Community Assessment, Part 1- Red

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.

Windshield Survey

Overview: A windshield survey of Red Hook shows that there is much damage that still resides from the recent hurricane. Flooding and wind damage has made parts of this town resemble a war zone. Red Hook is particularly isolated from the rest of New York City due to its severe lack of public transportation. Intermixed between large public housing projects are some signs of economic stability, but overall, Red Hook is in poor shape with many poor people living well below the poverty line. Red Hook was formerly prosperous and vital, until the shipping industry moved jobs to New Jersey ports and the community became somewhat economically depressed.

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.