Q&A
Future legislative requests and rent collection goals
1:15:14
·
93 sec
Council Member Chris Banks inquires about future legislative requests to address rent arrears and NYCHA's rent collection goals. NYCHA's Chief Financial Officer, Annika Lescott-Martinez, responds:
- NYCHA continues to advocate for additional funding at city, state, and federal levels
- The intergovernmental team will be in Albany and DC advocating for NYCHA's needs
- NYCHA is required to collect 100% of the rent charged, which is always the goal
- The immediate aim is to return to pre-pandemic collection rates of about 90%
- NYCHA was last at 90% rent collection in 2019
Chris Banks
1:15:14
Okay.
1:15:14
And I guess we'll have a clear view as a committee once we get those numbers as to how many folks are coming for plans and a little a little more extensive explanation on how residents are being educated about what is available to the system.
1:15:34
I think that would no longer worry.
1:15:36
Way would help them to close the gap.
1:15:39
What is the plan for any future legislative ask either from the federal state or city government to address right of risk.
Annika Lescott-Martinez
1:15:50
So we continue to advocate.
1:15:53
We are not shy about telling our city, state, and federal partners about the arrears crisis.
1:16:00
We continue to request additional funding for our operating needs and for our capital needs.
1:16:05
Our intergovernmental team, I'm sure, will be up in Albany and in DC continuing to advocate for.
1:16:11
Us.
Chris Banks
1:16:11
Okay.
1:16:12
And what is the aim for rent collection in the next year?
1:16:15
And how does that how are you to plan?
1:16:17
How do you plan to reach that?
Annika Lescott-Martinez
1:16:18
So we are required to collect 100% of the rent that we charge.
1:16:22
So that is always our goal.
1:16:25
We certainly fell short of that goal even in the pandemic.
1:16:29
So we would like to see the rent collection number continue to increase.
1:16:33
I think our primary goal is to get it back to where we were before.
1:16:36
So about 90%, but the ultimate goal and our and our charge is to collect a 100% of the rent.
Chris Banks
1:16:43
How long ago were you at 90% of
Annika Lescott-Martinez
1:16:46
In 2019.
