Socio-environmental Impacts of Climate Resilience Construction in Red Hook

Authors: Antonia Simon, Shivani Dave, Arooj Fatima in collaboration with Catherine McBride, Tevina Willis and Kara Smith (RHI)

0.1 Introduction

In 2017, NYCHA launched a $100 million climate resilience redevelopment plan aimed at protecting Red Hook from future flooding. Seven years have passed since the construction first commenced and residents are still living in a construction zone. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, this research examines the unintended health and environmental consequences of Red Hook Houses’ climate resilience redevelopment, focusing on the prolonged impact on Red Hook Houses residents’ health and well being.

Conducted with the support of the Red Hook Initiative, this research aims to serve as a tool for education and advocacy within community organizing efforts. Ultimately, this research aims to initiate the creation of a community-led framework for anticipating and mitigating adverse outcomes in future resilience projects, ensuring that neighborhoods like Red Hook are not disproportionately burdened in the pursuit of climate adaptation and equity.

0.2 Historical Context

When Hurricane Sandy swept through New York City in late October of 2012, it delivered a devastating blow to the Red Hook Houses. As one of the city’s second largest and oldest public housing stock, built in the 1930s and spanning 40 acres, the complexes suffered extensive destruction; roofs caved in, the senior center was severely damaged, and electrical systems and boilers were destroyed.

To safeguard Red Hook from future flooding, NYCHA launched a $100 million climate resilience redevelopment plan in 2017. The project, notably the largest in NYCHA’s portfolio, invested nearly $550 million in disaster recovery funds recieved from FEMA. Key components include floodwalls, deployable flood barriers, raised street levels, a new heating and hot water system, structural reinforcements, flood protection, and full backup power.

While all work was initially expected to be completed by mid-2021, seven years later, recovery and flood-proofing efforts at the Red Hook Houses remain incomplete. Public housing residents, nearly half of Red Hook’s population, continue to be impacted by poor housing conditions such as extensive heat and hot water outages, mold, and lead exposure. With $485 million of the $568 million spent so far, residents continue to live amid ongoing construction, grappling with mounting concerns about its prolonged health impacts.

These health concerns are part of a broader, historic struggle for the community. From exposure to toxic gases and particulate matter following 9/11, the closure of Long Island College Hospital in 2013, and the COVID-19 pandemic, to the influx of commercial trucks driving and idling on neighborhood streets, Red Hook residents have endured a long list of challenges that have significantly impacted their access to healthcare and exacerbated respiratory health issues. The more recent rapid development and reconstruction are deeply intertwined with this history, further heightening residents’ awareness of their health and well-being. Current stressors include the loss of green space, increased air and noise pollution, and potential exposure to mold and lead caused by ongoing construction within and around the NYCHA Red Hook Houses.

This ongoing struggle has compelled the community to fight relentlessly to bring their health issues to the forefront. The enduring resilience of the Red Hook community stands in stark contrast to the incomplete and inadequate infrastructural resilience that continues to surround them.

0.2.1 Neighborhood Changes

Historically, it was a maritime community with an industrial waterfront, with shipyards and cobbled streets, but limited public transit connecting it to the rest of New York city. However, that has changed over time. Between 2021 and 2022, Red Hook’s population has decreased by 5.47%, but other estimates point to a slight increase (1.17%) in its population since 2023. This change in demographics has not taken away from community diversity, the residents note. Nahisha McCoy, Red Hook Initiative local leader reminisced, “the outside environment has changed a lot, but the overall community feel, the family feel, is still here”.

Its waterfront became one of the busiest by the 1920s, and soon saw a wave of urban development with Red Hook Houses in 1939, the Gowanus expressway in 1946 and the Brooklyn-Queens expressway in 1954, among others. Historical systemic isolation and misguided urban development, often driven by socio-economically powerful forces, have contributed to the persistent neglect of its community, exacerbating inequality and hindering its growth. However, gradually, in addition to demographic changes, the area has seen a 2.56% increase in median household income between 2021 and 2022; even though it has the largest income disparity in the borough, with median household incomes ranging from $14,000 to $1,23,000.

