#realaffordability

[occupythebronx]

In the South Bronx, Locals Respond to an Anti-Gentrification Mural

Locals Respond to an Anti-Gentrification Mural

In the southwest Bronx’s Mount Hope district, a new visual and verbal polemic against gentrification has been launched by two artists, Alberto Serrano (aka Tita Na Rua or “Tito on the Streets”) and Harlem-born, Bronx-raised graffiti artist Alfredo Bennett (aka Royal KingBee). Serrano, who is now based in Rio (which has its own pervasive housing…

View On WordPress

[occupythebronx]

Mayor de Blasio Seeks to Rebuild Momentum for Affordable Housing Plan

Mayor de Blasio Seeks to Rebuild Momentum for Affordable Housing Plan

Mayor Bill de Blasio declared that affordable housing would be the cornerstone of his second year in office, a sweeping effort to generate tens of thousands of new homes and preserve the fabric of neighborhoods in fast-gentrifying New York.

It was a signature issue for a populist mayor determined to make a more equal and inclusive city. But 11 months in, Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat, is struggling…

View On WordPress

[occupythebronx]

NYC’s “worst landlord” collected $2.7M in tax breaks, subsidies

NYC’s “worst landlord” collected $2.7M in tax breaks, subsidies

From left: 2911 Barnes Avenue in Bronxwood and Letitia James

Accused slumlord Ved Parkash, who has more than 4,000 serious housing rule violations to his name, has allegedly benefitted from millions in public subsidies and tax incentives.

The Bronx-based Parkash, who owns about 60 buildings, has collected more than $500,000 in Section 8 subsidies from the federal government over the past five…

View On WordPress

[occupythebronx]

The case for eliminating criminal probation

The case for eliminating criminal probation

Keeping people outside jail under constant surveillance serves no rehabilitative function

This summer, Todd Anthony Shaw chose jail over probation. The 49-year-old rapper more popularly known as Too $hort had failed to complete the community service portion of a 2013 sentence for a driving under the influence charge and as penalty was offered a choice between 90 days in jail or three years of…

View On WordPress