Special Talk: How Low Income Housing Became Affordable Housing

“Affordable housing is a scam.” That’s what a lot of New Yorkers say about the apartments that are income restricted at a lower rental rate. That’s because sometimes they are very expensive. Studios for $2500 in Astoria, $3000 in Prospect Heights and $2100 in the Bronx have all been affordable housing listings.

New York City Planning Commissioner Leah Goodridge will give a special talk about the history of how low income housing became affordable housing. Commissioner Goodridge, appointed by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, spent 12 years as a tenants’ rights lawyer representing low income New Yorkers in eviction proceedings. In 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed her to the NYC Rent Guidelines Board where she successfully fought for rent freezes.  Commissioner Goodridge is a native of Brownsville, Brooklyn and isn’t scared to fight gentrification and displacement. Join this incredible talk to learn about what’s happening in Brooklyn and NYC and how tenants can fight back. 
 

 

"How to Create Efficient Cities" is a new series of community conversations with City Planning Commissioners and urban planners curated by Commissioner Leah Goodridge to explore urban planning concepts.  View the full series here at bklynlib.org/efficient-cities.