Part I of this book describes the historical origins, the legislative reforms, and some of the special programs in housing for New York artists. Part II provides information about the specific legal and practical problems that concern artists in finding housing, along with an analysis of some of the potential solutions available. The analysis of special housing for artists begins by focusing upon the history of an area of lower Manhattan known as SoHo - an acronym derived from its location just south of Houston Street, a major east-west crossroad - from its colonization by artists through the state and municipal legislation affecting it, as an embodiment of the experiences and prospects of artists' housing in New York.

Smaller areas also discussed are NoHo, north of Houston Street, and TriBeca, a triangle below Canal Street, and the surrounding Washington Market area, where artists have spread from SoHo in increasing numbers to live and work. In addition, Westbeth and Manhattan Plaza, two private experimental non-profit housing projects devoted to living/work space for artists, are discussed as alternative responses to artists' needs. These histories provide an insight into the planning considerations important in artists' housing and a framework for study of the problems involved and their potential resolutions. (p. 8-9)

CONTENTS
Introduction.
The need for special space.

Part 1. Special programs:

Chapter 1. In the beginning-SoHo.
Chapter 2. The legislative response.
Chapter 3. Zoning for artists' housing.
Chapter 4. Beyond SoHo - NoHo and TriBeca.
Chapter 5. Westbeth and Manhattan Plaza.

Part 2. Special concerns:

Chapter 6. Where to rent.
Chapter 7. Artists-only programs.
Chapter 8. Leases.
Chapter 9. Illegal tenancy.
Chapter 10. Alternatives to renting: ownership.

Conclusion.
Looking forward.
Footnotes [bibliography].

Part I of this book describes the historical origins, the legislative reforms, and some of the special programs in housing for New York artists. Part II provides information about the specific legal and practical problems that concern artists in finding housing, along with an analysis of some of the potential solutions available. The analysis of special housing for artists begins by focusing upon the history of an area of lower Manhattan known as SoHo.