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Public Advocate's statement on housing and building safety concerns
0:07:44
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3 min
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Public Advocate Jumaane Williams addresses various housing and building safety issues, including staffing shortages at HPD and DOB, infrastructure concerns, and the increase in lithium-ion battery fires. He calls for more inspectors and funding to address these challenges.
- HPD and DOB face significant staffing shortages, impacting their ability to meet goals
- There's a concerning trend in overall infrastructure and building safety
- Lithium-ion battery fires have increased, causing numerous deaths and injuries
- Williams emphasizes the need for more inspectors to identify violations and address emergency complaints
- He calls for maintaining funding for vital services and fully staffing HPD and DOB
Jumaane Williams
0:07:44
Thank you very much, ma'am, chair.
0:07:46
As I mentioned before, my name is Germaine Williams.
0:07:48
I'm a public advocate for the city of New York.
0:07:49
Thank you very much to cheers, sanchez, and members of the committee on housing buildings.
0:07:53
Home is hearing allowing me the opportunity to provide a statement just first before I even get this statement and before I the statement was written.
0:08:00
This morning, there was announcement of and the rest of Daniel Upsilom.
0:08:03
So I just want to congratulate HPD and the administration.
0:08:07
I did read in the your press release that there was a reference to his name being on lists of worth landlord.
0:08:16
Shows unintentional omission, but those lists are public advocacy list, and so we're very part of those.
0:08:21
And he was on the list for many years, and number 1, 2 years in a row.
0:08:25
And as I said before, I don't think anything's gonna change until arrest are made or buildings are taken away.
0:08:30
And what I'm glad to see the administration is moving in the right direction.
0:08:34
New York City's housing crisis has progressively worsened over the past couple of years with the COVID 19 pandemic exacerbating it in every aspect.
0:08:42
Housing agencies have faced high attrition rates with the Department of Housing And Preservation Development, HPD, losing nearly a third of its full time employees, many of whom were experienced staff in the period between April 2020 and April in October 2022.
0:08:55
As of January 2024, the vacancy rate for HPD was 7.7%, accounted for 205 positions.
0:09:02
While there are clear indications that HPD has rebounded from pandemic, low production in fiscal year 23, which we're happy about, rising from the low point of the previous fiscal year, Staffing shortages continues to negatively impact the agency's capacity.
0:09:15
The average time for capital project and completion has increased as well as median time for application improvement in housing lottery up to 192 days from the previous median of 88, leaving affordable units sitting empty 4 months on end.
0:09:28
And I will be speaking about DOB later, but I'd like to say, with vacancy rate of 5.6.
0:09:33
The Department of Billings, DOB, faced similar staffing challenges, having met only 43% of its goals in the first few months of fiscal year 24.
0:09:42
From building and parking lot collapses to dangerous crane incidents, there is a concerning trend in overall infrastructure and building safety.
0:09:49
According to the preliminary mayor managed report, and enforcement inspections fell 4.3% even as development inspections completed roles by 9.5%.
0:09:58
There will be also issued fewer violations on average wait time for construction and plumbing inspections, increased as a result of ongoing budget constraints and staffing shortages.
0:10:06
Finally, I wanna highlight trend in all five boroughs, five's and crippling infrastructure.
0:10:10
The Bronx in particular has experienced many tragedies due to landlord abandonment and neglect, and it's no surprise that these fires are taking place in communities of more color.
0:10:19
There's also been an increase in lithium ion battery fires around throughout the city 2022, these batteries cost 220 fires and 6 deaths.
0:10:27
And in 2023, they cost 243 fires and 17 deaths and a 124 injuries.
0:10:33
The most recent lithium ion battery fired that took place last month in Harlem caused the death of Fossil Khan.
0:10:38
A young journalist was truly a tragic incident that could have been prevented.
0:10:43
It's critical that we maintain the ample funding that provides these vital services to residents that survive the fire.
0:10:49
Additionally, we need more inspectors in both HPD and DOB who can identify violations that can potentially cause collapses and fires and further address emergency complaints.
0:10:58
It just shows how the type of customer we've heard about before really impact people's lives.
0:11:02
I hope during today's hearing, the administration will provide more information on the issues I highlighted in my statement.
0:11:08
Cannot have unsafe and weakening infrastructure that puts New York as a risk every day.
0:11:12
I also like to know if the administration plans are in the hiring freeze and meet the goal of fully staffed HPD and DLB.
0:11:19
We do know for any housing plan to be successful.
0:11:23
Preservation has to be a large part of it, and that means maybe we're taking care of the infrastructure.
0:11:27
Thank you so much.
0:11:28
Appreciate it.