of the revival of Harlem lies at the very social cultural fabric sought to manipulate to attain a return on investment, diminishing as consequences to urban regeneration plans.
Therefore, it raises questions will Harlem only co-exist around an authenticity of a name and historical heritage facades. Simply put, Harlem is a tourist attraction gold mine for investors. Whose cultural will be on up-for sale on the marketing block?
divine1906
September 5, 2007
Interesting….
This website has actually been changed and that’s a good thing. I know what I read when I first visited the site. I was directed to it by a friend who was outraged and I in turn referred a few fellow residents to the site. We decided that each of us would individually call the development’s brokers and complain.
Wow…I didn’t think they’d really respond in any significant way, but revamping the site is significant.
Sorry to steal your “aha!” moment, but
my ranting as you call it is based on what really happens in these circustances. Ask the people who thought they lived in Bedford Stuyvesant who woke up one morning and were living in Stuyvesant Heights.
While you try to pass this off as some innocuos real estate tactic, some interpret it as an attempt to disassociate an area they want to “sell” from an area (and population) they identify as undesirable.
I wouldn’t expect you to understand. As we say “Them who feels it, knows it”.
anon
September 5, 2007
divine1906 – Maybe you should have your facts straight before you start ranting. The real estate development name “SOHA” as in SOHA118 (www.soha118.com) stands for “South Harlem”, not “South OF Harlem” as you claim. The “of” that you made up is not included on the website, and that makes a BIG difference (not “rhetorical jujitsu” as you will no doubt attempt to claim).
No one is saying that Harlem now starts at 125th, as you assert the developers are trying to do. They are instead trying to point out that they are in the southern part of Harlem, which is a fact. Developers do this in all parts of the city in an attempt to coin new names for micro-neighborhoods. While I think the name “SOHA” is rather silly, it is in no way as insidious as you suggest.
divine1906
September 5, 2007
Thanks #5. You’re exhibit “A” of what I’m talking about.
If you think my example is just about a real estate ploy, you’re dumber than your post sounds. You also need to improve your critical reading skills and see what I was actually saying.
I didn’t mentioned anything about race so again, forget usuing jujitsu. It doesn’t work.
I’m no one’s victim so save your victimology crap for your afterwork cocktail chatter with your colleagues.
I’ve always advocated for locals taking better care of the community, but poverty doesn’t always breed the best habits, whether its Harlem or Appalachia.
As for teaching anyone civilized behavior, a cursory look at America’s history makes that statement laughable.
It sounds like you have some real issues with the population. So other than affordable real estate, why stay? Sell your condo and “skidaddle”.
Thanks for making most of my arguments for me.
And I’m not your “honey”.
harlempride
September 5, 2007
In this new era of popular culture, urban “places” are in competitive race of various investments in aims of improving the “livability and visitability” of impoverished cultural neighborhoods in hopes to generate prosperity and catalyze the economic vibrancy of city life (Kotler, Haider and Rein 1993).
In reading both postings, what recommendations can you offer at assisting toward residents seeing the positive difference of gentrifying this neighborhood?
I ask because the characterization remains largely in tack, a self-serving residential minority community motivated by an intense sense of Black and Latino pride. Noticeable is the speculated stereotypes about minority people. Be real in stating there are barriers for participation in the progression of Harlem.
In giving responses please look to the vision of Harlem;
Improvement in vitality of the area New Diverse of Residents
Improve the image of perceptions & safety Longstanding village of Residents
Destination for greater number of tourists Sustaining Cultural Heritage
Increased number of jobs
Harlem has always had vast array of social and political issues facing revitalizing. There are those who seemingly allow presumption based on old image misconceptions to seep in the decision.
In attempt to discuss the desirability of Harlem, the fame and recognition is often linked with the sense of offering a central insight into black American culture and history.
