Just when I think I have heard just about everything when it comes to ways to discriminate, I am shocked and amazed with new and very obvious discriminatory practices.
Extell Development Company, a real estate developer in New York City received approval to build a luxury high-rise condo building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with separate entry for lower income residents. The building, now under construction, will reportedly have 219 units for high-income renters and about 55 apartments for low-income residents. The company is including the affordable apartments to take advantage of a housing program called the Inclusionary Housing Program, which allows developers who provide low-income housing to build larger properties in the city and take advantage of tax incentives. The more affordable units will be provided to families of four whose annual income is $51,540 or less— approximately 60 percent of the area’s median income, largely people of color and women.
The request for the “poor door” was approved by the City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
In addition to a separate entrance, the Inclusionary Housing Program tenants are not allowed to use building amenities such as the gym, swimming pool or basketball court.
What part of any of this is “inclusionary”? It sounds very exclusionary to me. In 2014, we can still legislate to treat people differently based on income/socioeconomic status? I know that it happens all of the time but to develop explicit policy to blatantly discriminate is unconscionable. I understand that these exclusionary practices are not uncommon in NYC real estate. I am pleased that this issue is getting so much media attention and I am hopeful that the pressure will lead to the rescinding of these ridiculous restrictions on the lower income tenants.
