A Film About Frederick Douglass Houses' Original Tenants
The Frederick Douglass Housing Development (FDHD) was built in the 1950’s to house New Yorkers who had been living in overcrowded and/or unsafe tenements. The development was part of a Federal Housing Program signed into law by President Harold Truman in 1949. The program later became better known as Urban Renewal.
In New York State, a massive Urban Renewal program was run by Robert Moses, known as the “Master Builder” of mid-20th century New York City. The objective was to transform entire communities.
.jpg)
In fact, Urban Renewal was both a curse and a blessing. It uprooted thousands as it tore down housing, stores, movie theaters – essentially everything in its way to provide space for new developments. Sometimes, families were temporarily relocated and then returned when the new housing was finished. Often families and entire communities were forced to migrate permanently elsewhere in the city.
On the positive side, Urban Renewal enabled the building of Frederick Douglass Houses. Owned and operated by New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), FDHD was created in the Manhattan Valley section of the New York City’s Upper West Side. FDHD was opened with 2,056 apartments to house 4,588 residents.
The project’s original tenants were a diverse population who either had previously lived on the site, near the site or in other parts of NYC. Eighty-five percent of the new residents were African American or Puerto Rican; 60% had serious financial problems (one-third received welfare); 45% had female head of households and 46% had children under 18 years old. They all came looking for a better life and a safe, secure environment in which to raise children.
One of the key increments of the story is the Community Center, operated by Children Aids Society. The center became a home away from home for FDHD’s families and children.
This documentary focuses on some of the original tenants who moved into FDHD: where they came from, how growing up in the project affected them and where they are now. They tell their stories in their own words. The stories are a testament to growing up poor in New York City. Some of the stories are uplifting and others are sad. They are all real.