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Democracy for NYC (DFNYC) is committed to the ideals espoused by Democracy for America, the organization founded by Howard Dean, and the national network of local coalition groups dedicated to the same.

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Sign Our Petition to Developers Against "Poor Doors"

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Written by Tracey Keij-Denton
Category: Take Action
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We are teaming up with Democracy for America against "poor doors" in NYC residential buildings. Click here to go to the petition and voice your support! 

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Sign On to Stop "Poor Doors" By Real Estate Developers
 
Extell, a firm that is one of the most active real estate developers building residential property in New York City, recently got approval from a New York City agency to build a "poor door" in one of their new buildings - a separate entrance for residents in affordable apartments.
 
City zoning laws, which are designed in part to ensure that there is enough housing for middle and working class New Yorkers, provide generous incentives to developers if they build a certain percentage of "affordable" apartments, units that will be available to people at or below the median income level. Extell, the developer of a new building at Riverside and 64th Street, decided that the new tower would have a main entrance for market-rate tenants on the Hudson River side of the building, and, a separate entrance for tenants in affordable units on the street side. Extell is not the only developer engaging in this practice, which critics call "poor doors."
 
One of the principles behind our city's zoning laws is promoting economic diversity and equal opportunity. When developers get the tax credits and other benefits of building affordable housing and then separate those tenants into two classes by installing different entrances, they have violated the principles of fair housing that we strive to protect in New York City.
 
The loophole that allows poor doors was part of a large zoning bill that many elected officials, including Bill de Blasio, supported in 2009, because there were many great provisions in the bill for middle class housing and it was likely unclear how the language with regard to separate entrances would play out. Recently, we were pleased to hear that several officials, including Mayor de Blasio, came out against poor doors and are looking into reforming this loophole.
 
Democracy for NYC, the local coalition group of Democracy for America, will be delivering this petition to Extell and other developers that seek to install poor doors, or lobby to insert loopholes into zoning language that allow poor doors.

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A local coalition group of Democracy for America since 2004

Democracy for NYC (DFNYC) is committed to the ideals espoused by Democracy for America, the organization founded by Howard Dean, and the national network of local coalition groups dedicated to the same.

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