Housing Generations: Life in the Projects

Hear the matriarch of the Alston family, Virgie Alston, her son Carl, her daughter Karen and her son Jason. This is part of WNYC's four part series on public housing: www.wnyc.org/housing-generations/

[@615BlackBarbie]

It's not the "Projects" it's the People.

[@michaelbarrow3277]

Nicole Voorhies DAM RIGHT

[@saleemahmuhammad6656]

I moved in NYC housing when my two sons were young. I needed a 2 bedroom apartment and housing was the only thing that was affordable at the time. The building had a bad reputation, but I lived on a quiet floor. I stayed was there for 9 years. I was blessed to get out 30 years ago. It was a struggle, but we made it.

[@creamydistortion]

U $old crack

[@aiadanny]

Mrs' Alston is exaggerating not ALL of her children were incarcerated, though some were. Her daughter Sharon is a PhD. The recently deceased Walter ( Big Chick ) was incarcerated in his youth but spent many years tirelessly giving back to the community and giving guidance and direction to the youth of Queensbridge and helping the elderly. I know the entire family as we lived on the same block. The late Mr. Alston " Sonny " ( the Patriarch) was a good man - he had a hot dog van. I bought Hot Sausages from him in the good weather. He was always very protective of me and respectful towards my Mother and Grandmother. He loved to gamble and had a host of friends.Stanley ( who died sometime in the early "80s) was a true neighborhood character - we shared many a pint of wine - Stanley and I. Not everyone is born with privilege. Some people are born into poverty.Some people have differing cultures. People are people. We're much more alike than we are different. That's what my experience living for 20 + years in public housing taught me. It's a lesson that no amount of money can buy.

[@Smileyyy21]

How was he great when he gambled the money away?

[@missg1727]

If that ain't the truth. Money absolutely can't buy life experiences. If you haven't been there, growing up in the projects and poverty, you would not understand...

[@missg1727]

@@Smileyyy21 -He never said he gambled all his money away, he did well to have 12 children. Also, you didn't hear Mrs. Alston say they had any financial issues raising her children there. Oh and just because he gambled don't make him a bad person...you borderline judged him...

[@cool_scorpio2588]

Beautiful message ❤️

[@ramona2400]

I lived in the projects in NYC an I got out bout 50 years ago I now live in florida and live in a million dollar home in a gated community on the golf course. I went to school went to work and got the hell out of there. Thank you JESUS!!! You can get out of the projects if you work hard.

[@Drunkenfistmma]

ramona2400 ricky What city in Florida

[@dylab5051]

ramona2400 ricky that's fake

[@khamyrawilson-im4sd]

I know it lol

[@SILVERAMMO777]

All i have to say for you dude is I am happy you got the American Dream. I am working hard for mine. Anyone can do it if they put their heart and thoughts in to it.

[@paulaspruell910]

Gabriel Cuellar b

[@deneenjeffries2768]

Started life in the projects until my parents bought a home in Long Island when I was 11. Had good memories of childhood there. It wasn't so bad then. The projects can be a starting point it doesn't have to be a life long thing. I am married and we have raised our kids in our own home from the beginning

[@tinytt854]

Deneen Jeffries good for you. I had a house, 4 bdrms,3 sons and now I am in a studio. projects can be a starter and an ender when you get old and can only work retail part-time. I wish I could get a place in the projects.

[@deneenjeffries2768]

Tammy Ryder that was my point . Everyone there isn't on welfare or has no ambition. Well run public housing has its place.Whether it's a beginning or ending for people who need smaller places because of health or decline in income. Especially in places where the rents are so darn high.

[@LatriceSteward2015]

I live in the projects and I am so ready to go

[@niamh2212]

You still there man?

[@LatriceSteward2015]

Moving this summer

[@niamh2212]

I'm proud of you dude, 6 years later I said I'd comment. I'd love to see your place and all. Interesting

[@tay2944]

@@LatriceSteward2015 congrats ma’am

[@kevlem7189]

@@LatriceSteward2015 Your prolly outta there by now 😂

[@DanielSmith-mw5us]

I could be somebody? No I am somebody and I was somebody before you labeled me. I like the young man response great job KING.

[@reesmith9817]

I think the issue is the mindset they have. At some point you should want better and not be content

[@agonicole]

Ree Smith welfare pays

[@kawaiinoodle8592]

There is not enough money from welfare to make me want to stay on there thank goodness I was able to get off welfare

[@reesmith9817]

Est 1985 I agree with you! If you need welfare to survive and provide for your family there’s nothing wrong with that. But at some point you need to become self sufficient as much as possible.

[@kawaiinoodle8592]

Ree Smith right the problem is when people stop getting off

[@lxspa529]

Ree Smith sometimes it’s not about being content, it’s about having the resources. It’s expensive living in NY, it it were easy everyone would leave the projects but it’s not. Stop judging.

[@sunshine-oh3hm]

its not for generations its for people who are down for a moment that's why there are so many who cant get one

[@nyangel515]

Some people become the 'Big Fish' in the small pond, and then never want to leave. If high school would allow it, many cool and popular students would stay for generations.

