New York as a Magnificent Catastrophe - Assignment Example

 New York as a Magnificent Catastrophe Introduction The French architect Le Corbusier once described New York as "a magnificent catastrophe." This is because of the housing challenges it has faced since the 1970’s.Despite the challenges, New York State also has come up with the innovations and reforms in the housing sector. New York has been the pioneer of housing units like tenement houses, and its rent regulation persisted for a very long time despite the social and cultural changes witnessed (Plunz, 1990). A ten-year housing policy coined by Mayor Koch saw a lot of capital injected into providing housing units for all residents of New York. Large companies were also called on board to solve this menace over the years, to build and to assist the government to upgrade these housing units. The government and those in the housing sector continue to address the different issues challenging them in this sector to date. (furmancenter.org) A story captured in the New York times of a couple whose basement was destroyed by city officials only tells to what extent the problem has escalated in the recent past. Illegal conversions have been purported to be crimes as the victims pay dearly. In the case of the Sarkars, they lost tenants, paid fines and destroyed the unit they had converted and upgraded for their tenant. City inspectors have been seen to use force to evict and destroy cellars and basement apartments as it is against the law to live in such. Reasons given to these include safety and health issues. (Navarro, 2013) The question therefore is how do we reform the policy to fit and incorporate all stakeholders in this struggle? Different stakeholders have views on what to be done to make this situation bearable for all. Stakeholder’s analysis Stakeholder New York City Department of Planning Population Division New York City Department of City Planning New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Residents Description/Position This body estimates the demographic data of residents and housing units This body works closely with communities as per the city planning initiatives The position of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is to evaluate properties and the eligibility of the area. These are tenants and landlords who have been inconvenienced by the rigid housing policy Source of Influence The population surge and the effects it has on housing The influence of this body is drawn from the already established plans available. Concerned with the architecture and historical status of the city. In this case proper housing units Landlords have experienced loss while tenants have been evicted from their premises find the policy unfair. Explanation of the Problem Scarcity of affordable housing in the city has shot up and therefore increasing number of illegal basement apartments. The already existing plans fail to capture the needs of everyone. Therefore not everyone is entitled to a house. This presents a great challenge to many New Yorkers who cannot afford legal housing units, thus opt for the illegal housing units. The commission finds fault with the cellars and basement apartments because of lack of proper ventilation and a myriad of safety measures at stake. The existing policy has caused problems to the residents. Apart from the loss the rents are very high therefore tenants cannot afford the houses that are ‘legal’ Perception of Crisis Concerned with the population surge however existing policies do not offer solutions to provide proper housing for all. Believes that the body does its best to incorporate everyone in their programs. However not all are reached as there are many people living in illegal housing units. Believes that by facing out the units the population will be safer. They are blind to the plight of the people who cannot afford affordable housing Believe that the law is constricting and unfair to them. Their rights are being infringed upon. Proximity to Problem Sees the problem partially Sees a problem with the law Sees no problem with the law Sees a problem with the law Ability to Fix Problem This body is put in a tricky situation as it is not concerned with regulating the population increase but also are in a position to improve the situation of homeless people through supporting the amendment of policy Provide adequate resources for affordable housing units for the poor. Since there is no problem there is no need to amend the policy Are to seek platforms upon which their voices will be heard Ends Desired See all new York people in proper housing units Proper housing for the community poor Keep the law as it is Safe cellars and basements should be accessible to reduce refurbishment of unsafe illegal appartments Definition/Measure of Success change law to solve the underlying issues The policy should be amended and funds provided to make the ‘illegal’ dwellings secure Law should ensure equity for all residents in New York Proper and affordable housing is needed to face out the problem. Essential to Solution? Should support law to ensure equal opportunities for all. Supports the amendment therefore offering better chances for victims involved Does not Support the amendment presenting a challenge for the adoption of this policy. Support the policy change because it directly affects them. The client should learn that there are several opposing views regarding the legalization of basement apartments. Nevertheless, safety must be the number one priority, protecting the public is what matters in this scenario. In addition, financial assistance has to be provided to cater for the needs of individuals .Flexibility in thinking is also required because all the stakeholders mandates overlap each other.Therefore,regardless of the existing rigid policies ,they should be in a position to favor the amendment of this noble idea to face out the issue of illegal basement apartments occupancy. This change will see the near end of a fight against the illegal basement appartments issue in the city that has been seen over the years. Options Specification. Options Asthma free housing policy. Issuing of rental permit policy. Yearly remodeling and maintenance policy. Provide adequate finances for building affordable housing for the underprivileged Description of Policy Change Part of the challenge in this policy is health .Eradicating all manner of pests will reduce disease infection rates Inspection before declaring the units safe and authorizing these units is key because of the health and safety issues Remodeling ensures that the units meet stated health and safety standards Adequate financing will enable building and remodeling suitable units