feasibility study of a resident lec at the james weldon johnson...
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April 24, 2009Urban Planning Studio Final PresentationColumbia University in the City of New York
Victoria OkoyeMatthew D. Viggiano
Sanggyun Kang
Jungsoo KimYihong Song
Jose E. Melara
Itir B. Sonuparlak Christina Huan Dory Kornfeld
Paul James
Feasibility Study of a Resident LEC at the James Weldon Johnson Houses
Instructor: Gretchen Susi TA: Eileen Leung
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
THE STUDIO QUESTION
Can we recommend limited equity cooperative ownership for the JWJ residents as an appropriate option to address the social, economic, political and structural issues that they face in their community?
PRESENTATION ROADMAP
1. The Studio Project
2. Recap of models
3. Research design
4. Findings
5. Recommendations
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
OUR STUDIO PROJECT5
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JAMES WELDONJOHNSON HOUSES
THE LAND USE OF EAST HARLEM
SOURCE: PLUTO MAP 07, THE NEW YORK CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
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JAMES WELDONJOHNSON HOUSES
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
ISSUES AFFECTING PUBLIC HOUSING
DAY-TO-DAY LIFE ISSUES:
Funding shortfalls & management backlog
Security
NYCHA bureaucracy
POLITICAL /STRUCTURAL ISSUES:
Leadership & political engagement
Stigma surrounding public housing
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
SOCIOECONOMICS
Residents of JWJ are disproportionately
Minority Lower-income
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
Limited Equity Co-operative•Public Housing•Asset Accumulation•Ownership•
MIDTERM RECAP
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
RESEARCH DESIGN
Background research•Financial analysis•Interviews with experts on co-operatives•Focus groups•Interviews•Casual conversations•
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
PREVIOUS STUDIES
Rohe & Stegman (1992) Conversion of public housing to ownership
Sazama (2000) “Third sector” low income housing
Fuerst (1988) Tenant management of public housing
All stress technical assistance
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
C• alculating operating costs is difficult
Operating costs not covered•
There are• ways to bridge the gap
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
FOCUS GROUPS Our questions:
Do you think of JWJ as your home or is it •temporary?
What are the biggest incentives to owning your •apartment?
If residents were able to become owners, what •would change?
Would you be willing to actively participate in •the operation of your building?
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
FINDINGS
Focus group demographics•JWJ as home•Mixed feelings about NYCHA•Residents could be responsible•Incentives for financial and physical security•Upsetting rumor•Current conditions need change•Overall optimism•
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
SPECTRUM OF LIFE AT JWJ
•Optimismforownershipvs. Lack of interest•Communityvs. Isolation•Oldervs. Younger respondents
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
RESIDENT OBSTACLES TO OWNERSHIP
Change attitudes•Low rates of •participationLong duration of •processAging population•
Language barriers•Lack of unity•Fear•NYCHA support•Physical condition•Disenfranchisement•
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
POLITICAL OBSTACLES TO OWNERSHIP
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
RECOMMENDATIONS Build capacity gradually•Education, organization, empowerment•Small-scale, achievable projects•Statement of principles•Technical assistance•Improve the quality of life•Longer term: resident management•
Our Project Recap Research Findings Recommendations
REALIzING THERECOMMENDATIONS
Create system to support increased resident involvement•Identify sources of outside support•
POTENTIAL SOURCES OF SUCH SUPPORT:Elected officials•Universities and research centers like UTAP and CURP•Nonprofit organizations like Urban Homesteading •Assistance Board and Community Voices Heard
THANK YOU!