The Gravesend Houses are located in the Gravesend neighborhood in the Bronx. These houses are bordered by West 33rd Street, Neptune Avenue, and Bayview Avenue. Built in 1954, the number of buildings and residents at these houses is unclear, but it is estimated that it consists of multiple buildings, hundreds of units, and thousands of residents. These houses were constructed on land that was once part of the 17th century town of Gravesend.
The area of Gravesend was founded by Lady Deborah Moody in 1645, an English noblewoman and anabaptist. Overtime Gravesend would become part of the Brooklyn community in the 20th century. This is also the time that the Gravesend houses would be built and it would become home to any immigrant families. Over time this community would grow to be a tight knit one, and is now an important staple of the community.
These houses have faced issues in the past such as deteriorating conditions, with residents complaining about the lack of upgrades and outdated infrastructure. A lot of these issues are caused by a lack of funding for these buildings. Gravesend Houses have also had residents from this development band together and file a lawsuit against the housing authority, over issues commonly faced such as mold, lead paint, and lack of heat. There are groups such as the Gravesend Houses Tenants Association that advocate for the improvements of this development.
Keith Suber, a former gang member turned activist, would advocate for at-risk youth, helping kids to not go down the same path he went down, helping to reduce violence and present more opportunities to communities. Shavon Meyers a black female photographer, is also from these houses. She is also a published poet and is known for celebrating the culture of communities like hers and those alike.
Although having dealt with issues in the past, the Gravesend Houses seem as though they would be a great place to live, being made better by the community unity and culture that surrounds it.
