Separate entrances for the rich and poor? New York City says yes. This is not a joke.
Manhattan has increasingly become a billionaire’s playground and the income inequality capital of America. In an effort to bring more affordable housing to the tony borough, the city allows developers to build larger projects if they also provide some low-income housing.
And so, one developer of an Upper West Side skyscraper was approved for 33 stories and 219 units, of which 55 will be affordable units overlooking the street. Those renting or buying market-value apartments will have views of the waterfront.
So far so good. With great wealth comes a great apartment. We all accept that.
However, this developer went further. It sought, and was granted, a separate “poor door.” The building will feature a separate entrance for affordable housing tenants, who make 60 percent or less than the median income.
Segregation continues
Most of the wealthy residents will be white. Most of the low-income residents will be people of color.
And so, segregation rears its ugly head again. Or, more accurately in the case of housing, it never really left us. While New York City admirably creates housing integration with high- and low-end earners living in the same building, it now shields the rich from any possible icky interactions with their poor neighbors on the short walk from sidewalk to elevator.
We need more interaction, not less
What exactly is the problem with the rich having to use the same entry as their working class neighbors?
Poverty isn’t contagious. And some of the best people I’ve known have been low income folks: teachers, firefighters, those who devote their lives to activism and nonprofit work.
Some of the most obnoxious people I’ve ever met are very wealthy: big law firm partners, hedge fund managers, trust fund kids with their astonishing sense of entitlement.
Of course there’s kindness and cruelty in every group, regardless of skin color or bank account. People you want to strangle for their nonexistent social skills, and those who take a moment to smile, say hello and remember your name.
What’s most repulsive about the city’s approval of the separate entrances is the implication that it’s an affront to the rich to have to walk through a lobby alongside a neighbor who struggles to make ends meet. Don’t we need more interaction with people who are different from us, not less?
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Avvo.
11 comments
Carrie Brown
This seem to me servants through the back. Here we go again racism. Not back door to it put right so all can see with the government blessing. They not we all are people body's work the same way as these racist one who thought this was all right. Your clot dose not make you better.
Lauryn
This allegation is old news already, but the separate entrance for the low income housing section is REQUIRES BY LAW because a nonprofit or other organization may take over running it in the future and will need the separate entrance to do so. This is NOT about segregation or any other ugly intentions. Stop crying wolf and look into the reasons behind actions before making accusations like this.
Real American
Ahhh … Lisa bloom… rich pampered white hypocrite stoking the class warfare AS she lives behind big fences and at a distance from the hoi poi that she eggs on
David Charles
There must be some tax loophole,break,incentive,bail out etc and you know the rich need stuff like that,is it you have to have a certain number of affordable type units to get these breaks and bail outs then you can do your luxury units and make gazillions of dollhairs and on to the next sham.America land of the scams and shams.
dc
My question is why is the building a mixed bag?There must be some tax/incentive for having a certain number of affordable housing units and once you get the break[and the rich need breaks]then you do the other luxury units and make millions of dollars.Or maybe its a non-profit,that profits.
Deborah Gallo
How do I get leagl help with my case against Boston scientific I had a implant the simulator put in my back it caused nerve damages to my back
Danielle Post
Hi Deborah, it sounds like you have a legal question that would be best answered by an attorney in our free Q&A forum. Attorneys do not provide advice through our blog, but they do in the forum, usually within the first day or two of posting. All questions are open to answers for seven days. You can post your questions here when you’re ready: http://www.avvo.com/ask-a-lawyer. Avvo also offers a wealth of legal information in our Knowledge Base here: http://www.avvo.com/free-legal-advice. I hope this is helpful! Kindly, Danielle
Lisa Minatrea
We live in Texas and my Mom has Alzheimers, does medicare pay most of the cost for a facility to take care of her. My brothers say that they pay very little, but I thinks my brothers are scamming my folks. My folks are in their 80's.
Danielle Post
Hi Lisa, It sounds like you have several legal questions that would be best answered by an attorney in our free Q&A forum. Attorneys do not provide advice through our blog, but they do in the forum, usually within the first day or two of posting. All questions are open to answers for seven days. You can post your questions here when you're ready: http://www.avvo.com/ask-a-lawyer. Avvo also offers a wealth of legal information in our Knowledge Base here: http://www.avvo.com/free-legal-advice. I hope this is helpful! Kindly, Danielle
Kween KleoKatra
Are You Kidding Me? In a time when our focus should be on harmony to evolve ourselves as a species...I am appalled by this story to the enth degree.
Peggy Hill
This article hits me hard. Please keep us informed because it is challenging to did thru the cloud of paperwork in building and safety in any city. While I try, sometimes I miss some things.