Letter to the Editor

As mentioned in this week's readings, one way to mitigate the negative effects of gentrification and residential segregation is a policy that gives tax breaks and other incentives to developers of luxury housing if they agree to set aside 20% of the units for low income families. This is called "inclusionary zoning." The article about "Poor Door" on the Upper West Side describes one such development project which became highly controversial. For today's homework, white one paragraph letter to the editor of the NY Times either for OR against the "poor door." Whichever position you choose, back it up with support from any of the other articles we read for the last two weeks (e.g. the articles about housing programs in NYC; about housing segregation, "intimate segregation).

For instance, "pro" positions could emphasize how inclusionary zoning is helpful to low income people for the following reasons.... and what door they use does not change those benefits. "Con" positions can focus on how the "poor door" reinforces segregation, or is part of a bigger system that perpetuates the wealth gap. Of course, you can come up with any reasons for or against, as long as you base those arguments on the readings. The specifics of your argument are up to you.