TESTIMONY
Testimony by Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director of 5th Avenue Committee, on Affordable Housing in the 341 10th Street Development
1:34:24
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118 sec
Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director of 5th Avenue Committee, testifies in support of a proposed affordable housing development. She explains the organization's mission and their involvement in land use actions, emphasizing the unique aspects of the project that make it beneficial despite potential concerns.
- 5th Avenue Committee has been working for 46 years to advance economic, social, and racial justice
- The project will preserve existing affordable housing and add 100 units of deeply and permanently affordable housing
- The site's uniqueness, including MTA involvement, justifies the workforce housing option
Michelle de la Uz
1:34:24
Just doesn't wanna move high.
1:34:26
Michelle Lau's executive director of the 5th Avenue Committee.
1:34:29
And folks, I know many people know the 5th Avenue Committee, but we've been around for 46 years in our mission is to advance economic, social, and racial justice.
1:34:38
One of the ways that we do that is to build and manage affordable housing and organize folks, and we've been involved in a number of land use actions.
1:34:44
Helping to negotiate community benefits agreement.
1:34:48
I just wanted to update the committee and, of course, thank the chair and and council member of the committee about where things stand with the community benefits agreement discussion because that's something that's been referenced in in every step of the process so far in New York.
1:35:05
And I just wanna say that there's good faith on both sides, both among the Tennis Association.
1:35:11
Leadership and among stellar many of the things that were, you know, mentioned in the stellar presentation.
1:35:18
I think that certainly this applicant team is committed to addressing a number of concerns of the existing tenants, and I know many people are here today to share their own experiences.
1:35:32
I think this is an unprecedented opportunity to preserve existing affordable housing.
1:35:37
And the fact that we're gonna be re regulating 38 units, which are currently market rate in the existing building in addition to building a 100% affordable housing in Park Slope.
1:35:49
Is very, very significant.
1:35:51
I know that the council member and in general, the council have some concerns about mapping the workforce option.
1:35:56
I too honestly would have concerns about that if it were that building alone.
1:36:01
I think the reason why I personally have become more comfortable with it is the fact that we're preserving existing affordable housing, adding another 100 units of deeply and permanently affordable housing, And this is a very difficult and unique site because of the MTA.
1:36:17
So I think it's really because of the uniqueness, and then I'll be happy to answer any questions that anybody has.