Gentrification in NYCHA

In Smith Housing Gentrification is taking place. There is a new lease change that will come in affect in July 2018. People who are wealthy are trying to turn the NYCHA development into luxury housing ; from low class to middle class. People with money can’t just kick people out of their homes however they can come up with different strategies that will cause minorities to get themselves kicked out of their homes.

The lease change notice in Smith Housing is on the walls of the lobbies. The notice is informing residents that it will now be against NYCHA rules to smoke weed, cigarettes, and hookah in the housing development. It is also illegal to smoke these substances around the building, residents must now stand at least 25 ft away. Also anyone who is visiting and does not follow the regulations the resident of the visitor will be held responsible. If this new lease change rule is broken it can affect people’s home in the NYCHA development.

Furthermore, in a New York Daily News article it states NYCHA doesn't want to inform residents about the renovation plan. When NYCHA does give insight on the plan they give general information. The renovation plan includes very little affordable housing for the tenants who already reside there. If tenants can’t afford rent then they will be unable to live in the newly renovated buildings.

Resident April Woodard from Smith Houses NYCHA development says “I see gentrification. A great deal of people will move south because Smith will become expensive. The south will migrate north, certain regulations are being put in place. Many people stop loitering around the Smith Houses. Different businesses are coming in like starbucks. Blended families are starting to migrate even more to Smith from different states.” Woodard also stated “people are trying to make New York city high maintenance; that’s what they want ” .

In an interview with a man from the lower east side housing he states “Gentrification isn’t taking place, they want to take down the parking lot and put buildings there. Even if gentrification was taking place it would be the best thing that ever happened to you because you would own a percentage. They can’t just throw people out; you would be a homeowner you

would own a percentage. The co-op across the street use to be low income.”

Former Mayor Bloomberg said, “ if you want to have NYCHA buildings improved safe and clean and where things function, you’re going to have to have money from some place”. Bloomberg is implying that NYCHA is dangerous, dysfunctional, and dirty. The developer’s want to make low income non-existent. Developer’s want to provide something better for New York especially Manhattan. Gentrification is slowly but certainly taking place in NYCHA developments ; if developer’s continue investing money in rural areas then they will no longer be poor areas. Property developer’s are quietly planning to buy NYCHA . If residents want to stay in NYCHA then they need to follow all new regulations so that they won’t be evicted; if residents aren’t falling for the manipulation gentrification more than likely won’t fully take place. It’s up to the residents to see the trick and not fall victim to it .