{"@context":"http://iiif.io/api/presentation/3/context.json","id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/iiif/9p2w37mq0k/manifest","type":"Manifest","label":{"en":["Episode 5: Invisible Homeless"]},"logo":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/010/original/Aviary_QPLlogo_192x192.png?1578574261","metadata":[{"label":{"en":["Date"]},"value":{"en":["2022-05-09 (released)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Type"]},"value":{"en":["Audio"]}},{"label":{"en":["Description"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003eThis episode is also available in Mandarin. You can find it in our podcast feed. \u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this episode, our producer, Stella Gu, presents the story of a family tragedy in the wake of a historic flood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eResources mentioned in the episode can be found below:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/realestate/better-than-the-powerball.html\"\u003eBetter Than the Powerball\u003c/a\u003e, Julie Satow, NYT, Jan 11. 2019\r\n\u003ca href=\"https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/nyc-funded-pilot-to-make-basement-apartments-safer-but-then-went-off-track\"\u003eNYC Funded a Pilot to Make Basement Apartments Safer, But Then It Went Off Track\u003c/a\u003e, Roshan Abraham, Next City, Oct 13, 2021\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis episode was produced by Stella Gu in conjunction with Melody Cao, Anna Williams, and Natalie Milbrodt. It was hosted by J. Faye Yuan.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMixing and editing by Cory Choy with music composed by Elias Ravin. \u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVoiceover work by Xia Liangjie and Chen Xiaojun.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecial thanks to Chen Xiaojun, Zhang Dechao, and Xia Liangjie. \u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis podcast has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this episode are those of its creators and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of National Endowment for the Humanities, Queens Public Library, the City University of New York, or their employees.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe news clips quoted in the episodes are from:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\nAfter Ida: Three More People Found Dead In Basement Apartment In Queens, CBS New York, Sep 2, 2021；\r\nNew York Flooding: At Least 9 Die as Storm's Remnants Bring Flash Floods, Tornados to Northeast, ABC11, Sep 2, 2021;\r\nThe Wrath of Hurricane Ida: New York Announces its First-Ever Flash-Flood Emergency, DW News,Sep 2, 2021;\r\nAt Least 12 Killed in NYC Amid Basement Apartment Flooding during Ida, ABC7NY, Sep 2, 2021;\r\nIda Flooding Kills Queens Family, Including Toddler, ABC7NY, Sep 2, 2021\r\n (general)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Rights Statement"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003eThis audio piece was produced by the Queens Memory Project and is available for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License. For inquiries, please contact queensmemory@queenslibrary.org.\u003c/p\u003e"]}},{"label":{"en":["Agent"]},"value":{"en":["Chen Xiaojun (Contributor)","Zhang Dechao (Contributor)","Xia Liangjie (Contributor)","J. Faye Yuan (Host)","Melody Cao (Executive Producer)","Stella Gu (Producer)","Natalie Milbrodt (Producer)","Anna Williams (Executive Editor)","Elias Ravin (Composer)","Cory Choy (Sound Mixer and Editor)"]}},{"label":{"en":["Language"]},"value":{"en":["English (primary)","Mandarin Chinese (secondary)"]}}],"summary":{"en":["\u003cp\u003eThis episode is also available in Mandarin. You can find it in our podcast feed.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn this episode, our producer, Stella Gu, presents the story of a family tragedy in the wake of a historic flood.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eResources mentioned in the episode can be found below:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/realestate/better-than-the-powerball.html\"\u003eBetter Than the Powerball\u003c/a\u003e, Julie Satow, NYT, Jan 11. 2019\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/nyc-funded-pilot-to-make-basement-apartments-safer-but-then-went-off-track\"\u003eNYC Funded a Pilot to Make Basement Apartments Safer, But Then It Went Off Track\u003c/a\u003e, Roshan Abraham, Next City, Oct 13, 2021\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis episode was produced by Stella Gu in conjunction with Melody Cao, Anna Williams, and Natalie Milbrodt. It was hosted by J. Faye Yuan.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMixing and editing by Cory Choy with music composed by Elias Ravin.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eVoiceover work by Xia Liangjie and Chen Xiaojun.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSpecial thanks to Chen Xiaojun, Zhang Dechao, and Xia Liangjie.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis podcast has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this episode are those of its creators and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of National Endowment for the Humanities, Queens Public Library, the City University of New York, or their employees.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe news clips quoted in the episodes are from:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAfter Ida: Three More People Found Dead In Basement Apartment In Queens, CBS New York, Sep 2, 2021；\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eNew York Flooding: At Least 9 Die as Storm's Remnants Bring Flash Floods, Tornados to Northeast, ABC11, Sep 2, 2021;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe Wrath of Hurricane Ida: New York Announces its First-Ever Flash-Flood Emergency, DW News,Sep 2, 2021;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAt Least 12 Killed in NYC Amid Basement Apartment Flooding during Ida, ABC7NY, Sep 2, 2021;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eIda Flooding Kills Queens Family, Including Toddler, ABC7NY, Sep 2, 2021\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e"]},"requiredStatement":{"label":{"en":["Attribution"]},"value":{"en":["\u003cp\u003eThis audio piece was produced by the Queens Memory Project and is available for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License. For inquiries, please contact queensmemory@queenslibrary.org.