Build Affordable Communities, Not Just Affordable Housing, Says Local Architecture Firm
Summary
“It is immensely gratifying to see a politician who understands the needs of all New Yorkers and who recognizes the critical role that housing plays in creating safe neighborhoods and sustainable communities.” In the early 1990’s, residents of the South Bronx were in danger of losing their homes and their community because of a New York City-sponsored redevelopment plan that made no provisions for those who had remained through the difficult years of widespread arson, drugs, and crime.“It is immensely gratifying to see a politician who understands the needs of all New Yorkers and who recognizes the critical role that housing plays in creating safe neighborhoods and sustainable communities.”In the early 1990’s, residents of the South Bronx were in danger of losing their homes and their community because of a New York City-sponsored redevelopment plan that made no provisions for those who had remained through the difficult years of widespread arson, drugs, and crime.MAP believes that all neighborhoods in New York City should have Community Improvement Districts, with an architect or planner to support them.Some examples include MAP’s recently completed project, Atlantic Terrace in Brooklyn, NY.This mixed-income, mixed-use LEED Gold-certified project reflects its local residents by offering a mix of low-, middle- and market rate apartments.Currently under construction is Schoolhouse Terrace, the first phase of a master plan to transform an older public housing site in Yonkers into a new affordable and sustainable community of mixed-income/mixed-use buildings that will re-integrate it into its larger neighborhood.In Bushwick, MAP just completed a 20-acre rezoning on the former Rheingold Brewery site that will allow a new mixed-income/mixed-use community with approximately 1,000 apartments – 24% of which will be affordable.Integrating healthcare with housingThe Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) initiative is a New York State program that brings medical services directly to people where they live.Sponsored by Governor Cuomo, MRT increases the quality of life for low-income, high-need Medicaid recipients, while reducing the costs to New York State.MAP’s Creston Avenue Residence in the Fordham section of the Bronx is the first project to be built under the MRT’s Housing Capital Program.