Struggling Communities Ignored by NY's Brownfield Cleanup Program

An environmental watchdog group reveals that funds from New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program are not going to clean up the lower-income communities they were intended to help.

1 minute read

February 4, 2011, 12:00 PM PST

By Shay Kahen


The analysis made by the Environmental Advocates of New York points out major faults in New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program, which was originally meant "to stimulate economic development in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, while making such communities healthier and safer." Much of the funds or tax credits have instead been allocated to areas not in such dire need.

According to Environmental Advocates' research:

"Predominately African American or Latino neighborhoods are home to zero projects claiming tax credits. Nearly 33 percent of projects claiming credits are located in neighborhoods that are at least 90 percent Caucasian per the census."

Monday, January 31, 2011 in readMedia

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