\u003c/p\u003e"]}},"provider":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/aboutus","type":"Agent","label":{"en":["Queens Public Library"]},"homepage":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/","type":"Text","label":{"en":["Queens Public Library"]},"format":"text/html"}],"logo":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/organizations/logo_images/000/000/010/original/Aviary_QPLlogo_192x192.png?1578574261","type":"Image"}]}],"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collection_resource_files/thumbnails/000/159/631/small/Screenshot_%28123%29.png?1652189344","type":"Image","format":"image/png"}],"items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631","type":"Canvas","label":{"en":["Media File 1 of 1 - QMP_05_StellaGu_InvisibleHomeless_2022-05-03.mp3"]},"duration":1335.888,"width":640,"height":360,"thumbnail":[{"id":"https://d9jk7wjtjpu5g.cloudfront.net/collection_resource_files/thumbnails/000/159/631/small/Screenshot_%28123%29.png?1652189344","type":"Image","format":"image/png"}],"items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/content/1","type":"AnnotationPage","items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/content/1/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"painting","body":{"id":"https://aviary-p-queenslibrary.s3.wasabisys.com/collection_resource_files/resource_files/000/159/631/original/QMP_05_StellaGu_InvisibleHomeless_2022-05-03.mp3?1652103465","type":"Audio","format":"audio/mpeg","duration":1335.888,"width":640,"height":360},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631","metadata":[]}]}],"annotations":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751","type":"AnnotationPage","label":{"en":["Full Transcript [Transcript]"]},"items":[{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/1","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"J. Faye Yuan: This episode of the Queens Memory Podcast has been produced in English. If you’d like to listen in Mandarin, you can find that version in our podcast feed as well.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=0.0,9.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/2","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu: 本集《皇後區記憶》播客節目用英文制作，如果您想收聽中文普通話版，可以在我們的播客資訊里找到","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=9.0,15.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/3","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"J. Faye Yuan: You’re listening to Season 3 of the Queens Memory Podcast. My name is J. Faye Yuan, and I’m the Queens Memory Curator. In this season, “Our Major Minor Voices,” we feature stories from our neighbors of Asian descent in Queens, New York.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=15.0,95.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/4","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"J. Faye Yuan: Too often, these voices are deemed “minor” – as in “of a minority.” But in this series – as in our borough – they are a major force. One in four borough residents identifies as Asian-American. The stories they tell reflect their ongoing struggles and triumphs. They are our stories – a vital part of who we are – and together they represent a snapshot of our ever-changing neighborhoods as they are now.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=95.0,3617.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/5","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"J. Faye Yuan: In this episode, our producer Stella Gu presents the story of a family tragedy in the wake of a historic flood... Let’s listen.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=3617.0,3692.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/6","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：Sep 1st， 2021, On what many thought would be a normal pandemic , the remnants of Hurricane Ida swept through New York City. Although the storm originally made landfall in New Orleans days before as a Category 4 hurricane, its strength in New York City was not well forecasted, leaving residents and officials under-prepared for the destruction it would cause. No other borough would pay a bigger price than Queens. Out of the 13 who lost their lives in New York City, 11 lived in Queens, and 10 occupied the same type of illegal apartment. Three were a family living on Peck Avenue – a father, a mother, and a daughter.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=3692.0,3760.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/7","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：In early news reports, the Chinese family had no name and was a mere statistic. No one knew who they were, even within the Chinese community. It would not be easy to identify them.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=3760.0,3775.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/8","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Zhang Dechao：She told me the male victim was from Hu Bei, same province I was from, asked if I knew him since I am the president of HuBei Association, but I had no idea who that was.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=3775.0,3787.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/9","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：Zhang Dechao, a Chinese medicine practitioner and president of the Hu Bei Province Association, took it upon himself to find out.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=3787.0,3798.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/10","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Zhang Dechao：This accident happened on Sep 1st, 2021, it was a 500-year storm, I wasn't aware of this until the journalist from the World Journal called me, she told me the male victim was from Hu Bei, same province I was from, asked if I knew him since I am the president of HuBei Association, but I had no idea who that was. We started to ask around from the senior center and nursing home, to see if anyone knew someone his age and from Hu Bei. Eventually we got to know his last name and then found out his full name, Leng Hong Sheng.