Project to safely legalize basement apartments

New York City NY

Description

Last year, at least 11 New Yorkers perished in illegal basement apartments. Currently, multiple community organizations and lawmakers are advocating for legalization and regulation of basement apartments. I am a documentary photographer who for many years lived in an illegal single occupancy room and shared a house with my neighbors who lived in the basement apartment. Three of the people who drowned last year lived just around the corner from me. I would like to create a portrait project that shows that for many people, their basement apartments are homes. Simply cracking down and kicking people out is not a solution. If you live in an illegally converted basement, and are willing to be photographed in your home, please reach out to me. You cannot get in trouble for this. The city has no way to match the interior of your home to your address, and my project will not be widely distributed. I will only make it available to organizations who are advocating for safe basement legalization.