Anonymous
September 5, 2007
Why are you blaming a stupid real estate marketing website ploy on newcomers to the neighborhood? Believe it or not, some of the middle income development HAVE teachers, police officers and firefighters living there. Some units go for as low as 80K.
I am all for respect in this neighborhood, but before you start blaming newcomers for Harlem’s ills you should standback and see the positive difference gentrifying this area has had. It completely outweighs any negative effects on the neighbohood.
What you see as arrogant attitudes, may actually be shock among newcomers, who see harlem residents treat their beloved area like Sh#t. I see it everyday. The littering is ridiculous. No where in this entire city do residents have such disrespect for their neighborhood than in Harlem. The tagging, littering, spitting, loud music late at night, not picking up after your dogs, the vandalism, etc.
I could go on too – the rascism of the area is second to none. White pricing happens all over the place, and I still get remarks about my skin color all the time. But of course, every bvlack resident here is a victim because whitey has moved into a development that was built on a vacant lot that was once used as a drug den.
Maybe newcomers can teach some decent civilized behavior to this community.
Give me a friggin break honey and wake up!
divine1906
September 5, 2007
Don’t try the rhetorical jujitsu on me my friends. It won’t work. Trying to ignore some of your own biases by calling someone else divisive won’t cut it here.
I’m one of the few folks in Harlem who think that the new income mix could be a good thing and supported many of the new developments.
But when folks attempt to do stupid stuff, I will call them out and speak against it.
For example, the development “SOHA” on 118th Street and 8th Avenue is being marketed as being “south of Harlem” because, according to it’s website, Harlem now starts at 125th Street and goes north.
What????
But this is the kind stuff that makes my blood boil. I can welcome new residents with open arms, but don’t come in and start trying to change the boundaries of this community and other aspects of it’s character. And yes, there was much more to Harlem’s character than drugs and crime before the newcomers.
And don’t give me the middle income argument. When you match the price of the new housing units against the present area median income, I think you’d be hard pressed to find a cop, teacher or a firefighter who could finance purchasing a unit.
I can’t speak on the purpose of the conference. Frankly, I’ve been on the other side of some of those activists when it came to my supporting some of the developments that have been erected.
But folks who only believe that nothing of value existed in Harlem before they arrived don’t get the nuances and will continue to reviled.
Harlem is more than big enough for the newcomers and the oldtimers. Oldtimers have to embrace some change and newcomers have to have some respect and drop the arrogant attitudes.
Anonymous
September 4, 2007
Investment Bankers? Most of the new developments in Harlem – especially nothern Harlem are middle income housing for teachers, police officers, firefighters and social workers.
The problem is with anti-gentrifiers is they are quick to play the race card and blame whites for coming into their neighborhood and ruining it. They think all whites are rich. This is wrong. And lots of new blacks moving into the neighborhood ARE investment bankers.
So what is the purpose of this conference? If it is about affordable housing then state that – but DO NOT state that this is about Harlem being ruined, because you have got to be blind not to see a positive change in all of Harlem.
anon
September 4, 2007
Great example of divisive language: “…some of us are concerned that it will lose it’s character because you’ve arrived.”
Harlem needs less of this “us” and “them” language. To me it sounds like you are being the “complete jerk.”
Divine1906
September 4, 2007
8:27…Stop being a complete jerk. While I often disagree with some in the activist community, I can understand their basic concern which is affordable housing. And for those of us who aren’t investment bankers with deep pockets, it is a concern. Actually, it’s a city-wide concern, not just in Harlem.
And is for dumb remark about crack, the crime rate started dropping in Harlem long before this recent wave of gentrification.
Many of you really should stop acting like you brought civilization to Harlem.
It had flavor before you got here. Even with all of it’s problems. If anything, some of us are concerned that it will lose it’s character because you’ve arrived.
Anonymous
September 3, 2007
These events are ridiculous. They are blaming everyone for turning Harlem around for the better. Lower crime, no drugs. What do these people want? Their slogan should be “Bring back the crack.” Unbelievable.