The SDR Coalition partnered with Rivington House for decades. We continue to think of it – its former staff and former residents – as our Coalition partners.
This covers the hearing, the offer of 30 Pike Street and a brief post investigations wish list. More comprehensive reform wish list to follow.
Neighbors to Save Rivington House
City Council Hearing:
The removal of the deed restrictions on Rivington House enabled a few to profit at the expense of the many, including those already disproportionately burdened: the poor, people of color, the disabled, people living with AIDS and the elderly -particularly older women.
It was not “in the best interests of the city”.
The City Council’s hearing to learn what happened with Rivington House is deeply appreciated. Without this painstaking review we would abandon people to the notion that government is rigged beyond repair.
A thorough and open process is necessary to reveal the people, policy and practice relevant to the undoing of housing for 115 vulnerable residents, the threat of the loss of a skilled care nursing facility for 215 elders and/or disabled and the loss of almost 200 jobs.
Though this process might be painful and embarrassing, it is far less painful and humiliating than that inflicted on those treated as disposable who relied on this facility, not only for their housing, but for their very lives.
We thank those electeds who continue to work until no one who is in our collective care will be treated as expendable. CM Chin, Senator Squadron and MBP Brewer have stood against what can seem like the inevitable demise of Rivington House as a public good.
We were heartened to hear NYC Law Department’s Zachary Carter’s commitment to use all means possible to return Rivington House. We are cognizant of his caveat “all practical means” and look forward to pushing on that front. We think if a city can use eminent domain to build two luxury stadiums in a poor and a middle class community respectively – something can be done here.
We still have many unanswered questions.
Offer of Pike Street:
We appreciate the offer of “affordable senior housing and a health care facility” at 30 Pike. Senior affordable housing provides needed housing for those who can live independently. Nursing homes provide housing for those who cannot.
These are two very different housing needs.
Nursing Homes: There are diseases and conditions that simply don’t allow one to live “independently”, alone, or even with caring family. We need nursing homes that are good places to live, near loved ones, for those who must have them.
Any of us could become disabled – whether temporarily or permanently – and in need of skilled nursing care. Nursing homes fill that need, especially as hospitals downsize and patients are moved out quickly to make room for those with more urgent needs.
Affordable senior housing: Aging in place is an excellent option and should be fully resourced. Many here cannot continue to live in situ due inaccessible housing (wheelchair/walkers in walk-ups, hospital beds/equipment that won’t fit in tiny apartments, etc). There need to be enough trained and vetted aides and funding to make it work in reality.
30 Pike is not comparable to Rivington House.
30 Pike would site housing for 100 seniors able to live independently (and/or in assisted living?). It is under a bridge with constant thunderous traffic and trains. It would take many years of a ULURP process to create. The seniors with need right now would not live long enough to see it.
It is not lost on us that building senior affordable housing on Pike Street would provide the mayor with more units to enhance his own political credentials.
This community has been an anchor for centuries of low-income housing and shelter. We welcome more housing that is truly affordable – NYC has 60,000 homeless people to house.
Rivington House has 215 homes for those who need skilled nursing care. It overlooks a bucolic garden built by the neighborhood’s blood, sweat and tears and maintained for almost four decades solely by the community. It would be unconscionable to allow wealthy condo owners to swoop in to reap the rewards of a garden view in a park made beautiful and safe by the predominantly of color, poor and working and middle class community who created the garden at great personal risk.
The 215 homes inside Rivington House must be returned.
After All The Investigations Are Over:
The appearance, if not the reality, of conflicts of interests necessitate full transparency.
The public needs to have learned the full extent of involvement of those who appear throughout this debacle. NYState DOH, the relevant ombudsman, the industry heavy Public Health and Health Planning Council, The Allure Group owners and staff, the Mayor and his administrators, relevant 1199 staff, VillageCare, lobbyists, all relevant real estate entities (Slate, China Vanke, Adam America, etc), the former and current staff of RH, the former residents, current and former DCAS staff, etc.
Any entity or person who profited from deception at the expense of the taxpayer, city, local community, and residents harmed should be discouraged from attempting to profit from any other opportunities here….“fool me once…?”
All have a right and an obligation to tell their side of the story to the public.
The continued monitoring presence of US Attorney for the Southern District, Preet Bharara NYS Attorney General Schneiderman, NYC DOI and the Comptroller. With safeguards instituted on all levels to fully protect all those who require full-time skilled care facilities.
Rivington House needs to be returned to its revered and historic stand as a health care facility in perpetuity as a home for people of all incomes and skilled nursing care needs.
Neighbors to Save Rivington House
Twitter #CareNotCondos #RivingtonHouse