Implementation Responsibility Legislators hold this responsibility Legislators hold this responsibility Legislators hold this responsibility Planning and housing sector officials Mechanism of Effect Highly effective Highly effective Highly effective Highly effective Cost Costs incurred Costs incurred Costs incurred Costs incurred Legal Requirements Not complex as it will effect change Not complex as it will effect change Not complex as it will effect change Not complex as it will effect change Position of 1st Stakeholder New York City Department of Planning Population Division supports this New York City Department of Planning Population Division supports this New York City Department of Planning Population Division supports this New York City Department of Planning Population Division supports this Position of 2nd New York Stakeholder New York City Department of City Planning supports this policy New York City Department of City Planning supports this policy New York City Department of City Planning supports this policy Supports this if on conditions that resource are available Position of 3rd Stakeholder City Landmarks Preservation Commission may not support this policy New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission may not support this policy Supports the remodeling Does not support this policy Position of 4th stakeholder Residents support this kind of change Residents support this kind of change Residents support this kind of change Support this policy Degree of Consensus There is a likelihood that the stakeholders will support this policy There is a likelihood that the stakeholders will support this policy Stakeholders are in favor of this kind of change There is a likelihood that the stakeholders will support this policy The options presented in the above table seem to favor this policy change. Asthma free housing policy will ensure that all manner of pests e.g. cockroaches and rats will be dealt with to ensure that the inhabitants of a place deemed ‘illegal’ is safe in terms of health. The second option dictates that in order for one to live in a cellar or basement apartment they need a permit usually given after inspection of the place. This is to ensure that it meets the right standards. The third option is on remodeling of the units and its significance is that the standards of the units are maintained to ensure safety and health. The final policy, which is to provide adequate finances, ensures that everyone gets a roof over their head if the policy is passed. Option assessment Options option 1 option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Description of policy change Asthma free housing policy Issuing of rental permit policy Yearly remodeling and maintenance policy Provide adequate finances for building affordable housing for the underprivileged Political Feasibility Not all politicians will favor this option because of different interests Not all politicians will favor this option because of different interests Not all politicians will favor this option because of different interests Not all politicians will favor this option because of different interests Administrative Feasibility Very simple Simple simple A bit complex because of the availability of funds Financial Feasibility Will definitely incur some costs No costs incurred Costs incurred but will prevent illegal basement apartments situation Lots of costs will be incurred but will help to reduce number of people residing in illegal basement apartments Equity Will ensure equity for all people Will ensure equity for all people Will ensure equity for all people Will ensure equity for all people Effectiveness Highly effective Highly effective Highly effective Highly effective Summary Ranking It is most likely to be passed It is most likely to be passed It is most likely to be passed It is most likely to be passed. Two situations fall in this scenario. The political side may not favor these policies because of their different interests. However if they look at the effectiveness of these policies they may be obliged to pass the amendments. If they are seeking to address an issue that has been recurring over the years then am of the opinion that they should agree to pass the policies. The policies may be coupled with challenges but are the best changes that could be made at this particular moment. Recommendations I would advise the client to help the housing officials at the top most notches to see reason. First of all the amended policy will aim to clear people from illegal basements appartments and help, them avoid dilapidated conditions of living. These institutions charged with the responsibility of providing homes will be carrying out their mandate successfully. However, the officials need to amend the policy so that they see all these changes take effect. Pumping capital into projects that only cater for luxury apartments may seem better because of the benefits accrued, however the bulk of people are living in the streets, how about using these resources to build good homes that will house the thousands of homeless people and settle a recurring issue in all regimes since independence? If amended, I would advise the client to inspect these units to ensure quality homes for all people at all times so that the city may not plunge itself in another cycle of poor people, who cannot afford safe housing units. The rents should also be subsidized for these people living in the units to ensure affordability. This policy should also favor two or three unrelated people living together to cut on costs of living and subsidize the units cost or better still build cheaper units for the poor . The rent guidelines should be revised to accommodate the requirements of those who reside in rental houses, especially those who wish to share their premises. No situation will be solved if the government and housing stakeholders are rallied against the common person this will only present a cat and mouse chase between the authorities and the citizens (Navarro, 2013). References Navarro, M. (2013, October 13). Looser Rules on Illegal Housing Sought. The New York Times. Retrieved March 6, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/14/nyregion/looser-rules-on-illegal-housing-sought.html?pagewanted=all NYC Housing Maintenance Code. (n.d.).NYC Housing Maintenance Code. Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://tenant.net/Other_Laws/HMC/sub3/art Plunz, R. (1990). A history of housing in New York City: Dwelling type and social change in the American metropolis. New York: Columbia University Press. Uncertainty in Housing Prices as 2013 Ends. (n.d.). www.chpcny.org. Retrieved March 5, 2014, from http://furmancenter.org/files/publications/AH Read More