PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Catherine Trapani, Assistant Vice President for Public Policy at Volunteers of America-Greater New York
4:16:59
·
133 sec
Catherine Trapani, representing Volunteers of America-Greater New York, expressed strong support for the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal. She emphasized the critical need for more housing to address homelessness and affordability issues in New York City.
- Highlighted a specific project that could create 700 units (60% for homeless New Yorkers) but might be limited to 300 units without zoning changes
- Advocated for waiving parking requirements in new developments to reduce construction costs and rental prices
- Urged for additional city investments in extremely low-income and supportive housing production, as well as full funding for relevant city agencies
Catherine Trapani
4:16:59
Good afternoon.
4:17:00
My name is Catherine Trappini, and I'm the assistant vice president for public policy at volunteers of America Greater New York.
4:17:07
Our mission is to end homelessness.
4:17:09
We cannot do that if we can't build more housing.
4:17:11
We are proud to support the city of Yas for housing opportunity because we agree that if every neighborhood did its part and allowed for a little more housing in every neighborhood, the city would be much better positioned to address the shortage of affordable homes that exist today.
4:17:24
While it's true that a zoning plan isn't a comprehensive housing plan without necessary zoning changes, building more affordable housing will be exceedingly difficult.
4:17:32
Right now, we have a project in our pipeline that could produce over 700 units in the next few years.
4:17:38
This project envisions at least 60% of the units being set aside for homeless New Yorkers with the balance being affordable to those earning less than 60% of the AMI.
4:17:47
If the ability to build to the height of existing adjacent structures are not implemented, those homes might not get built.
4:17:54
In fact, the as of right development options for that parcel would only allow us to create around 300 homes in total.
4:18:00
That's 400 fewer units overall with a loss of 240 that would have been guaranteed to go to homeless households.
4:18:08
We must always make choices about priorities, but maintaining height restrictions even when the height proposed is contextual as it is with this project over providing homes when we have the largest homeless population in New York City history just isn't right.
4:18:20
I also want to add our full support for waiving parking requirements for new developments.
4:18:25
Adding costly parking for a project in the city is rich in transit in New York defines logic.
4:18:30
Parking increases the per unit cost to build, which is typically passed on to tenants in the form of higher rents.
4:18:35
The city should be doing everything in its power to slow the growth of rental prices in New York City to make the city more affordable for everyone.
4:18:43
While zoning is important, it is equally critical for the city to invest in the programs and agencies that are housing people experiencing homelessness so that once implemented, the city of yes will address the housing crisis for those who are most acutely feeling its impact.
4:18:56
Investments in more city capital funds for extremely low income and supportive housing production are necessary.
4:19:01
Additionally, city agencies must be able to effectively manage a robust pipe line of affordable housing.
4:19:07
We also urge full funding for city agencies and the implementation of the city theft program.
4:19:12
Thank you.
Kevin C. Riley
4:19:12
Thank you.