[@noraarmenta1986]

I live in projects for almost 9 years and even tho their been so many horrible things that happen here but i still feel safe and live very comfortable here...i love it living in a 3 bedroom and 2 bath nice apts..only 197.00 a month everything included i can't ask for more

[@luisalbino8674]

Poor mentality

[@barbararazza4583]

So you're ok with other people paying your way. Right there is why no one respects people in the projects

[@KeyserTheRedBeard]

neat content WNYC. I crushed the thumbs up on your video. Always keep up the quality work.

[@lilharlemcutie]

12 kids God Bless and your family always

[@Doreenweix]

I am very pleased to see this young man in college. I hope it means a better life for him and his future family. I've seen the projects,in Chicogo, and that is no way to live. I live in a small city in Wisconsin, and our housing authority is swamped with black people from Illinois looking for a better life. fine with me, but where is the money coming from? I was in the h.a.'s office one day, and there was a lady just having a fit because her son who just got out of prison, couldn't live with her. I want a better life for all of us, but if you break the rules, that's it. those projects are nasty. they are building a new kind now. houses,not buildings. lots of space for kids. I hope they work better.

[@blacklacenyc6592]

I used to live in Queensbridge. I explain to people in other states that my old neighborhood was like a "city within a city". Yes, it has its share of crime like other places and parking sucked, but there were plenty of good qualities also. Everything was accessible: the hospitals, the library, laundromats, supermarkets, a Manhattan skyline view, public transportation, parks, cabs, schools, restaurants, etc. Most of the people were decent and of course some were not. It's the bad and criminal minded people that mess things up for everybody. Those individuals should stop throwing garbage all over our place of residence and stop urinating in the hallways, staircases, elevators, etc. We all can help keep our neighborhoods clean and safe. If it wasn't NYCHA poor people wouldn't have an affordable place to live in NYC ☺

[@princexmilano]

I love queensbrisge my home always

[@0mgskillz96]

the alston family famous in queensbridge, chicky her son was a notorious hustler in qb, and his son is mike delorean, famous qb rapper, plus they from 40-15 the building where cormega and horse are from, and in the next building nas, jungle and ill will, much love to qb

[@tamya9527]

How can u not have a desire to leave the projects .. someone help me understand???

[@barbararazza4583]

I'll never understand. Id drive a cab to keep my kid out

[@Savage-lh4jg]

Feels bad😢

[@saurarosa4817]

i loved where i lived in east new york, i was there for 36 years, until i moved to the down town area, thats where my son lost his life, and for no reason, just because we were the new people, every project ain't bad, i guess its where you move to, watch out the the high crime areas, thats what i should haved done,

[@melissarre6173]

Saura Rosa de gggvv

[@Ken-iu2zp]

I'm also from East NY. What part of downtown did u move? Fort green PJs is horrible.

[@barbararazza4583]

12 kids? All been to jail. This is the saddest thing I've seen so far.

[@jessethegoat4303]

Im homeless how can I apply for housing ? Im in queens I want to libe in queensbridge projects

[@nyangel515]

Hope you found a place to stay.. Astoria housing was much more quiet and calmer than Queensbridge. At least it was 30 years ago. 🤔 Queensbridge used to say Astoria was "soft".

[@papocam3853]

don't complain living @ nycha, you get what you pay for. I've known 3 generations living in 1 apartment @the SAME TIME. I wonder why the projects get a bad rap & maintenance?????

[@katiegonzalez1325]

how can i apply for the projects or where i have to go please answer anybody ???!!!!

[@princesswigs7536]

section 8 or a center call 311

[@bailey730]

Why the fuck would you want to live there? You tryna get shot?

[@wiscovirgo]

why would you want to go to the projects? It's not a fun place to live or be raised, it's tough.

[@Drunkenfistmma]

katie Gonzalez Stupid broke bitch

[@fatbrownbuffalo7027]

The fuck is this? Apply for section 8 housing, if this is the route you really want to take. Just don't be surprised if you+your kids get profiled/targeted even more by the NYPD. You'd be better off going through section 8 and living in an actual house. I rent 2 properties out via section 8... you do *not* want to live in the Projects.

[@Dbouttabag804]

god bless

[@tinytt854]

Affordable Rent! This place looks clean. Folks are articulate. I would LOVE to live in a place where I didn't have to worry about my paychecks changing from week to week, not knowing if I will be able to cover my rent and the extra 50 a week If I am late. possible eviction. I'd live in a project.

[@Skullfire56]

Tammy Ryder LMFAOOOOO

[@alek488]

Tammy Ryder projects are full of rats, roaches, drugs, gangs

[@keilol6666]

Tammy Ryder i know you lying...

[@AmazinMusicNYC]

I’m focusing on getting my drivers license so I can get a delivery job with FedEx or UPS brown So I can move out the projects

[@kevlem7189]

Yea projects all over america needa get fixed up wheres all this tax money going

[@Essays4College]

0:22 was that woman laughing when she said that all her kids have been in jail??

[@5280AcoGs]

Jenny Titus Obviously, its probably a way to hide her embarrassment.

[@cowabungahgeoff]

empathize with her, please.