The oral histories that we have documented paint an evocative picture; kinship among its diverse residents, community resilience, shared struggles and piecemeal improvements. Red Hook’s isolated nature was slowly changing, with added bus and train routes, some big-box stores and grocery stores entering the neighborhood - but Julia Duvall, a Red Hook resident for the last 33 years, points out the lack of amenities close to Red Hook Houses.

0.3 Methods & Limitations

This research combines quantitative analysis with qualitative oral history interviews, aiming to amplify the voices of individuals behind the data and statistics. By exploring residents’ lived experiences, these narratives served as a crucial guide throughout the data collection and analysis process, offering context and deeper understanding where the data alone proved insufficient.

While this combined approach underscores the value of integrating quantitative and qualitative methods in community research, it also revealed significant limitations in the availability of comprehensive data at the local level. With the most recent data extending only to 2020 and 2022, our analysis uncovered a critical disconnect: residents’ concerns were not always reflected in the available data. This limited ability to statistically capture on-the-ground realities highlights a broader issue of equity. As a densely populated community described as “cut off” (McCoy, RHI) from the wider neighborhood and borough, insufficient data representation undermines the community’s ability to highlight present conditions and effectively advocate for the federal support they urgently need.

Although oral histories provide vital supplemental insights and a deeper understanding of lived experiences, data access remains key to effective advocacy. To empower the Red Hook community and address this gap, there is a pressing need for more recent and localized data to complement residents’ narratives to support advocacy efforts.

It is important to acknowledge the community is beginning to collect more local data. Through platforms like Purple Air and collaborations with NYU to study tree loss and soil quality, the Red Hook Initiative has been actively building a repository of localized data. NYCHA also provides a platform to review air quality; however, it is currently non-functional. Despite these efforts, the existing data remains challenging to analyze due to its fragmented nature, often documented in PDFs or inaccessible through malfunctioning platforms.

0.3.1 Data Considerations

The data used in this analysis is inherently shaped by broader legislative, environmental, and societal factors that have impacted air quality trends in New York City over the past decade. Several major initiatives, including efforts to phase out heavy heating oils, ambitious climate legislation, and the unique conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, have collectively influenced air pollution levels. These contextual factors are essential to consider when interpreting the data, as they reflect both long-term policy changes and temporary disruptions that may obscure or exaggerate underlying patterns, particularly in neighborhoods like Red Hook.

Several legislative efforts aimed to improve air quality in New York City. The Clean Heat Program of 2012 targeted one of the city’s largest sources of pollution—residential and commercial heating systems. The program sought to phase out the use of heavy heating oils, which produced high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), and transition buildings to cleaner fuels like natural gas or low-sulfur heating oil. By the program’s conclusion in 2015, it had successfully eliminated over 5,300 buildings’ use of heavy heating oils, significantly reducing air pollution levels citywide.

In 2019, Local Law 97 was enacted as part of New York City’s climate action plan. The law introduced ambitious greenhouse gas emission limits for large buildings, requiring them to adopt energy-efficient practices and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. While the law primarily addresses climate change, its implementation is expected to have co-benefits for air quality, particularly in neighborhoods like Red Hook that are disproportionately affected by pollution.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 provided a unique global moment for observing air pollution trends. With reduced industrial activity, transportation, and energy use during lockdowns, air pollution levels saw dramatic decreases. In New York City, concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) dropped by an estimated 30% compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This temporary decline highlighted the significant impact of human activity on air quality and underscored the potential for cleaner air with concerted efforts to reduce emissions.

0.3.2 Data Leveraged

Land Use Regression (LUR), Center for Air, Climate and Energy Solutions (CACES):

• Years analyzed: 2000-2020
• Four gases: O3, CO, SO2, NO2
• Two aerosols: PM10, PM2.5

PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, CDC

• Years analyzed: 2016-2022
• Health outcomes:
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Cancer
  • High Cholesterol
  • COPD
  • Heart Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Stroke

Neighborhood & Census Tract Boundaries

Neighborhood and Census Tract boundaries are represented with a shapefile that was downloaded from NYC Open Data. Both are front the most recent 2020 NYC Department of Planning surveying.