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=3798.0,3826.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/11","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Zhang Dechao：But we couldn't get in touch with their families. Later through someone from Hu Bei, we got the number of the brother-in-law of Mr Leng in China, and at that time my son was in China, so I asked him to make the phone call as soon as possible. We called many times but no one picked up because he thought it was a scam, eventually we contacted the neighborhood committee and local police, finally got in touch with them.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=3826.0,3863.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/12","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：It’s hard to imagine today how chaotic it must have been that night, when I stand in front of the once flooded house on Peck Avenue. This small neighborhood is strangely situated in Kissena Park. 100 years ago no one lived here. There was a creek called Kissena creek which later was buried. In Chippewa, Kissena means cool water.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=3863.0,3894.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/13","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Zhang Dechao：That place is the lowest area in Flushing, it was originally a swamp then dried out, there was even a bridge, and later somehow houses got built here. Every year it would be flooded whenever it rains. Later on, a park was built here, one meadowland and one wetland, it’s not suitable for people to live here. But I don’t know why the housing situation didn’t get attention from the government. So many underserved groups live here, the drainage system should have been improved. It is questionable whether the situation there is completely following the safety code, that’s why you see so many residents here are low-income Chinese immigrants. Otherwise who wants to risk living in a basement like this.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=3894.0,3950.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/14","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Zhang Dechao：Normally a basement has a window above ground. But Mr Leng’s window was 2 - 3 feet below the ground level. You walk down a 12-step stairway to his door. That area is already the lowest in Flushing, that basement was truly the lowest of the lowest. That’s why all the water went to his basement that night within a couple minutes. Tons of water rushed to their door, they didn’t stand a chance.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=3950.0,3984.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/15","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Zhang Dechao：The Leng family went to bed early, the storm happened late at night, they must have thought it was safe to stay at home. But that place flooded every year, the problem never got resolved. The reason they stuck to living there is that they had applied for affordable housing, and were hopeful that they would be able to move out very soon. They waited and waited, their turn never came.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=3984.0,4011.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/16","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Zhang Dechao：Speaking of the illegal basements issue in Flushing —- who wants to live in a basement like that? No one would if they have other choices. The people who live there don't have a choice, they cannot afford anything else. This is why I think the government has responsibility for this.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4011.0,4031.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/17","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：Different types of affordable housing programs exist for low income groups. The most common two are public buildings – which have a long waiting list – and affordable housing lotteries. Public buildings owned by the government are very limited in number. Once your application is approved, your waiting time could be ten years or more. While the affordable housing lottery is a cooperation between the government and commercial real estate developers.  Eligible applicants secure apartments based entirely on luck.Both routes to affordable housing are complicated, though once you’re in, you’re in for life. But for people who wait in line for years, the lottery can feel cruel, and in Mr. Leng’s case - fatal.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4031.0,4086.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/18","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Just like so many other immigrants who traveled thousands of miles to relocate to the U.S, Mr.Leng started his journey with hope . But he ended up without even a safe home. The ashes of Leng’s family were eventually shipped to China in a volunteer cargo truck.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4086.0,4117.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/19","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Zhang Dechao: Mr. Leng was in his 80s, his wife was in her 60s, his daughter in her 30s, and was autistic, a very disadvantaged family. Mr Leng came to the U.S. alone when his daughter was five, and never reunited with his family until over 20 years later. Even in the last few years they spent together, life was harsh and difficult. Despite her medical situation, Mr Leng’s daughter was very sweet and crafty. She had a talent for weaving, and she made some beautiful crafts.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4117.0,4165.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/20","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Zhang Dechao: Mr. Leng himself was talented too. He was an engineer back in China, and came to the U.S for a painting exhibition. He was artistic and romantic, and drove all the way from California to New York. Trained as an engineer, painting was his hobby. But here in the U.S, there are too many artists better than him. He couldn’t make a living just on his art alone. As he grew older, he lived a frugal life, collected bottles and used furniture in exchange for living expenses.