In late February, New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo rallied against privatization in an attempt to preserve affordable housing at 21 St. James Place Tower. The development was established in 1969 under the Mitchell-Lama Program. The Mitchell-Lama program has been responsible for thousands of affordable housing rentals and cooperative living developments around the five boroughs. The privatization would mean that the development would go from public to privately owned. The developers who buy out 21 St. James Place would be able to do what they want with the property.
Cumbo and many other representatives and supporters gathered to protest against the privatization and reconstruction of 21 St. James Place, which would mean many of its existing tenants could be bought out due to gentrification and rising rent. “After nearly fifty years of affordability, the shareholders of the St. James Place Towers must now make a tremendously difficult decision that will impact the outlook of Clinton Hill for future generations. As gentrification continues to displace long-term area residents, the Mitchell-Lama program is among the few counteractive measures that currently exists to preserve affordable housing for middle-income families. Privatization undermines our city’s commitment to New Yorkers of all background – affordability for all. We must make every attempt to preserve these housing opportunities and ensure that middle-income families can continue to thrive within an ever-changing community,” said Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo.
Why is this important? According to Kingscounty.com, since the initial buy-out in 1989 of the Mitchell-Lama properties, about 19,622 rental and co-op units have withdrawn from the program. Keeping affordable co-ops in the area would mean residents who have lived in a specific area can afford to stay.
In order to stop the privatization of 21 St. James Place the Department of Housing Preservation and Development needed 3 shareholder votes. On Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, residents of 21 St. James Place voted to keep the development with the Mitchell-Lama Program. In a recent press release, Cumbo stated, “I was proud to organize our local elected officials, shareholders, clergy and members of the community to voice our concerns about losing affordable housing in New York City…In a rapidly gentrifying community, this historic vote was a victory for the longtime residents who built this community and it will ensure that they will have a home in the near and long-term future.”
Congratulations to Clinton Hill!
