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BY LETISIA ROMERO | I have lived in the Elliott-Chelsea NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) Houses for 50 years. I lived in other areas as a young adult and then moved back to help my mom. I know first-hand, the beauty and chaos of this community, and I can relate to many of the stories I am about to share with you. Most of these interviews were done one-on-one. Others were taken from people walking by or sitting outside in front of their building.

I interviewed many people from the community– some of whom live here [at Elliott-Chelsea Houses] and others who do not. They were as young as 18 and as old as 84. I asked questions related to their feelings about demolition, displacement, and environmental issues. Some are ready to receive change with open arms but are afraid to say anything due to persecution from the ones who oppose it. It was difficult for me to get names and quotes. It’s sad, but true.

DEMOLITION | Most of the people I spoke with are against demolition. They would rather keep the buildings and renovate the apartments. Many of them don’t want to lose their apartments or leave the community where they’ve lived for so long.

However, you have another group of people who want to see change because the buildings are so old that they need major repairs–like new elevators, pipes, and electrical wiring. Some of them, including the elders, want change in their communities but are afraid to speak out because of fear. Two of them stated they were tired of the broken elevators not working.

DISPLACEMENT | Many of the residents want to stay and have their apartments renovated. They do not want to start over in another community at their age. Then there are others willing to relocate to another neighborhood or a nice, new building.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES | Everyone is concerned about the environment and how it will affect them once they begin the demolition. The air pollution is a major concern with residents who are suffering from autoimmune diseases, lung issues like asthma, and other health complications. People from outside the community are concerned about the noise and air pollution that demolition would bring.

Maribel Rodriguez lives in the 450 West 27th Drive building. I asked her how she felt about privatizing NYCHA buildings (a for-profit company would become the management).

Maribel: I really believe that we don’t need it [privatising] because we have Section 9, which benefits us. I think our buildings; the foundation is good. It could be renovated and fixed. I’m against demolition.

Letisia: Are there any other things that concern you?

Maribel: Yes, our health. There’s a lot of elderlies [tenants]. How are they going to move us out of here? Are they going to displace us? All this pollution. I’m sick. I have asthma and I just fear for my health.

Felix Montes is a senior who lives at 288 10th Avenue (an Elliott-Chelsea building). He is very concerned about where they will be placing him while demolition is going on. 

Letisia: So, Felix, how do you feel about the privatization of NYCHA?

Felix: I don’t like it at all, because when they build, when that brand new company takes over, we’re going to be out of here because we’re poor. We cannot afford to pay the rent.

Letisia: How do you feel about the demolition, about them knocking down the buildings?

Felix: I disagree with it. This whole building can be fixed… They’re going to move the people out and they don’t want to bring it [the tenants] back.

Letisia: Anything else you want to add?

Felix: I believe there should be one person in charge of this, because what they’re doing is, moving the poor people out of here. They don’t want the poor here. They want the people that can afford to pay three or four thousand dollars rent. We can’t afford it.

Letisia: Thank you, Felix.

Felix:  You’re welcome.

Hope Ortiz is a resident of 450 West 27th Drive.

Letisia: So what do you think about the privatization of these buildings?

Hope: I think they should just tear it down and rebuild because of all the damaged elevators and the pipe repairs that we’ve all had to go through. And I also believe it’s fair to the pets–to come live in a new space, and instead of having to live in this dirty place where there’s cigarette burns and pee and blood everywhere.

Letisia: So you want them to rebuild, and so you’re for the demolition?

Hope: Yes, yes.

Letisia: All right. So you’re not afraid of the pollution, like everybody’s complaining about that–that wouldn’t bother you?

Hope: It wouldn’t. I’m not that scared about it, but I think that it would be better than having all this drama, fighting, and having to worry like, what happens if there is an emergency, noise complaints and stuff like that? What happens? So, yes, I’m for tearing it down.

Letisia: And how old are you, Hope?

Hope: 18. (laughs)

Letisia: Eighteen, all right. Here we have our young people. All right. Okay, Hope, thank you.

Anthony Valdez lives at 450 West 27th Drive.

Letisia: So how do you feel, Anthony, about the privatization of NYCHA’s Elliott Houses?

Anthony: I prefer it being run by the City, not by private industry. Why is it that private industry can basically do what they want?

Letisia: Are you for or against the demolition?

Anthony: Demolition. We’ll get brand new buildings. The buildings we live in now only have one elevator. That can be a problem as you get older. So basically, right now, it’s not a big deal for the elevator to be out–but just say I get really old and I need [to use] a wheelchair. I’m screwed, literally.

Tracy Colon is a resident of 450 West 27th Drive who feels that the City could get funding to repair all apartments and buildings without privatizing.

Letisia: So Tracy, what do you think about the privatization of NYCHA Elliott-Chelsea Houses?

Tracy: That’s not the point in having City housing… The whole point is that it makes it more accessible for the community, for lower-income people who need to live here. It provides a safe–or should provide–a safe, comfortable home. Demolition, that is a joke. The demonstration they’re showing us [depictions of new dwellings] is that you’re going to fit five buildings’ [capacity] into one new building, supposedly. There’s going to be all these amenities, but why do you have to go private to do that? And how are we to trust that you’re just going to move this whole community out of these buildings and that they’re all going to get access [to the new apartments]? It just doesn’t sound right.

Christopher Dietz is a senior–a 450 West 27th Drive resident who hasn’t been to any informational meetings because of his health issues. I asked him how he feels about privatization.

Christopher: What are they going to do the projects? If they’re going to tear it [the buildings] down, where are they going to send us? To a nicer place or a worse place? … So if it stays the same and they move you to a nicer place, you got no problem with you. But if they raise the rent and then you have to pay electricity, then it’s going to be a problem, right? So they move us to a nice place…as long as it’s nice and the rent is the same, okay. But if they charge us more money, forget it.

Letisia: How do you feel if they just renovate the apartments and fix the plumbing and stuff like that, without demolition?

Christopher: If they fix up the whole building, everything new? That wouldn’t be bad.

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