Q&A
Monitor's current approach to vacant NYCHA apartments
0:56:17
·
79 sec
Council Member Brewer revisits the issue of vacant apartments, asking about the monitor's current actions. Neil Barofsky admits that vacant apartments are not currently a focus area for the monitors.
- Barofsky states that the monitors are not currently addressing vacant apartments
- He commits to taking a closer look at how vacant apartments impact their work
- Brewer emphasizes that vacant apartments often have mold and pest issues
- The discussion highlights the potential connection between vacant apartments and the monitor's areas of concern
Gale A. Brewer
0:56:17
The baking apartments, which also produce some of your challenges.
0:56:20
What are you doing about them?
Neil Barofsky
0:56:22
Currently, we're not doing anything about them, but we will, you know, again, this is an issue that we will take a a close look to see how it impacts our work.
0:56:31
Whether or not there is a jurisdictional hook for us there.
Gale A. Brewer
0:56:34
Okay.
0:56:34
The only reason I think is I assume they have mold in some cases.
0:56:37
I know they do.
0:56:38
In fact, and they definitely have pests.
0:56:42
Because when you leave an apartment vacant for, I don't know, 5 years, let's say, you know who's gonna move in.
Neil Barofsky
0:56:48
Yeah.
0:56:49
Yeah.
0:56:49
It is not yet in an area of our focus, but we thank you for bringing it to our
Gale A. Brewer
0:56:52
attention.
0:56:52
Perfect.
0:56:52
And then I guess, Stretch is families who move in who don't have enough support.
0:56:57
Well, that means that means social service.
0:56:59
That's not your area.
0:57:00
I got it.
0:57:01
I know, but the other issue that you mentioned about just people knowing what to do, that is part of your problem.
0:57:07
So it's something to think about to put on a side list because it's not happening now.
0:57:13
And I'm a big supporter of Nitro staff, you know, I think Brian Holman walks on water and also the re resident leaders, but it's it's tough.
0:57:22
And so you have a hard job.
0:57:24
I appreciate being here, but I hope you look a little bit bigger than or larger than some of the topics because they all impact.
0:57:31
Thank you.
Neil Barofsky
0:57:32
Thank you so much.
Chris Banks
0:57:34
Just to follow-up vacancies.
