Last year, two developments in NYC received an avalanche of media attention for their use of separate entrances for market-rate tenants and affordable housing tenants—what some called the “poor door.” Where did the “poor door” come from? And who benefits from it?
In Door Wars, a brand new Urban Investigation, a group of public high school students from Bronx Compass High School in Castle Hill tackled these questions with teaching artist Douglas Paulson. To get a glimpse behind the “poor door,” students interviewed heavy hitters like the President of the Real Estate Board of New York, a City Council Member, and an affordable housing advocate. The team took their findings and broke it all down with a funky animation.
Door Wars debuted at University Settlement, students presented the video and discussed their creative process.