PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jorge Romero on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity
8:42:39
·
120 sec
Jorge Romero, a member of the public, testified in support of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal. He emphasized the need for allowing New York City to grow and adapt, arguing that current zoning laws are too restrictive and hinder the city's development.
- Romero highlighted that many cherished buildings in Manhattan would be illegal under current zoning laws.
- He argued that while City of Yes is not a complete solution for infrastructure or affordability issues, it is a step in the right direction for modest housing growth.
- Romero pointed out the imbalance between job growth (1,200,000 new jobs) and housing growth (400,000 new houses) in the last decade, leading to issues like illegal basement apartments and increased use of shelter systems.
Jorge Romero
8:42:39
Hi.
8:42:39
How's it going?
8:42:40
I'm on this panel, so obviously, I support City of Yes.
8:42:46
I'm not getting paid as I people got accused earlier.
8:42:51
I gave up a day of work.
8:42:52
I gave a day to be next to my daughter, my newborn daughter, to be here today, to speak up for the city of yes.
8:43:00
And I think everybody in this that we that's built so far on both sides are here because they care a lot about this great city.
8:43:09
I I don't question that.
8:43:11
The reason I'm here today is because I think some of us are loving the city so much that we're stumping its growth.
8:43:16
We're not letting the city flourish like it used to as many of the buildings we so cherish would be legal today.
8:43:22
With the current zoning laws.
8:43:24
I think the New York Times said 40% of the buildings in Manhattan would be illegal today.
8:43:32
City of a yes can start to change this.
8:43:35
It is not a solution for infrastructure.
8:43:38
You, some of you and your colleagues, can solve infrastructure if you make that a priority.
8:43:44
It is not a solution for affordability.
8:43:47
You and your colleagues as well can put emphasis into subsidizing that or funding that.
8:43:56
But this is a small step in the right direction that will you know, in 10, 15 years lead a modest growth of housing.
8:44:06
I'm a new parent and just how I know I need to let my daughter grow on her own.
8:44:11
I think we should let New York grow.
8:44:13
In some areas, there has been growth, 1,200,000 jobs in the last decade, but only 400,000 houses.
8:44:22
Instead, we have pushed people into legal basement apartments, pushed people into shelter systems, made people leave and made adults and families roommates in the city.
8:44:32
We can change this and I ask you guys to put emphasis into approving the city of yes.
