PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Stanley Wong, Staff Attorney from Legal Services NYC on Proposed Housing Bills
2:38:44
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125 sec
Stanley Wong, a housing staff attorney from Legal Services NYC, provided testimony supporting several proposed bills aimed at curbing illegal evictions and protecting tenants' rights. He offered insights on potential improvements and concerns regarding some aspects of the legislation.
- Supported Intro 623 but suggested reconsidering the 5-year ban on city benefits for landlords
- Endorsed Intro 622 for eliminating the futility doctrine and ensuring due process
- Backed Intro 621 for enhancing the Certificate of No Harassment program
- Supported Intro 1037 for disseminating information on tenants' rights
- Endorsed Resolution 119 for reinforcing justice in courts
Stanley Wong
2:38:44
Thank you.
2:38:45
Good afternoon.
2:38:45
Thank you to this committee for holding this hearing and the opportunity to comment.
2:38:49
My name is Stanley Wong.
2:38:50
I'm a staff a housing staff attorney in the Manhattan Unit of Legal Services NYC, the largest provider of civil legal services in the country.
2:38:59
We support the bills today that seek to restrain illegal evictions as sensible proposals that will provide much needed stability to working class and lower income families and protect due process for all New Yorkers.
2:39:11
We believe intro 623 is an important step to disincentivize unlawful eviction unlawful evictions.
2:39:18
However, we encourage the committee to rethink its 5 year ban on participation in city tax credits, abatements, or subsidies, which would likely have unintended negative consequences for the tenants the bill is meant to protect.
2:39:29
We urge the council to continue engaging with community stakeholders to explore the options in addition to monetary penalties.
2:39:37
Similarly, we believe interest for 620 622 provides much needed safeguards to curbing illegal self help evictions by eliminating the futility doctrine, a legal principle that denies lawful occupants and their families their right to return to their homes.
2:39:51
This bill would ensure property owners and courts respect due process as well as provide stability for the number of rent burden families in New York City who are unable to find alternative affordable housing in a short period of time.
2:40:03
Going to intro 621, the bill would enhance the efficacy of the certificate of no harassment program and give proper attention to future development as we continue to protect current affordable housing stock.
2:40:15
We support intro 10 30 seven's proposal to to provide for the dissemination of crucial information regarding occupants' potential rights, which would both protect individuals and bolster rent stabilization laws.
2:40:28
And finally, resolution 9 the 119 would reinforce justice and fundamental fairness in our courts while protecting families who often are on the other side of the stark power imbalance when seeking to have their rights vindicated.
2:40:42
I thank you to the council, city council for its attention in these critical issues that impact 100 of thousands of New Yorkers.
