New Haven Independent

Posted by: Chris Olesen | June 29, 2007 11:21 AM

My wife and I are the owners of 759 Quinnipiac Ave., and we would like to provide our POV on this issue, as we believe that while I am sure for some people like Erin the issue was not a NIMBY issue, it most certainly was for many of the neighbors who complained to us about falling property values and our Alderperson, Alex Rhodeen went so far as to say to us that Public Housing had no business being across the street from $500,000 condos. I am not really sure how he came up with such an inflated price for the ugly complex across the street from us, but that is another story. Funny how no one became so irrate about the "historic integrity" of another house, older than our own, across the street which was sold to a developer who is turning the building into condos and has plans to completely change the exterior of the house. This is most definitely a NIMBY issue being masked as a historic property issue by people who don't want to be labeled elitists who are really only concerned with their own property value.

We have other comments about the HANH as well that we would like to share. Please call (203) 804-2329.

Posted by: charlie | June 29, 2007 2:29 PM

Why do we even need public housing in the first place? the private market is much more efficient at providing it, and New Haven has WAAAAAAAAAAY more than its fair share of it already. I think we should slowly phase out (bulldoze) almost all of the public housing here, sell the lots off, and let the suburbs build it.

Posted by: Love Thy Neighbor | June 30, 2007 9:19 AM

"This is most definitely a NIMBY issue being masked as a historic property issue by people who don't want to be labeled elitists who are really only concerned with their own property value."

Yup, sure smelled like NIMBYism to me when I read the article about the hearing:

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2007/06/historic_home_m.php

I could be wrong but after reading this comment (from I assume Mr. Ozyck) I'm now thinking that the issue, for some, may not be...er...so black and white:

"Posted by: Chris | June 26, 2007 9:45 PM

The Housing Authority voted not to purchase this home. This home is truly unique and gracious but really needs the love and care of a historically minded homeowner. Fair Haven Heights will surely absorb many of the scattered site houses that are required by a lawsuit from legal Aid and CCA. Other truly non- impacted neighborhoods have failed to integrate scattered site housing. If you believe in ladders of opportunity and rungs of access you need to examine the potential of such a program.
That being said: The housing authority and its agents need to do a better job on multiple fronts. Public housing should be a contributing asset to a community. Attention to aesthetics, environmentals, and stewardship will benefit all. Through the granting of section 8, the housing authority could leverage the multitude of slumlords to do better too."

I live in Morris Cove so I know a little about NIMBYism...and worse:

When Housing Collides With Race and Class
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE2DA143AF930A35752C0A965958260

Posted by: Edward_H | June 30, 2007 2:50 PM

Is there any neighborhood in the city that would welcome anything with the Housing Authority of New Haven's name attached to it? Say what you like about NIMBYism. The Housing Authority is its own worst enemy when their dismal record of property management is examined.

Posted by: Walt | July 2, 2007 5:18 PM

Good for the NIMBYS>

If a Huntington St. guy like Solomon wanted to do the same in my neighborhood, I would fight him too,

Congratulations, NIMBYS!!