Oral Histories & Interviews

• Nahisha McCoy, Red Hook Initiative Local Leader & Resident
• Lisa Gonzalez, Red Hook Initiative Local Leader & Resident
• Julia Duvall, Red Hook Initiative Local Leader & Resident
• Cheryl Cephas, Red Hook Initiative Local Leader & Resident
• Carolina Salguero, PortSide NewYork
• Joy Sinderbrand, Senior VP of Capital Programs, NYCHA

0.4 Air Quality

Source: Center for Air, Climate and Energy Solutions (2020)

Summary Table

Source: Center for Air, Climate and Energy Solutions (2020)

This graph and the summary table illustrate the trends in air pollutant levels in Red Hook from 2000 to 2020, highlighting a general improvement in air quality over the past two decades. Notable declines are seen in pollutants like Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM₂.₅), and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), particularly following interventions such as the Clean Heat Program (2012) and Local Law 97 (2019). However, both 9/11 and, while to a less significant degree, the beginning of the construction caused noticeable spikes in Particulate Matter 10 (PM₁₀) and Ozone (O₃) levels.

Note
This graph are measured in different units—micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), parts per billion (ppb), and parts per million (ppm)—which should be considered when comparing trends.

To focus more specifically on the impact of the construction activity, the following graph represents the air quality changes from 2016 to 2020 to highlight how the resiliency construction impacted the area.

Source: Center for Air, Climate and Energy Solutions (2020)

From the graph above, one can see that following the start of construction, Particulate Matter 10 (PM₁₀) and Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM₂.₅) increased slightly, reflecting dust and emissions from construction work, while Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) remained elevated before declining after 2019, likely due to Local Law 97. Ozone (O₃) levels stayed consistently high, indicating a persistent challenge. By 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp drop in NO₂, temporarily masking construction-related effects. To better understand the localized impact of these trends, we extended our analysis to pollutant levels across Red Hook’s three census tracts: 53, 59, and 85.

Red Hook’s Three Census Tract

Source: NYU Langone Health

There are three census tracts in Red Hook:

• Census Tract 53: Located along the waterfront, this tract encompasses Red Hook’s industrial areas, piers, and maritime infrastructure, reflecting the neighborhood’s historical role as a major port.
• Census Tract 59: Positioned centrally, this tract includes mixed residential and commercial zones, acting as a transitional space between the waterfront and more residential parts of Red Hook.
• Census Tract 85: Situated further inland, this area is home to the Red Hook Houses, one of the largest public housing developments in Brooklyn, and represents a significant residential hub within the neighborhood.

Note
Throughout this report, Census Tract 85 will be referenced in relation to making conclusions about Red Hook Houses, however, it is important to note that other residents and businesses exist in this Census Tract.

Analyzing the Air Quality across Red Hooks 3 Census Tracts

Source: Center for Air, Climate and Energy Solutions (2020)

The graph above highlights that despite the construction occuring in the Red Hook Houses, in census tract 85, the air quality remains relativelt consistent across the three census tracts. In some cases, the air quality is slightly worse in the other census tracts. This could be due to other construction occuring, for example the arrival of Amazon warehouse in census tract 53.

Highest Pollutants in Census Tract 85

Source: Center for Air, Climate and Energy Solutions (2020)

Based on the chart, the highest pollutants in Census Tract 85 are Ozone (O₃) and Particulate Matter (PM₁₀). The trend shows an increase in average pollutant values from 2016 through 2019, followed by a sharp decline in 2020.

The rise in pollutants in 2018 and 2019 can likely be attributed to increased construction activities in the area. Construction generates significant levels of particulate matter due to activities like demolition, excavation, and the operation of heavy machinery, which releases dust and emissions. These activities can also contribute to elevated levels of ozone, as construction equipment emits nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), which react with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in sunlight to produce ground-level ozone.

The sharp decline in 2020 coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought widespread lockdowns and a substantial reduction in industrial and construction activity. While the construction contidued during periods of the pandemic, leading to protests organised by residents, the overall reduction of emissions and less air pollution is reflected in the significant drop in the highest pollutant level.