[@torrrrezzz2348]

Jermaine~come on now, you are being disrespectful, especially when you consider the reasons behind why the three you listed went to jail.

[@isaacpowell1408]

Laughing keep you from crying 🤔

[@Smileyyy21]

I think that woman had a hard life. There was a person who commented and said that her husband loved to gamble. I wouldn't be surprised if he probably beat or raped her. So many children that she had.

[@armynurse01]

here

[@hiramrosajr8231]

In there defense even new york housing is expensive

[@lynneprice8463]

Hiram Rosa Jr to busy giving out freebie to non Americans replace the black people and while others lived off black people civil rights

[@Smileyyy21]

Do people in the projects work? If so do they work full-time jobs?

[@msgucci0099]

Yes they work. Lights aren't free. You have to pay for transportation, wash ya ass etc

[@Namemysiraw]

That heroin era is now it just flatlined for a min that's all it's been that way for years now I'm dam sure and I live in Detroit Michigan everyone over here gotta family member that was on or a recovering addict for sure at least one in the family

[@katrinashanelle7925]

If you love your kids get the fuck out of the projects. While some people leaving their kids property all you can do is put your child's name on the lease so they can take over your project apartment. Having people coming and inspecting your apartment every year is humiliating, use project housing to save money so you can get the fuck out of there. Nobody ever mentions this but poverty is dangerous and New York like San Francisco is extremely expensive 2500 a month for a studio in SF. So I understand people say move out of the city but this is the only place that has opportunities.

[@sanandreas818]

I have lived in the projects for almost my entire life and it was relatively comfortable. I have never struggled, but I do have hopes of moving out of here someday.

[@tom11zz884]

Most apartment complexes have inspections every year...public housing or not.

[@TheClubCam]

#DillardUniversity

[@mattsheezy5469]

It’s a sad thing when people start to love living in poverty. This is Stockholm Syndrome in it’s purest form. As for the cops, you can’t blame them for judging you based on the masses of irresponsible goons that inhabit the area. We all profile, making associations is what smart people do.

[@Ujoshuatree-iu4hc]

Matthew Coolness actually smart people do not profile or stereotype, this is a cognitive thinking for the lower IQ bracket

[@barbararazza4583]

Amen. I applaud your honesty. This is all true. Some people can't handle truth

[@AmazinMusicNYC]

There is no trade programs available for us poor people in the hood If we had that. all over the five boroughs more people would be able to leave the hood once they get certification as Plumbers Electricians Carpenters And so on…

[@beagangraham1443]

why in the world do people line up to get into these horrible cities?

[@agonicole]

Beagan Graham the apartments are free

[@lifeskater9899]

"Free" to who? My mother lived in the projects for almost 50 years-and paid rent.

[@zemokka2373]

if she was a rapper she wouldnt look god damme 127

[@Bear10312]

Twelve kids and they all went to jail. Good job!

[@tinytt854]

Bear10312 they went to jail. they were old enough to know better. they chose to do wrong. one can only point their kids in the right direction. they chose to stray. mom NEVER went to jail. they didn't learn by example. so yeah. good job.

[@Smileyyy21]

@@tinytt854 It's bad parenting.

[@lynneprice8463]

Bear10312 like the white families in west Virginia whole families on welfare generations check out the documentary called the white family people quick to talk about black folks but fail research about white folks

[@benhickz2878]

Project paper y'all was skipping in the hallways I was skipppping school all my p&q's all them people call me jiggeru..

[@jazznjayy]

how do u live in the project for over 50 years..smh

[@lynneprice8463]

Rell same way Jewish people lived on government assistance but better homes

[@user-qc6wi3dw5x]

Lady in the beginning living in the projects, obviously the income cant be too good...what can she do? Have another 9 kids? Yea that’ll help...i see it all the time and wonder why do people do that? Dont get me wrong she seems sweet and probably a good person, and she’s also not complaining or blaming anyone else...but alot of other women will put themselves in that situation and wonder why thier life sucks. As for the guy at the end in college...mad because the police checked him out and searched him...think of thier position...think of what goes on where u live, think of the people and situations they have to deal with day in and day out. Im white from Boston...not the projects but still in the city and I have been randomly stopped and searched multiple times. Unfortunately for me I actually was up to no good and had “stuff” on me (ill leave it at that)...but that doesnt change the fact I hadnt commited a crime, I just looked suspicious. Did it suck, absolutely...but im older now and living better and understand why it happened. And when he said you could be someone, maybe that was his way of giving you a compliment.

[@lynneprice8463]

andy1181985 white people live in projects as well research

[@barbararazza4583]

@@lynneprice8463 where

[@TiffanyWestNyc]

So sad people wanna stay there horrifying

[@slapshot68]

when u live in the projects, u better hav a college id or they (the cops) ain't goin to look at u kindly, its the sad truth

[@johnalver]

Ooo lort da pro-jects

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

generational poors....

[@briannabombshell1921]

I’d rather live a car than the projects. Sorry

[@tgmidaz223]

No u wouldn't

[@user-tx1gf4te5d]

Demolition ALL the Projects