Model of Mariners Harbor Houses in Staten Island (Week of 2/5)

The housing project that grabbed my attention the most was the Model of the Mariners Harbor Houses at Mariners Harbor, Staten Island. This specific housing project intrigued me the most because I am from Staten Island and I did not even know that this housing project exists right where I live. Courtesy of the New York City Housing Authority, the Mariners Harbor Housing Development is the first project to be designed “under Title I guidelines” on Staten Island. Even though this development is a “walk-up” building, it is also elevator equipped which makes it ideal for elderly or handicapped renters. I was really pleased to see a housing project on Staten Island because I think the apartments might be more affordable on Staten Island since it is farther away from Manhattan than the other boroughs. However, just as a response to the exhibit, I am afraid that the idea of “affordable housing” is appealing to lower middle class/middle class renters. I went into the exhibit thinking that the these housing projects would be able to accommodate renters below middle class, especially to reduce the growing homeless problem in New York City. However, many of the developments looked expensive and modern. And ideally, I want these affordable housing projects to be in nice neighborhoods and be of nice quality, especially to prevent neighborhoods from developing into projects, or feel like projects, but the housing has to be affordable. What good is an affordable housing project if it is not meant for people who need it or who cannot afford to pay that rent. I am afraid that some of these housing projects might just be creating a wider gap between the poor and rich. By making housing more affordable to the middle class, those below middle class are still left in poorer neighborhoods and less-quality housing.