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4165.0,4211.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/21","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Zhang Dechao: I think the New York government didn’t pay enough attention to our community. The Chinese community contributed a lot of outstanding talents in education, technology, healthcare and sports, but we rarely make any demands, and our voices are barely heard. We urge the government to pay more attention to us, to the Chinese community in New York, Chinese in all of the U.S. Addressing the living conditions in Flushing must take priority, the elderly and marginalized residents there are in dire need of help. They can do nothing but wait.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4211.0,4252.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/22","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"J. Faye Yuan: For the Chinese community in Queens, stories like Mr. Leng’s are far too common. Affordable and safe housing has been a critical issue for years, though it often goes overlooked.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4252.0,4264.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/23","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"In this next segment, we hear more about the conditions that led to the Leng family’s tragedy.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4264.0,4270.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/24","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：When a tragedy like this occurs, we always wonder what we could have done to prevent it from happening. The house the Leng family lived in had 9 complaints filed against it from 2000-2007. 8 of them were either about the illegal conversion of basements or about the space being overcrowded with too many occupants.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4270.0,4293.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/25","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：The complaints disappeared after 2007, but when the Leng families’ bodies were found floating in the basement, people realized the problem had not disappeared.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4293.0,4307.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/26","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：And the problem is twofold - in both supply and demand. Even as affordable housing units remain in short supply, people like Mr. Leng would keep applying, hoping against all hope that one day they would win the lottery. The best things in life are worth waiting for. Housing is one of those things for Chinese families. There’s a saying in Chinese - 安身立命. The home is where the soul comes to rest, on the grounds of which new life can take hold. The so-called “housing security” in Chinese culture is more than just an economic ideal, it’s a spiritual one tied to one’s sense of belonging in this world.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4307.0,4357.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/27","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：And yet due to the affordable housing crunch in Queens, families are forced to wait - often with no end in sight. It’s during this waiting period that decisions are made to cut corners - with the goal of saving for a better future.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4357.0,4380.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/28","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Mrs. CHEN: New immigrants, no matter what they did before, they always have a transition period. They might not make enough money  as before or their life is not as good as before. Really few people have a better life than before. Immigrants come to the U.S. for many reasons, maybe for children’s education,maybe for his or her own career. When they settle here, they save as much money as they can. They don’t expect a big house. The reality is when they don’t have money, they can’t afford and they are afraid to be responsible for what they can not afford. They just want to save money for the future.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4380.0,4439.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/29","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：Many Chinese immigrants go to great lengths to save money on housing.One case in particular that stood out to Mrs Chen,  a senior consultant of applying affordable housing for Chinese.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4439.0,4453.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/30","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Mrs. CHEN: Not long after I started working with the nonprofit organization,there was a case that shocked me. The fire Department called our office and said that  they needed to evacuate residents of an entire building because too many people lived there,overcrowded. We all went to help. I saw several men running away from the building with their blankets. I was sad, very sad. It was November, I asked them the reason they were running, they said that was the police there, and I realized they were undocumented residents. Then I went up to the second floor, I saw there were four units, but they broke down the walls to make it into many small roomes or open space. There were many bunk beds, seven or eight families lived in one room. They felt O.K with the living conditions,they got along well, but the government identified the situation as against fire code and a fire hazard. The building needed to be evacuated.The residents  registered by city government or red cross were sent to shelter, and eventually relocated to public buildings or affordable houses. 200 people lived on the whole second floor.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4453.0,4570.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/31","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：Such cases have become all too common in the past twenty years, with the number of applications skyrocketing and supply of homes dwindling. The ongoing waves of immigration further intensified the housing crisis. In 2018, 4.6 million people applied for affordable housing in New York City. The odds were 1:592, meaning only 1 in 592 applicants would succeed in securing a home. By comparison, in 2011, the odds were 1:63.