Forest Houses Child Care Center

c. 1956 - present

The Forest Houses Public Housing Project was built in 1954 as part of New York City's urban renewal project. The 15 buildings were built two blocks from the business district on Third Avenue, with the intention of creating a purely residential neighborhood. Before the buildings were even built, there was controversy and pushback from the primarily Black and Puerto Rican community. William S. Jackson, executive secretary of the Bronx Branch of the Urban League of Greater New York, was part of the creation of a committee to represent the members of the community, and provide a voice for any concerns. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts to the New York Housing Authority starting in the 1970s and continuing today, the buildings have fallen into some disrepair. From the beginning, Forest Houses was built with intention of having recreational and green spaces as part of the complex. Located on the complex is the Forest Houses Community Center, the New York Housing Authority offices, and the Forest Houses Child Care Center. The Forest Houses Community Center provided services for all ages, including the Child Care Center, a nursery for infants and toddlers. Former residents have fond memories of growing up in Forest Houses, where they forged strong bonds of friendship and community, even during the difficult budget cuts of the 1970s and 1980s. They have created a Facebook group to reminisce, and share photographs and memories.

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Details

Categories
Other, School
Instructional Level
Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten
Audience
Children
Founder(s)
New York Housing Authority
Corporate Body
New York Housing Authority
Tags
communityvoices, socialwelfare, budgetcuts, disrepair, community, NYCHA, multicultural, urbanrenewal

Location

  • 749 E 163rd St, Bronx, NY 10456, USA
    1956 - present

Archival Collections

References

  1. Amato, R., & Martinez, M. (2018, May 14). Forest Houses, A New York City Housing Project in the Morrisania Section of the South Bronx. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://theclio.com/entry/59210.
  2. Forest Houses - The projects in da Bronx. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/ForestHousesTheProjectsInDaBronx/community/?ref=page_internal
  3. RACIAL TOLERANCE FOR BRONX URGED: BOROUGH WANTS NO 'GHETTO' FOR NEGROES AND PUERTO RICANS, SAYS URBAN LEAGUE HEAD. (1952, Mar 09). New York Times (1923-) http://ezproxy.cul.columbia.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/racial-tolerance-bronx-urged/docview/112427121/se-2?accountid=10226
  4. Slack, S. (1960, Feb 06). Community Centers: Forest Neighborhood Houses. New York Amsterdam News (1943-1961) http://ezproxy.cul.columbia.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/community-centers/docview/225493336/se-2?accountid=10226