This pattern underscores the direct relationship between human activity—particularly construction—and air quality, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices to minimize environmental and health impacts in densely populated communities like Census Tract 85.

To examine the variation in Ozone (O₃) and PM₁₀ levels from 2016 to 2020, the following graphs illustrate the observed changes over time.

Analyzing Ozone Levels in Census Tract 85

Source: Center for Air, Climate and Energy Solutions (2020)

While the ozone levels remain within the maximum permissible limits, there is a noticeable increase in levels following the start of construction activities. Unfortunately, due to the lack of comprehensive data for 2019 and 2020, it is not possible to fully assess how this trend evolved over time. This gap in the dataset underscores the limitations of the available data and the challenges it presents in drawing conclusive insights about long-term air quality impacts.

Analyzing Particulate Matter (PM10) Levels in Census Tract 85

Source: Center for Air, Climate and Energy Solutions (2020)

The graph illustrates the trend of PM10 levels in the Red Hook Houses from 2016 to 2020. While PM10 levels exhibit fluctuations during this period, they remain consistently above the recommended limit of 15 µg/m³. This is particularly concerning, as elevated PM10 levels are often accompanied by PM2.5 particles, which pose significant health risks. PM2.5 particles, being smaller, can penetrate deeper into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, exacerbating respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis, and potentially leading to cardiovascular and other chronic illnesses.

The increase in PM10 levels following the start of construction highlights the impact of human activities on air quality. Construction processes generate particulate matter through dust and emissions, further contributing to this trend. While a temporary decline in PM10 levels is visible during the COVID-19 period, the overall pattern underscores the ongoing air quality challenges in the area.

To gain deeper insights into the health implications of particulate matter, it is crucial to examine PM2.5 levels. The next graph analyzes these levels over time, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the particulate matter’s impact on community health.

PM 2.5 Levels in Census Tract 85 (Red Hook Houses)

Source: Center for Air, Climate and Energy Solutions (2020)

This graph focuses on PM2.5 levels in Census Tract 85, home to the Red Hook Houses, from 2016 to 2020. The data shows that PM2.5 levels remained below the Ambient Air Quality Standards limit of 9 µg/m³ throughout the period. However, there was a noticeable increase in 2018, coinciding with the start of construction activity, followed by a decline in 2019 and stabilization in 2020. While the levels stayed within regulatory limits, the rise in PM2.5 highlights the potential localized, impact of construction on air quality in Red Hook Houses. Due to the lack of recent data, these results fail to account for the health impact of residents in Red Hook Houses. For example, Lisa Gonzalez attributes her frequent asthma attacks and trips to the emergency room to the ongoing construction around Red Hook Houses.

How may this compare to the census tracts surrounding Red Hook? The following section compares the PM2.5 levels across the census tracts in Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Gowanus.

0.4.1 Air Quality Across the Neighborhood

PM2.5 Across the Neighborhing Census Tracts

Through the progression of these maps, it is evident that in 2018, Census Tract 85 experienced the highest PM2.5 levels. However, other areas in the neighborhood, particularly Gowanus, also recorded elevated PM2.5 levels. Decades of industrialization and neglect have left the Gowanus Canal heavily contaminated with a variety of pollutants, including heavy metals, PCBs (man-made chemicals), coal tar, and raw sewage. These pollutants not only impact the canal itself but also contribute to environmental degradation in the surrounding areas through airborne particles, water contamination, and soil leaching.

The recent rise in PM2.5 levels in Gowanus in 2019 and 2020 may be attributed to ongoing construction activities in the area. The Gowanus neighborhood has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years, with the canal’s Superfund cleanup coinciding with new residential and commercial construction. Such activities are known to generate dust, debris, and emissions that contribute to higher particulate matter in the air. Additionally, disturbances in contaminated soil during construction may have exacerbated the release of pollutants, further impacting air quality. These factors, compounded by the historical pollution of the canal, likely explain the observed increase in PM2.5 levels during this period.

