Arline Parks speaks to the victory for Beekman Houses securing a $19 million investment.
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If it weren't for the hardworking and persistent residents of the Diego Beekman Houses, who came together under Tenants United for Better Living, a large section of the affordable housing stock in the Bronx would vanish into the impoverishing ether of neglect.
The tenants combatted decades of disinvestment, untenable building conditions and urban decay. They worked to become stakeholders and representatives in the management of the Beekman Houses and advocated for affordable living, a secure environment, universal and quality standards, a voice in the day-to-day management issues and design excellence.
In 1996, working in partnership with Tenants United for Better Living, we developed design recommendations to improve the conditions at the Beekman Houses. Using our guidelines, significant renovations have been made to the buildings and open spaces to make them more secure and comfortable, including the installation of new security cameras, redesigned building and courtyard entrances, and refurbished apartments.
Tenants United played a strong role in the eventual transfer of ownership of the Beekman Houses to the Diego Beekman Mutual Housing Association in 2003.
In 2012, the New York City Employees’ Retirement System and the Police Pension Fund invested $19 million to fund a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for the Beekman Houses. In addition to the mortgage that will guarantee long-term affordable rents, the Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., allocated $600,000 for a complex-wide security-camera system.
Arline Parks, Vice Chair & CEO of Diego Beekman Mutual Housing Association, HDFC, shared more on this success story.
Let's start with a fill-in-the blank question. Public space is vital because…?
Arline: Public space enhances humanity's quality of life from ancient times to the present.
Tell us about the makings of Beekman Houses?
Arline: Jose de Diego Beekman Houses is a scattered site housing complex that consists of thirty eight pre-war buildings with 1,238 apartment units. Located in the heart of Mott Haven, the development stretches over twelve square blocks and is home to well over 4,000 residents.
It was initially developed in 1974 as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Development's Model Cities program. The project was transferred to the Diego Beekman Mutual Housing Association, HDFC.
This has been described as the largest tenant takeover of a federal housing project in the country. How did you do it?
Arline: Team work! As a result of the early groundbreaking work with the Design Trust for Public Space, Victor Body-Lawson, the African Roundtable, SoBRO and the residents to establish design guidelines to renovate the complex, Beekman Houses was literally saved from being auctioned off.
The Design Trust workshops helped the residents create a vision for how the common areas of the buildings should be renovated. In fact, the renovations became a reality which instilled pride and an enormous sense of community accomplishment amongst the residents knowing that all things are possible with faith, unity, and hard work.
How is the housing complex doing today?
Arline: The Diego Beekman Mutual Housing Association, HDFC is guided by commitment to excellence, financial strength, and sustainability. The buildings are managed by WinnResidential, the largest manager of affordable housing in the nation.
The board is committed to working with WinnResidential to achieve the highest possible standards in every aspect of management of the site to ensure that residents receive quality service, and most importantly that the complex is sustained to provide housing for low income families for years to come.
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All things are possible with faith, unity, and hard work.