Q&A
Council Member Avilés discusses HPD's enforcement activities and programs
1:46:47
·
6 min
Council Member Alexa Avilés inquires about HPD's enforcement activities, including emergency repairs, the alternative enforcement program (AEP), and fire door safety. HPD representatives provide information on collections, program targets, and the effectiveness of enforcement efforts.
- HPD works with the Department of Finance to collect fees and charges from property owners
- The AEP program includes 250 buildings annually, with about half resolving required violations within 4 months
- There is no specific budget dedicated to fire door safety, as it's part of the overall inspection and emergency repair program
Alexa Avilés
1:46:47
We we like that.
1:46:48
Unfortunately, I come from a district where there is.
1:46:51
No real affordable development.
1:46:54
Nor homeownership opportunities.
1:46:56
Everything seems unfortunately out of reach.
1:47:00
So we spend a lot of time around enforcement.
1:47:02
So I I wanna ask a little bit about enforcement.
1:47:07
How much how much money does HPD recover for each building that requires an intervention.
1:47:15
And obviously, not each building, but in total, what has HPD been able to recover on enforcement activities like emergency repairs or the open market work orders.
Adolfo Carrión Jr.
1:47:30
So let let me let me call on the deputy commissioner for enforcement to talk a little bit about that in in terms of some texture.
1:47:39
But I and I'm sure you you heard about, you know, the the news today about this slum lord that's going to jail for some time for abusing New Yorkers got hit with a $3,000,000 penalty.
1:47:57
And we have a suite of programs that go after them.
1:48:01
And so I'd like deputy commissioner, Anne Marie Santiago, talk a little bit about that.
AnnMarie Santiago
1:48:07
Thank you, commissioner.
1:48:08
Thank you, council member for your question.
1:48:11
Excuse me.
1:48:12
A couple of hearings ago, we did provide detail for to the chair regarding collections, generally speaking.
1:48:23
Obviously, the further back you look, the better our collections are.
1:48:27
Property owners are billed as you probably know through the Department of Finance for our emergency repair alternative enforcement program type fees and charges.
1:48:38
And the I'm sorry, the tax lien sale program that is is not currently in in place certainly was a help to us in terms of encouraging property owners to pay those charges and fees.
1:48:58
So we can once again refresh that data.
1:49:00
We work with our partners at the Department of Finance to report collections.
Alexa Avilés
1:49:07
I guess, we'll refresh.
1:49:08
We'll we'll refresh back.
1:49:10
How much why are they no PMMR targets for the alternative enforcement program and the underlining conditions program or 7a.
AnnMarie Santiago
1:49:23
I'm sorry.
1:49:23
What's the question?
Alexa Avilés
1:49:24
Why are there no PMMR targets for the alternative enforcement program or the 7A program program?
AnnMarie Santiago
1:49:31
So those programs bring in, as you know, different well, the 7A program brings in different numbers of buildings depending on our success in Housing Court or our tenant success in Housing Court.
1:49:43
So it's difficult to predict how many buildings and units are even in the program.
1:49:49
I think similar to AEP as the commissioner referenced earlier.
1:49:54
This is the largest number of units we have ever included in AEP this year starting January 31st.
1:50:03
And so again, the numbers will fluctuate based on how many units and are selected for the program.
1:50:11
For AEP, it's 250 buildings every year.
1:50:14
That is a set number.
1:50:16
But the buildings this year are much larger in general.
1:50:19
And so to set a target isn't clear when that number of units can fluctuate from cycle to cycle.
Alexa Avilés
1:50:28
Sure.
1:50:28
And are we seeing with the 250 buildings, are we seeing adequate remedy and what average amount of time?
AnnMarie Santiago
1:50:39
Again, as I was asked by council member brewer, it's a little bit of a difference for how quickly things are resolved.
1:50:50
Historically speaking, About half of the buildings resolve the required number of violations for discharge in about 4 months, which is the 1st initial period for the alternative enforcement program.
1:51:05
After that, the the penalties, the inspection fees are significant.
1:51:12
And so we do see a lot of buildings attempt to get out of that program within 4 months.
1:51:21
The time varies.
1:51:23
We have seen the buildings that stay in the program the longest are the smallest buildings.
Alexa Avilés
1:51:31
And and how long are they allowed to stay in that program before we move forward with affirmative action?
AnnMarie Santiago
1:51:37
The buildings can stay in the program for quite some time.
1:51:40
And again
UNKNOWN
1:51:41
I have a
AnnMarie Santiago
1:51:41
few smaller gas.
1:51:43
It's it's the smaller buildings that really face a lot of challenges in terms of being able to pay the emergency repair charges that's required for discharge doing the doing the violation correction.
1:51:58
As you know, the alternative enforcement program does address systemic issues and build things.
1:52:03
Right?
1:52:04
And we consistently respond and do emergency repair as necessary.
1:52:09
We do move some of those buildings through the 7 program as well.
Alexa Avilés
1:52:15
Thank you.
1:52:16
In terms of would I'm sorry.
1:52:20
I just lost my I lost my questions.
1:52:29
In terms of what is the budgeted and actual head count amongst HPD staff working to ensure fire door safety?
AnnMarie Santiago
1:52:42
So we have, and and I would defer to to the deputy commissioner to talk about the budget overall.
1:52:49
There is no budget dedicated specifically to fire door safety.
1:52:54
That is part of our total package.
1:52:57
Right?
1:52:58
So all inspectors are looking for fire safety, Our emergency repair program is committed to doing the fire safety repairs as necessary specifically for the self closing doors.
1:53:09
It's not a standalone program that I can pull out that number.
Alexa Avilés
1:53:16
Great.
1:53:17
Thank you.