PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Daniel Mayo on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal
4:04:39
·
131 sec
Daniel Mayo testified against the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal, arguing that it would not solve the housing crisis or affordability issues in New York City. He questioned the effectiveness of zoning changes and proposed alternative solutions.
- Mayo emphasized that the proposal would not immediately address affordability concerns, stating it could take up to 15 years to see results.
- He pointed out that over 800,000 people have left the city and suggested allowing public housing tenants to sublease their apartments as a potential solution.
- Mayo criticized the current affordable housing options, citing an example of a "low-income" apartment with a minimum rent of $31,100, which he deemed unaffordable.
Daniel Mayo
4:04:39
Good afternoon.
4:04:40
First of all, I want to thank councilman Holden for his steadfast position.
4:04:44
Please listen to him.
4:04:45
He's a man that speaks a lot of wise words.
4:04:47
Now severe housing crisis, which is basically the reason why this proposal is before you.
4:04:55
Will this severe housing crisis be solved by this proposal?
4:04:59
A lot of you acknowledge you've only put a dent.
4:05:02
You were not solved.
4:05:03
Agreed.
4:05:04
How about affordability?
4:05:06
In fact, we believe everyone's talking about affordability, but we all know it won't solve affordability 15 years.
4:05:12
How can the for people wants affordability now, not 15 years.
4:05:17
Now, when I first is zoning the problem.
4:05:22
Well, when I moved to New York in the eighties, my one bedroom apartment in Lawrence City was $450.
4:05:29
In the nineties, I moved to West Village Manhattan, and my first lease was $980, but the zoning hasn't changed.
4:05:39
Zoning is not the problem.
4:05:41
Now, there's 2 facts here.
4:05:43
I'm sure all of you aware.
4:05:44
Over 800,000 people have basically moved out of the city.
4:05:47
If a census were done now, we will lose one congressional seat.
4:05:53
And also, if you read the notice of apartment's availabilities for those who are on low income of available apartments.
4:06:00
I just opened up one for a long line in the city.
4:06:03
One bedroom, you the minimum rent is $31100.
4:06:07
That's not affordable.
4:06:09
And that's an affordable department that the developers made available.
4:06:14
Now I have solutions.
4:06:16
At least that's I'm gonna do something different from what everyone's done.
4:06:20
What I recommend is For those people who are on who have put in public housing and they're overwhelmingly into them, allowed their apartment to be subleased, currently, that is not allowed.
4:06:33
And almost half of those people who are paying their rent are delinquent.
4:06:39
This would help them.
Kevin C. Riley
4:06:41
Thank you, Mister Dale.
4:06:42
I would love to hear your suggestions, so please give it to a sergeant when you're done.
4:06:46
We really, really appreciate it.
4:06:47
Thank you so much.
Daniel Mayo
4:06:47
No problem.
4:06:48
I'll also email you a copy and even copy.