How do the air pollution levels in Red Hook implicate residents health outcomes?

In order to understand the impact of this rise in pollutant levels, the following section analyzes the health outcomes in Red Hook and the surrounding census tracts of Carroll Gardens, Gwanus and Cobble Hill.

0.5 Health Outcomes

Source: Center for Decease Control (CDC)

The table above highlights various health outcomes observed across Red Hook’s three census tracts. Since 2017, there has been a gradual rise in conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, depression, obesity, asthma, and diabetes.

This trend paints a concerning picture, suggesting that air pollution is not only adversely affecting residents’ respiratory systems, leading to increased cases of asthma, COPD, and heart disease, but also exacerbating issues related to poor mobility and mental health. The construction zone appears to have contributed to these challenges, as indicated by the rise in obesity, potentially due to reduced physical activity and stress-related impacts on overall well-being.

To understand how these rates compare to the other census tracts in the neighborhood, the following maps dive into the regional variation for asthma, diabetes and COPD. These three health outcomes were selected as they have the most complete data and where the conditions that varied the most in comparison to the surrounding tracts.

0.5.1 Analyzing Asthma

The graph above shows that asthma rates were more severe in 2016 than in 2022, with overall improvement across the neighborhood. However, the census tract encompassing Red Hook Houses remains disproportionately impacted compared to surrounding areas.

0.5.2 Analyzing COPD

Similar to asthma, COPD rates were more severe in 2016 than in 2022, showing overall improvement across the neighborhood. However, COPD rates in the Red Hook Houses census tract remain disproportionately higher compared to surrounding areas.

0.5.3 Analyzing Diabetes

Unlike asthma and COPD rates, diabetes rates in Red Hook tract 85 have worsened, contrasting significantly to the declining rates in surrounding tracts. In 2016, diabetes prevalence was already elevated in Red Hook specifically, and by 2022, while other neighborhoods such as Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill showed significant improvement, Red Hook continues to experience disproportionately high rates. Physical inactivity and chronic stress are two causes of diabetes which could have been influenced by the lack of mobility and noice pollution in Red Hook Houses.

0.5.4 Discussion

Although the Red Hook Sandy Recovery and Resiliency Project represents one of NYCHA’s largest investments, its prolonged timeline and incomplete state have raised significant health outcomes from both a physical and mental health perspective.

The analysis revealed rising rates of conditions such as asthma, COPD, and diabetes, suggesting that air pollution and ongoing construction contribute significantly to poor health outcomes in the surrounding census tracts. This is reflected by the increase in PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and O3 in census track 85 where Red Hook Houses resides. This analysis also highlights that additional factors beyond air pollution are worsening residents’ health. The increase in depression, arthritis, obesity, and diabetes points to broader systemic issues, such as reduced mobility, limited access to resources, and the psychological toll of living in a perpetual construction zone.

The qualitative analysis reveals that residents in Census Tract 85 have experienced significant negative impacts from the climate resilience reconstruction, affecting both their mental and physical health. However, the absence of recent and comprehensive data prevents a clear statistical reflection of the current conditions. There is an evident rise in health conditions among residents, but in addition to external factors, this can also be attributed to poor indoor air quality, lack of mobility due to on-going construction, rebuilding recreational spaces and more. The oral histories we collected are an attempt to supplement this lack of data. In addition to the quantitative data analysis, we also conducted qualitative data collection to document lived experiences of those in Red Hook. Additionally, health impacts often take time to fully manifest. In the absence of adequate data, interviews underscore the severity of these challenges, highlighting the need for more robust evidence. This research recommends stronger advocacy for comprehensive community-level data collection in Red Hook to more effectively address these critical issues.

0.6 Oral Histories

Below you will find the oral history recording and key takeaways from each interview.

For the full summaries and transcripts, please refer to this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F7cJ57cEmEZwbML3C6Ga0ujl4tXSxUMG?usp=sharing

0.6.1 Julia Duvall

• Red Hook Houses resident for the last 33 years has seen the area being better connected via public transit, but mentions a lack of an adequate number of grocery stores and laundry facilities, given the number of residents.

