COMMUNITY DISSIDENCE
Housing in New York has been a long term cause for political activism. Since the Great Depression, the housing dissidence has been effective in ensuring the rights of residents in the city. Since 2010, there has been a 70% increase in homelessness,
of which many are young families. There is public outrage at the Mayor for prioritising investors’ profits over residents’ needs, such as the releasing of land for the Hudson Yards development.
of which many are young families. There is public outrage at the Mayor for prioritising investors’ profits over residents’ needs, such as the releasing of land for the Hudson Yards development.
Whilst the 1987 Act forces the city to house people, the system has been proven to be ineffective, creating stigma and a lack of trust for those services. It is estimated there are 114,000 children without a permanent home, leading to ‘chronic’ absences from school, affecting their education and social development. It is argued that this leads to an increased likelihood of criminal and antisocial behaviour later on. Given the psychological and physical toll on these children, the community has come together to fight for them, and give them a better chance in life.
This scheme is to become the base of operations for this movement, and partners with the charity Covenant House, to further the political action. The building itself will be an act of dissidence, providing shelter and security for children, where local government has failed. The project consists of three parts: recording the stories of past injustices; act as a platform for change, where policymakers can engage with residents and exhibit the challenges; and lastly, provide initial support for children, through play, supplementary education and washing facilities, giving them a sense of home and family, thus potentially ending the cycle of poverty and hardship.
