In the family dynamic of American culture, the middle child often feels overlooked, caught between the privileges afforded to the oldest and the attention lavished on the youngest. This metaphor resonates profoundly with the current housing crisis in New York, particularly in Brooklyn, where working-class families — the unsung heroes of our city — are being pushed to the margins.
These families include teachers, nurses, transit workers, and union members — those we deemed “essential” during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are the backbone of our city, yet they face an increasingly hostile housing market that seems to have forgotten them. With rising rents and stagnant wages, many working-class families find themselves in a precarious position: earning too much to qualify for assistance but not enough to afford a decent home.
Current housing policies exacerbate this issue. The income limits set by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) often leave families earning between $50,000 and $100,000 on the sidelines. With Area Median Incomes (AMI) set at $140,000 or more, these families struggle to keep up with skyrocketing rents that can exceed $4,000 a month. The once-accepted norm of spending no more than 30% of income on housing has become a distant dream.
As a city, we are not short on housing; we are short on affordability. New developments frequently cater to wealthier residents, while essential workers are left with limited options. The debate about affordable housing often devolves into blame, whether it’s NIMBYs (Not In My Backyards) resisting change or YIMBYs (Yes In My Backyards) advocating for poorly planned developments at sizes that resemble college dorms rather than family homes. Both sides seem to forget the real issue: how to create a housing landscape that serves the middle class.
The lack of attention to property tax assessments and economic fluctuations only compounds the problem. Families in Brooklyn’s Canarsie, East Flatbush, fortunate enough to own homes — areas that are diverse and aging — face the threat of losing them as rising costs outpace their incomes. For those renting, the struggle is equally daunting, with many pushed into shelters due to a lack of affordable options.
The consequences are real. Over the past two years, New York has lost more than a quarter of a million residents — not to greener pastures, but because rent has become “too damn high.” Even younger generations, often accused of gentrifying neighborhoods, cannot afford the high prices in once-accessible areas like Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
What is to become of the middle child in New York? If we do not shift our focus to prioritize these working families, we risk erasing the very fabric of our communities. Our leaders must advocate for policies that genuinely promote affordability, moving away from tax breaks for luxury developments that ignore the rule of the Fair Housing Act by using public money for market-rate housing, instead investing in homes that middle-class families can actually afford.
It is time to give the middle child the attention they deserve. We can push our elected leaders to finally change the AMI calculator, which has handicapped middle-class communities for decades. We can incorporate guardrails for developers building “as of right” projects. By prioritizing affordable housing for those who keep our city running, we can ensure that New York remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, creating a balance for everyone. The health and vitality of our city depend on it.
Khari Edwards is a Democratic candidate for Brooklyn borough president in 2025. He is a father, husband, and lifelong Brooklynite with more than 25 years of public service dedicated to improving community outcomes in issues such as healthcare, public education, housing, and gun violence.