Monday, December 24, 2007

Niche Housing

Although not part of Flatbush, this story is very perplexing. Apparently there is a new development going up in Williamsburg. Thats not news. The catch is that it's specifically made for Orthodox Jews. How in the world could that be legal? Can you imagine a headline that said new housing in Flatbush for Catholic Haitians or how about housing in Flatbush for Spiritual Hipsters? Read more here.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like the black community could use a developer like Isaac Hager. He is a developer that has produced ultra high priced condos.
Now he is developing a lower income housing project that meets the needs of the community and respects the surrounding environment.
His condos or rentals will be affordable AND will be no higher than 7 stories when he is allowed to build as high as 20 stories.
What is Thor Industries doing for the black community? Bulldozing Coney Island and developing ultra high end housing that only the richest of buyers can afford.

Anonymous said...

"How can that be legal?" Try some logical thinking before you make a post. Its a community of orthodox Jews. They have specific needs in order to practice their religion. Like two kitcen sinks to seperate meat plates from fish, etc. They arent restricting the housing to only Jews. Muslims could buy their if they felt inclined. They design the buildings to fit their most likely client.

Anonymous said...

There is already a large Orthodox complex in Williamsburg (near Wythe and Kent) built by the city for the Satmar. I don't recall the name of the development, but it's large built with white brick. It's clear and blatant racism.

That the community's housing needs are being met is less a testament to interested, enlightened developers than to the neighborhood's political clout. They vote en mass for the rabbi's candidate of choice.

Anonymous said...

And there in lies the rub...they vote en mass....that is called a community....like it or not....democracy.

Anonymous said...

How DARE they vote en masse to accomplish their community's collective needs and goals. What do they think this country is, a representative democracy?

Anonymous said...

The world is full of well organized/strong/rich/ entities- corporations are a good example- that receive far more than their rightful share by virtue of their special abilities. It doesn't make it a good thing.

Anonymous said...

not a good example of democracy here, sorry.

other communities that vote en masse for their (or their leader's) candidate of choice don't get housing built exclusively for them. anyone who thinks non-Jews will be moving into these buildings is dreaming.