• A severe lack of tree cover caused by the devastating Hurricane Sandy exacerbates the bad air quality, subsequently worsening asthma and pulmonary health issues among residents. Construction has been on-going but some recreational grounds, especially for the area’s youth, have not been rebuilt.

• Listen to Julia Duvall’s interview here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mFe0Doa7uB5Qv50m6cXwLGjZqY2Iz_g_?usp=drive_link

0.6.2 Nahisha McCoy

• There have been serious unintended consequences to the on-going construction and development in Red Hook that can only be resolved if developers consult the community before implementing any kind of project. In addition to poor air quality and soil contributing to asthma and rodent problems, some health impacts of 9/11 are still felt in the community today.

• The lack of trees causes the area to have an Urban Heat Island effect (where cities experience higher temperatures than nearby rural areas due to a presence of heat-absorbing surfaces like asphalt, concrete, glass).

• Listen to Nahisha McCoy’s interview here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JKV1-__xAHz9hxqP14ePzGgQpLycBwjL?usp=drive_link

0.6.3 Lisa Gonzalez

• As a long-time asthma sufferer, Lisa attributes her frequent asthma attacks and trips to the emergency room to the ongoing construction around Red Hook Houses.

• Along with poor air quality, she and her homebound husband are also dealing with delayed repairs and maintenance to their residence in the Red Hook Houses.

• Listen to Lisa Gonzalez’s interview here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lBgvZeoqMYMjB6Vba9hN2uWyz1rCpg0s?usp=drive_link

0.6.4 Carolina Salguero

• An advocate for long-term community involvement and acknowledging Red Hook’s deep maritime and industrial roots, citing a need for approaching big projects like the Brooklyn Marine Terminal to have benefits for the community as well as Red Hook’s waterfront.

• As someone who personally helped with recovery after superstorm Sandy by establishing the Sandy Recovery Center, she highlights the importance of flood preparedness and building resilience within the community. Emphasizes the need for a co-existing work-play waterfront for Red Hook that continues to serve its industrial purposes, benefiting existing maritime activities and the community that resides there.

• Listen to Carolina Salguero’s interview here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19zfLIMMT6Jh41_aN2u2O0DgF4fSn_iqz?usp=drive_link

0.6.5 Cheryl Cephas

• Highlights the importance of regular community gatherings to build a sense of unity among residents, especially after superstorm Sandy. Red Hook used to be a food desert but that is slowly changing. The establishment of some grocery stores and food pantries have improved access to nourishing ingredients.

• Repairs and maintenance have been a regular issue, but she hopes that investment in urban development projects in Red Hook will bring in some much-needed “brightening” to the area, in addition to helping its residents have livable housing.

• Listen to Cheryl Cephas’ interview here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19Y3Iqyrsz_B6GbDDKvjE8M0WBHQuzTr-?usp=drive_link

Our attempt at gathering oral histories should be seen as a first step towards understanding the implications of living in Red Hook. Through these interviews, we find that by way of being fairly remote, its residents have developed a deep solidarity to their neighborhood. The gradual improvements in their lived environments has been a positive change, but it has taken a long time; repairs are continuing to this day, 12 years post-disaster.

An interview with Joy Sinderbrand, Senior VP of Capital Programs NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority), and Barbara Brancaccio, Executive VP and Chief Communications Officer NYCHA, revealed that while the agency is attempting to carry maintenance and repairs in an active community, disinvestment by the state and local governments has made operations difficult. “We are a public housing authority and our source of income can only be through a congressional allocation to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through an annual and bi-annual basis in terms of operations and capital investment - which has been a massive disinvestment for more than 40 years.”, says Brancaccio. “We actually have $8 billion dollars for capital needs but separately, our operating budget is actually a fraction of what we actually need to sustain ourselves as the largest public housing authority in all of North America.”