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4570.0,4608.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/32","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：In fact, the basement Mr Leng’s family lived in was shared by two other families who were not home luckily the night of the storm.  Still, many others are pushing their luck, living in illegally converted basements and simply hoping for the best.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4608.0,4627.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/33","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Mrs. CHEN: We have to realize that those people came to here 30 years ago are still here in Flushing Today. But their earning power has decreased because they are saving money for their children’s education.Their children are maybe doctors, some may have become lawyers and bought a housing unit in Manhattan but the elder are still here, and not all new immigrants come here with lots of money, most of them are just ordinary people. I am trying to say that certain immigrants are still here but new are coming.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4627.0,4678.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/34","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Mrs. CHEN: The new building in Flushing today, for example the Skyview, 1200/sq feet, who wants it? A studio only can fit one to two people. Why not buy a house, chopping into small rooms, and rent the basement out .That’s because it’s so hard for people to save money for the down payment, and still need to pay thousands of money for mortgage and property taxes every month. But the income is just enough to cover these expenses. So people need to convert the house to get more income. And also, there is a market  demand, that's the reason illegal subletting, illegal conversion really prevails with Coops privately owned houses.  Some owners may handle the situation better, not being as greedy. They might live in one room and rent out another one, but for those who want more money, they just  illegally convert the house into many more rooms in violation of the fire code. When the accident happens, those renters will become the victims.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4678.0,4766.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/35","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Mrs. CHEN: You think Chinese people always have a place to live, but in theory, they are homeless, they are the invisible homeless, they are not wandering on the street, they might have a job, but they are living double up or triple up with so many people,  are they homeless? You tell me.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4766.0,4799.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/36","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：Leng’s family was among the invisible homeless. They died invisible, waiting for a home that never materialized. This tragedy sheds light on the affordable housing crisis and the human costs it exacts. After Hurricane Ida, the city government made a promise to landlords that they won’t get fined should someone be found living in their basement. Although this prevented some tenants from being evicted, appeasing landlords is not a permanent solution. In 2019, a new program called the Basement Apartment Conversion Pilot Project  was launched to fund safety upgrades for illegal basement apartments.  Unfortunately, much of its administrative funding was stripped in 2020 in response to pandemic budget cuts.  Whether it's to increase affordable housing supply or to fund landlords' safety upgrades, the invisible homeless are still waiting for a real solution.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4799.0,4870.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/37","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Stella Gu：For the Queens Memory Podcast, I’m Stella Gu.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4870.0,4873.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/38","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"This episode was produced by Stella Gu in conjunction with Melody Cao, Anna Williams, and Natalie Milbrodt.\r\nVoiceover work by Xiaojun Chen and Liangjie Xia.Special thanks to Korean American author Cathy Park Hong, whos 2020 book Minor Feelings inspired the title of this series.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4873.0,4895.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/39","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"Join us next time for more stories from our Queens neighbors.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4895.0,4899.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/40","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"The Queens Memory Podcast is a production of the Queens Memory Project. For full transcripts, show notes from this episode visit QueensMemory dot org forward slash podcast.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4899.0,4910.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/41","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"This podcast has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Queens Memory is an ongoing community archiving program by Queens Public Library and Queens College CUNY.\r\nThe views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this episode are those of its creators and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of National Endowment for the Humanities, Queens Public Library, the City University of New York, or their employees.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4910.0,4943.0"},{"id":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631/transcript/37751/annotation/42","type":"Annotation","motivation":"transcribing","body":{"type":"TextualBody","value":"I'm J. Faye Yuan. Listen with us next time on Queens Memory.","format":"text/plain"},"target":"https://queenslibrary.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1826/collection_resources/73900/file/159631#t=4943.0,1335.888"}]}]}]}