NYCHA tenants cope with aftermath of flooding
A month later, tenants deal with mold and bureaucratic delays.
Housing/Development
Trash piles up after NYCHA loses contractor
Residents say the rotting debris has created a stench, and attracted rats and flies inside both public apartments and the surrounding private homes.
Funding announced for new housing developments
The Bronx Borough President’s office has allocated more than $3 million in capital funding for five housing developments, including $800,000 for The Peninsula on Spofford Avenue in Hunts Point and $500,000 for a new development at 111 Willow Avenue in Port Morris.
Betances Houses hosts second annual Green Day
Dozens of residents from local housing projects came together on June 29 in order to promote anti-violence for young people at the second annual Green Day, a community effort to plant flowers and improve local gardens.
NYCHA resident fights for community garden
The goal is to convert the former garden space in the center of the Mill Brook Houses complex into an active community garden with produce, flowers, a seating area and educational programs.
Bronxites push back against proposed rent hikes
The NYC Rent Guidelines Board is considering an increase of 0.75% and 2.75% for one-year lease renewals, and 1.75% to 3.75% for two-year renewals. Tenants packed a public hearing at Hostos Community College on June 11 to tell the nine-member board that that those hikes are too high, and they may not be able to pay them.
Waterfront development proposals stir concern
The rush is on to develop a 13-acre, state-owned site on the Harlem River waterfront in Port Morris. So far, two ambitious proposals have been leaked to the media—one calling for a soccer stadium and 550 apartments, the other calling for 2,000 units. Both would include retail and community space. But environmental advocates and City Councilwoman Diana Ayala say that neither proposal is good for residents.
Local church group stumps for NYCHA budget boost
On May 14, organizers from Metro IAF affiliate South Bronx Churches led Councilman Rafael Salamanca through two NYCHA apartments in his district that exemplify worst of the city’s public housing, one in Union Avenue Consolidated and the other in Melrose Houses.