New York development approved with “poor door” for affordable housing tenants

IT’S THE controversial concept that hides poorer tenants from their wealthy neighbours but one Aussie expert asks whether we could learn something from it.

Oak door with brass lion head knocker.

A CONTROVERSIAL “poor door” has been approved for affordable housing tenants of a new development in New York.

An Australian affordable housing advocate said it would be a concern if such an approach were to reach Australia, but the system that led to the “poor door” development could benefit us.

The “poor door” is to be added to a 33-level riverfront development of luxury condos on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York, according to a report in the New York Post.

The developer, Extell, had submitted plans to include 55 affordable housing units in the project with separate access from a back alley, according to the report.

Under an Inclusionary Housing Program in New York developers can apply to build larger properties if they also agree to build low-income housing.

The New York Post reported that a spokesman for the Department of Housing Preservation and Development in New York had confirmed the approval for the “poor door” development plans, which were tabled in August last year.

Adrian Pisarski, chairman of affordable housing advocacy group National Shelter said the New York approach had some merit in Australia, though he had concerns of separate entrances based on income.

“I would be very concerned if Australia got to the point where we had separate entrances,” Mr Pisarski said.

“All of the mixed tenure developments in Australia have had the same entrance.”

He noted that in the UK there were some developments that had separate lift access where affordable housing was mixed into more expensive residential buildings.

However, Mr Pisarski said there was a massive need for more affordable housing in Australia and the New York approach could work.

“Inclusionary zoning would have a place in Australia, it’s been done extensively through Europe,” Mr Pisarski said.

He noted it had been used in limited circumstances with parts of Adelaide at the forefront with requirements of new developments to have 15 per cent of the properties be affordable housing and a third of that available as social housing, according to Mr Pisarski.

“It certainly has a place and there could be more of it,” he said.

The Extell development at 40 Riverside Boulevard may be the last with such an approval in the city, however.

The New York Post report said the Manhattan Borough President had vowed to reject applications for separate entries in the future.