We Keep Us Safe: Collective Care and Resilience in New York City Public Housing

Jayah Arnett, Camille Napoleon, Saundrea Coleman, and Michael Partis discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents of NYCHA and how residents built networks of care and solidarity for each other. This event was streamed live on October 27, 2021. 

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Before COVID-19 descended on New York City, public housing residents were already dealing with precarious living conditions that included maintenance repairs, sorely-need capital improvements, and a range of health and safety issues. These conditions were only exacerbated by the pandemic and the inadequate response to these communities by local, state, and federal authorities. Many residents of this city had to grapple with employment and health issues, housing security, and a range of hardships. However, public housing residents, including the elderly, essential workers, teachers, and first responders, withstood additional challenges due to NYCHA’s failure to swiftly respond with deployment of resources, information and communication, and health and safety protocols.  Some residents responded to these challenges with creative ideas, leadership and care that often springs from so many of these communities.  

Jayah Arnett, Camille Napoleon, Saundrea Coleman, and Michael Partis (moderator) discussed creativity and collective care, and how these may be sustained amidst ongoing challenges of public housing privatization and disinvestment, and the importance of local elections.