PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Braden Crooks on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity
3:12:38
·
121 sec
Braden Crooks testifies in favor of the City of Yes proposal, discussing the historical context of redlining and its impact on housing segregation and inequality in New York City and across America. He argues that the proposal would be a critical step in addressing the legacy of exclusionary housing policies.
- Crooks references an exhibit called "Undesigned, the red line" installed in City Hall, which tracks the history of redlining and structural racism in urban policies.
- He highlights how restrictive zoning practices emerged after racial discrimination in housing became illegal, perpetuating exclusion through other means.
- Crooks emphasizes that the City of Yes proposal would be the first comprehensive change to make building new housing easier across the entire city since the Fair Housing Act.
Braden Crooks
3:12:38
Hello.
3:12:39
My name is Braden Crooks, and I'm testifying in favor of City of Yes.
3:12:44
Our exhibit, Undesigned, the red line, is installed in city hall downstairs.
3:12:47
I really encourage everyone to go take a look at it, celebrating 9 years touring New York City and and the nation.
3:12:54
This exhibit tracks the history of Redlining and urban policies that design structural racism and inequality into cities and places across America.
3:13:01
Here in New York, the legacy of Redlining is clear, whether a neighborhood has experienced gentrification remains disinvested or has a history of racial exclusion.
3:13:11
Redlining maps often use the term quote unquote Negro infiltration to denote areas deemed hazardous for investment.
3:13:18
The federal housing administration would later warn of neighborhoods being, quote, invaded by undesirable racial groups.
3:13:24
They're blunt about the housing system that they've bequeath to us.
3:13:27
Property value and desirability was a measure of exclusivity.
3:13:32
A pattern of concentrated areas of poverty with mostly people of color In cities with wider, wealthier neighborhoods, and suburbs surrounding them became the norm across America.
3:13:41
And when explicit racial segregation and housing was outlawed, many areas simply stopped building much new and affordable housing at all.
3:13:49
By the 1968 for housing act, it became illegal to discriminate in housing.
3:13:54
Though that didn't end racial discrimination in real estate, it did spur an already growing movement of restrictive zoning.
3:14:01
Including single family home zoning, setback requirements, minimum square footages, and more.
3:14:06
All of this meant that little to no new housing could be built in many exclusive areas.
3:14:12
At least since the fair housing had not one comprehensive change in New York City zoning code has made it easier to build new housing across the entire city.
3:14:22
Building a little more housing in every neighborhood would be a historic break from a history of exclusion that dates back to redlining.
3:14:29
It is far from the only thing we need to do to redesign the legacy of Redlining for their fair housing, rebuild wealth in communities, and ensure everyone has the right to a home, but it is a critical step.
3:14:39
Thank you.
