TESTIMONY
Adam Roberts, Policy Director at Community Housing Improvement Program, on Housing Challenges and Legislation for New York's Voucher Holders
2:57:11
·
147 sec
Adam Roberts testifies on the difficulties voucher holders encounter in securing housing, advocating for policy changes and implementation of state legislation to address these issues.
- Roberts highlights the importance of Intro 210 and similar legislation that prevents limits on shelter stays, crucial for those awaiting permanent housing.
- He mentions significant vacancies in rent stabilized units due to high renovation costs, hindering access to affordable housing.
- Roberts criticizes city agencies for not implementing state law designed to improve housing access for voucher holders, affecting the quality and quantity available.
- Urges for the implementation of laws and policies that ensure better housing opportunities for voucher holders, particularly those in shelters.
- Represents New York housing providers, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions to the housing crisis affecting voucher holders.
Adam Roberts
2:57:11
Thank you for holding this hearing today.
2:57:13
I'm Adam Roberts, policy director for the Community Housing Improvement Program, also known as Chip, We represent New York's housing providers, including apartment building owners and managers.
2:57:24
Our members operate New York's rent stabilized housing, which makes up nearly 1,000,000 units of affordable housing for voucher holders and other New Yorkers.
2:57:33
We strongly support intro 210 and other legislation that prohibit city agencies from imposing limits on the length of shelters based.
2:57:41
Shelter say restrictions create a major challenge for residents living for permanent housing.
2:57:45
They rely on shelters as temporary housing while awaiting placement and rent stabilized or other types of permanent housing.
2:57:52
And the approval process to place voucher holders can take up to 6 months.
2:57:56
Yet limiting the length of time and shelters, even with other actions the council has taken like expanding voucher eligibility will not sufficiently help shelter residents secure permanent housing.
2:58:06
The biggest obstacle to permanently housing shelter residents is the lack of rental housing currently available to voucher holders.
2:58:13
Tens of thousands of rent stabilized units remain vacant after long term occupancies.
2:58:18
According to the Independent Budget Office, 42,275 units were vacant in 2022.
2:58:25
Of which 13,362 were vacant for 2 years.
2:58:29
And the 2023 housing and vacancy survey showed there were 26,310 units vacant, but not available in the 1st 6 months of 2023.
2:58:38
These apartments remain vacant because the renovation cost are incredibly costly.
2:58:43
Most departments coming off long term occupancies require light abatement, asbestos remediation, kitchen and bathroom renovation, electrical rewiring, and subfloor replacement.
2:58:52
Which combined can cost a $100,000 for a one bedroom unit.
2:58:56
This problem is compounded by a voucher holder's inability to use the full amount of their voucher if the apartment's legal rent is below the voucher amount.
2:59:05
2 years ago, the state created private housing finance law 610 to address this problem.
2:59:10
Unfortunately, city agencies refused to implement this law, severely reducing the amount and quality of housing available to voucher holders.
2:59:17
If voucher voucher holders would have access to better quality housing, if this law was implemented as broadly as the statutory language permits.
2:59:25
We appreciate the council's commitment to housing current and prospective voucher holders, particularly those residing in shelters.
2:59:31
However, we need to ensure homes are actually available for shelter residents, so there are places to permanently house them.
2:59:37
Again, thank you for holding the Siri today.
