New York City is home to 8 million people. People from all walks of life, immigrants, transplants, rich, and poor come from all over, seeking a new life and opportunity to become better and a part of something great.
However, New York City is under siege from greedy landlords and developers who are more interested in the lining of their own pockets than the millions of lives that are at risk when they bring in unaffordable property. Already, New York City is home to 60,000 homeless, and that population is growing at an alarming rate. When people move in from other states, they seek the same thing the people already living here want; maximum size property for the least amount of money. However, with those people come developers seeking more opportunities to make money and to squeeze money out of anyone willing to pay. Where will that leave the single mother of three who depends on the subway to get to and from her minimum wage job that is barely paying her $1500 rent? What will happen to expanding families and newly-independent adults who need housing and will be unable to afford $3000/month?
It's beyond racism; it's class-ism. If white people were not moving into the South Bronx, money and resources would never be able to to come into those neighborhoods. Think of all the run down property in "bad neighborhoods"; they become that way to begin with because there's a lack of resources. Money isn't invested into our schools, communities or housing. Instead, the money is used to continue to improve the living conditions of upper middle-class residents who already have money. Why is it that that money can't be used to the benefit of residents already living in the area? Currently 42% of Bronx residents are living below poverty level, and 59% of children are also affected. Affordable housing is disappearing as quickly the government assistance that helps these residents pay the already unaffordable rents.
Don't let gentrification and greedy developers put us out! Let's protect the only place we call home! Sign the petition and be heard!
