This week, we asked readers their opinion on a housing lottery, described as affordable, announced by NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development and developed by Joel Mandel under the 114 East 198 BSD, LLC, for units at 114 East 198^th Street in Bedford Park. In order to be eligible to apply, applicants for a studio apartment are required to earn over $105,223 a year and pay a monthly rent of $3,069.

 

HPD officials say housing is considered affordable if it costs about one-third or less of what the people living in the local area earn. Income eligibility and rent for City-financed affordable housing projects are based on a measure called Area Median Income (AMI).

 

The AMI for all cities across the country is defined each year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 2023 AMI for the New York City region is $127,100 for a three-person family (100% AMI).

 

“Honestly, I’m not saying that’s low-income housing, but I think that the struggles we all have, if a person doesn’t have three jobs nowadays, you’re not going to earn that type of income. No, it’s not low-income housing. As an American, I see our people will help people from other countries before they help us.”

Jessica Concepcion,

Burnside

“I do consider that low-income housing, especially how times are now. However, I remember a point in time when it was way cheaper than it is now because the government did things that they’re not allowed to do now. And one of the biggest things is they keep raising our taxes and that’s pushing up inflation.”

Richard Lowery,

Highbridge

 

“Wow! And that is affordable housing? No, that’s not affordable housing. That is expensive housing here in New York. No one in my neighborhood earns over $100,000. As a matter of fact, I’m going for a job interview, and it starts at $60,000 a year. Most of my friends make under $100,000. That’s unfair housing and business practices and we, the people, are standing up against these unfair business practices in the development of housing.”

Kim Antonio,

Concourse

“That’s not acceptable because $100,000 is not low-income. I don’t know how they’re determining $100,000 as low-income. I don’t know how they’re calculating that based on how much everyone else makes in the neighborhood. I think it’s taking advantage of the real estate opportunities here, and I don’t know anyone who makes over $100,000, so that’s not fair. They need to make housing more affordable; one popular way is to increase taxes on the wealthy.”

Dorothea Dwomoh,

Bedford Park

 

“I don’t think that’s low-income housing. For real affordable housing, you must ensure that people have the support they need. I feel like it’s too much and too costly. We’re living through times where I sadly see some people on the streets. If they build more housing, it can’t be gentrified and displace people, and it should benefit everyone. Our elected officials must address this issue swiftly and accordingly.”

Osei Dwomoh,

Bedford Park

 

HPD announced on Oct. 31 that a new housing lottery just launched for units at Phase II of Bedford Green House, located 2880 Jerome Avenue in Bedford Park. Read some of our recent stories on affordability and availability here and here.