The Recovery and Resilience Program, established after superstorm Sandy, aimed at dividing and utilising its $3 billion dollar funding into two avenues: $1.7 billion for recovery, $1.3 billion for resilience. “NYCHA didn’t have access to it, really, until December of 2016,” Sinderbrand notes. “It was a shock to the whole city. Disaster recovery grants specific to superstorm Sandy paid for resilience work at the sites that were severely impacted by Sandy. You can see now that the work we do - the much broader adaptation plan and sustainability agenda - you can see going forward that we are trying to broaden that definition.” However, she adds that due to NYCHA’s financial constraints, the agency is operating where it can in the state of good repairs, as well as applying for grants pre and post disasters.

The interview brought to light how systematic disinvestment into public housing has caused a state of disrepair in NYCHA’s housing stock, with a recent audit finding that repairs will now NYCHA around $78 billion dollars. Sinderbrand outlined a specific process to apply for funding post-disasters to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), stating that negotiations during this process - that include site visits, engineering reports and more - impact how much funding an area receives. “We were looking for a consistent approach across all Red Hook buildings, we wanted the campuses to have equal treatment. Our top priorities with Red Hook were protecting against another superstorm Sandy. Red Hook has another billion dollars worth of needs, it’s really important to think about the investment we made as a start…”, says Sinderbrand.

Red Hook continues to grapple with declining health issues in this environment of disrepair. Despite efforts to rebuild, the combination of inadequate housing and unresolved health concerns underscores the urgent need for more effective and timely interventions, with community participation. It is critical for city officials to prioritize comprehensive solutions that take into account unintended consequences of climate resilience projects, especially as the need for more resilient infrastructure intensifies with climate change.

0.7 Future Research

Future research should explore the long-term health impacts of such large-scale redevelopment projects, particularly in undeserved communities. Additionally, policymakers must consider integrating health equity into climate adaptation strategies to ensure that resilience projects do not exacerbate existing disparities. Collaborative efforts between residents, public agencies, and researchers will be crucial in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future for Red Hook and similar communities.

From a data perspective, the following are areas for further research:

• Rat Sightings

• Indoor Air Quality

• Tree canopy coverage

• Ground level temperatures

• NYCHA Complaints

Due to the limitations of the data sets available, I see the benefit of collecting more first hand data to address the gaps in what is not publicly available. This could also be done by working with NYCHA to get more access to their data sets, for example, the complaints data. Finally, as this research was done alongside oral histories, I see the benefit of continueing to explore residents lived experience where data cannot extend to by getting broader range of interviews.

0.7.1 Methods Appendix

This study utilizes data from:

• Air Quality Data provided by the Center for Air, Climate and Energy Solutions (CACES)

• PLACES Health Outcome Data provided by the Center for Decease Control (CDC)

0.7.2 Citation

1. NYCHA. “Red Hook Sandy Groundbreaking.” NYCHA, 6 Sept. 2017, https://www.nyc.gov/site/nycha/about/press/pr-2017/red-hook-sandy-groundbreaking-20170906.page. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

2. Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF). “Resiliency + ❤: Storm Protection for a Vulnerable NYCHA Public Housing Site.” YouTube, uploaded by KPF, 14 Sept. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nadvQctW2D8. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

3. Pix11 News. “Community groups, residents rally for city construction at Red Hook Houses to stop during pandemic.” 28 July 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuF6uSdAdjU. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

4. Simões, Mariana, and Tatyana Turner. “12 Years After Hurricane Sandy, NYCHA’s Red Hook Residents Still Living in a Construction Zone.” City Limits, 30 Oct. 2024, https://citylimits.org/2024/10/30/12-years-after-hurricane-sandy-nychas-red-hook-residents-still-living-in-a-construction-zone/.

5. Salguero, Carolina. PortSide NewYork. Oral History interview. 28 Nov 2024.

6. Gonzalez, Lisa. Red Hook Houses Resident. Oral History interview. 4 Dec 2024.

7. McCoy, Nahisha. Red Hook Initiative Organiser. Oral History interview. 6 Dec 2024.

8. Cephas, Cheryl. Red Hook Houses Resident. Oral History interview. 4 Dec 2024.

9. Duvall, Julia. Red Hook Houses Resident. Oral History interview. 4 Dec 2024.

10. Sinderbrand, Joy. NYCHA. Interview. 10 Dec 2024.