The South African Civil Society Information Service

A Tale of Two Cities: It's the Back Door for the Poor in New York

24 Jul 2014

A New York high-rise developer is at the center of outrage for building what activists are calling a "poor door". Composed of high-end luxury apartments and cheaper units meant for low-income families, the building will have a special back entrance that those living in the less expensive apartments must use.

By including cheaper apartments in the building under the auspices an inclusionary housing programme, the developer is able to apply for tax breaks estimated at millions of dollars. But lower income residents will be forced to use a separate entrance and also be banned from the building's gym and swimming pool.

According to RT’s Anastasia Churkina Wealth inequality in New York City is rampant - this project exemplifies the Orwellian saying, "All are equal, but some are more equal than others."

© RT

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You can find this page online at http://sacsis.org.za/site/article/2085.