to
Center for Brooklyn History
This exhibition was originally organized and published by the Brooklyn Historical Society.
Tivoli: A Place We Call Home is an exhibition of photographs, words, and video documenting the people of Tivoli Towers, a 35-year-old apartment building in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
The neighborhood once struggled from disinvestment and neglect, and today faces rapid gentrification. Tivoli Towers is one of the few buildings in the neighborhood that has not been gentrified as yet, thanks to its status in the city-sponsored Mitchell-Lama affordable housing program. When the landlord recently tried to sell the building and remove it from the Mitchell-Lama Program, the tenants sued and won. Since several NYC landlords have successfully removed their buildings from this program, this proved to be a landmark decision and important victory in 2005.
In May 2009, the tenants were informed that their landlord is going to appeal the case. If he wins, Tivoli Towers will no longer provide affordable housing for this diverse community of people. Tivoli: A Place We Call Home put a face and identity on Tivoli's tenants at the onset of gentrification in this Brooklyn neighborhood. This project was produced by photographer/filmmaker, Delphine Fawundu Buford, along with filmmakers Scott Brathwaite and Anthony Clouden Jr.This exhibition was made possible through generous support from The Lily Auchincloss Foundation.
Tivoli: A Place We Call Home is an exhibition of photographs, words, and video documenting the people of Tivoli Towers, a 35-year-old apartment building in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
The neighborhood once struggled from disinvestment and neglect, and today faces rapid gentrification. Tivoli Towers is one of the few buildings in the neighborhood that has not been gentrified as yet, thanks to its status in the city-sponsored Mitchell-Lama affordable housing program. When the landlord recently tried to sell the building and remove it from the Mitchell-Lama Program, the tenants sued and won. Since several NYC landlords have successfully removed their buildings from this program, this proved to be a landmark decision and important victory in 2005.
In May 2009, the tenants were informed that their landlord is going to appeal the case. If he wins, Tivoli Towers will no longer provide affordable housing for this diverse community of people. Tivoli: A Place We Call Home put a face and identity on Tivoli's tenants at the onset of gentrification in this Brooklyn neighborhood. This project was produced by photographer/filmmaker, Delphine Fawundu Buford, along with filmmakers Scott Brathwaite and Anthony Clouden Jr.This exhibition was made possible through generous support from The Lily Auchincloss Foundation.