PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Eddie Siegel, Member of Manhattan Community Board 2
11:31:10
·
97 sec
Eddie Siegel, a member of Manhattan Community Board 2 speaking in his personal capacity, expressed strong support for the City of Yes proposal. He emphasized the housing crisis and the need for increased housing affordability in New York City.
- Highlighted that many New Yorkers couldn't attend the hearing due to work or family commitments
- Cited polling data showing overwhelming public support for building more housing
- Mentioned that housing affordability has become a major political issue, even in presidential campaigns
- Argued that City of Yes would help build much-needed housing units in New York City
Eddie Siegel
11:31:10
Hi.
11:31:11
My name is Eddie Siegel.
11:31:12
I live in Lolita in a rent stabilized apartment.
11:31:15
I'm a member of Manhattan Community Board 2, speaking in my personal capacity and not on behalf of the board.
11:31:21
And I'm in strong support of city of yes.
11:31:24
I thank you all especially city hall staff for your patience and stamina today.
11:31:28
I personally just got off work an hour ago and have listened to almost none of this hearing because I was at work.
11:31:34
I want you to think about the millions of New Yorkers who have no idea that this hearing is happening or they wanted to come, but they're parents with young kids.
11:31:43
They're working a normal job like me, and they're not able to, you know, chime in on this stuff.
11:31:50
But those people have different ways of telling you what they want.
11:31:55
The day job I came from was as a political pollster.
11:31:59
We've had a lot of polling on city of yes and has continually shown overwhelming support.
11:32:04
When we pull issue pulling nationally on housing abundance, people are clearly in strong support of building more housing.
11:32:15
For the first time in my life, housing is a major piece of a presidential campaign.
11:32:19
Because we are in a housing crisis and people are desperate for housing affordability.
11:32:25
Vice President Harris is making building 3,000,000 new homes, a centerpiece of a presidential campaign because the evidence is overwhelming that it is a both an effective strategy and it is what voters want.
11:32:38
City of yes will help us build some of those units in the greatest city in the world where 98% of our housing is full.
11:32:46
I hope you support it.
11:32:47
Thank you.
