Community assessment and recovery in Red Hook, Brooklyn

Community Assessment, part 1-

Red Hook Brooklyn

Red Hook is a neighborhood in south Brooklyn, NY that rests along an industrial waterfront. The region is predominately poor and mostly African-Americans reside in this area. The movie on the Waterfront was based on this part of New York and the famous international cruise liner, the Queen Mary, docks in this area. This neighborhood has experienced much change in the last decade with mostly positive economic gains and improving infrastructure. Currently, the area is in a state of disarray and confusion as Hurricane Sandy's recent devastating impact on the area has left many of its residents and businesses at a loss. This area could be described as going through a serious recovery period currently and is in a state of transition. It is important time for the people of this area and much resilience is needed to help prevent this community from losing much of its economic and social progress it has seen in the last decade or two. This may be accomplished in several ways: continued infrastructure build out, gentrification, and greater investment into the community itself.

Red Hook Community

The population of the African-American persons in Brooklyn New York is quite high. The census done in 2011 released their overall population at 34,917 people, but the actual city of Red Hook, not the outlying areas, has roughly 12,000 full time residents the population of the people living in the red hook houses is about 7,512 people (Roberts, 2009). The population of the African-American is majorly constituted by large numbers of low level of education, with up to 68% of the population not having formal education. In addition, the population is highly unemployed, with most doing manual labor and other small jobs. As a result, the income of most of the population is quite low with about 60% earning less than $20,000 and 40% getting less than $10,000 and only 10% making $35,000 and above (Roberts, 2009). This indicates the very high poverty level of the people. However, other residents that live in the area red hook neighborhood, code 11231 are quite better off as they own houses and only 19.1% live below the poverty line.

Population -- 30,215 (1/2 who live in subsidized housing)

Demographic Overview -- the community is known as South Brooklyn and has a rather varied population and while growing, does not have some of the amenities that other areas offer. The population is mixed, mostly African-Americans and Latinos. 63% of the population is African-American, and 28% Latino based. Halt the residents (54%) have only a HS or equivalent, degree.

Housing and Zoning -- Mostly subsidized housing with trends towards renovation and gentrification.

Open Space -- One of the older areas of Brooklyn, difficult to find housing, even fixers sell for almost $1 million

Boundaries -- Significant, mostly separated by transportation issues. Mass transit, except for automobiles, limited to the water taxi, the B-61 bus and the Ikea Shuttle.

Commons -- the area contains several parks, and the NYCHA Red Hook Houses are the largest public housing development in Brooklyn, accommodating about 5,000 residents.

Transportation -- Subway service to the area is space and Bus service is the most popular form of transportation. Red Hook is connected to Mahnhattan by a vehicle-only Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel (toll). The Red Hook Container Terminal is one of four such facilities in the Port of New York, and the only maritime facility in Brooklyn capable of handling container ships. In 2006, a new Carnival Cruise line terminal opened at Pier 12, hoping to boost tourism.

Service Centers -- Numerous schools, elementary; a few middle schools, one larger High School; research also shows a number of private schools in the area.

Stores -- in 2008 large IKEA opened up with a water taxi bringing shoppers from Manhattan. The water taxi has a fee, but that is reimbursed when individuals purchase from IKEA. This discourages locals from using it as transportation. Other stores are mostly smaller mom-and-pop grocers, etc.

Street People -- Problematic, as in most of NYC.

Signs of Decay -- Improving, still many abandoned buildings awaiting renovation.

Ethnicity -- Mixed, mostly Latino and African-American.

Religion -- Mixed, Catholic, Jewish, Protestant and Muslim.

Health and Morbidity -- Clinics and Doctor/Dentist offices, 80% report they have seen at least one health professional in past year. 18% of the population has diabetes (Type I or II), which is significantly higher than other New York cities and the national average. This has been strongly linked to obesity and poverty. Indeed, the Asthma rate comparison at 26.4%, is extremely high when compared to New York or other New York cities.

Crime -- Red Hook has a higher than average rating for personal crime, murder, robbery and assault.

Politics -- New York style, part of Brooklyn borough.

Media -- it was not until 2010 that Red Hook's first community newspaper, the Red Hook Star Review, began publishing.

In general, the epidemiological overview for Red Hook, though, is a bit more problematic when compared to other boroughs of New York. The Public Health Department does realize that there are challenges, most especially in moving the "Below Average" indicators to "Average," and moving the "Average" indicators to "Above Average":

Issue

Below Average

Average

Above Average

General Health

X

Maternal and Child Health

X

Infection Disease (influenza, HIV / AIDS, pneumonia)

X

Chronic Disease (heart disease, diabetes, lung disease)

X

Preventative care (screening and immunizations)

X

Access to regular Medical Care

X

(Source: Report on Health: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pub/pub.shtml

Demographic Data

Total Population

10,215

Avg Household Income

$86,056

Median Household Income

$53,516

African-American Population

68%

White Population

20%

Other

12%

Biostatistics

Have Health Insurance

89.2%

Diabetic

17.9%

Diagnosed with Asthma

26.4%

Tested for HIV

77%

Screened for Cancer

22%

Dentist visit in less than one year

18.5%

Overall Analysis for Queens:

Approximately 25% of the population are uninsured and 25% of the total population has not regular doctor. Access to a regular health care provider helps prevent illness, identify health conditions early, and treat health problems. Both the insurance and regular health care provider issues are linked to poverty.

High percentage of obesity, causing 25% of the population to suffer from heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes. This could be lowered by providing more regular screenings and follow up care, as well as