REMARKS
Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa advocates for housing plan and addresses community concerns
1:03:03
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152 sec
Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa expresses support for the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning amendment and accompanying $5 billion housing investment plan. She emphasizes the critical need for housing in her district and citywide, while addressing concerns about affordability and displacement.
- Highlights that housing is the top issue in her district, with 90% of constituent cases related to housing
- Acknowledges the trauma of the previous Inwood rezoning and assures that protections from that process will remain in place
- Stresses that while the plan isn't perfect, it's a necessary step to address the housing crisis and fight displacement
Carmen N. De La Rosa
1:03:03
Thank you so much.
1:03:04
I would like to thank speaker Adams, my colleagues, chair Salamanca, chair Riley, council member Sanchez, and, of course, the land use staff, and all of the staff for engaging in days of public testimony and negotiating a package that looks to address the needs of everyday New Yorkers who desperately deserve the opportunity for dignified housing.
1:03:22
The revisions put forth by the council shape a more inclusive plan while accompanying the proposal with financial support to preserve existing affordable housing.
1:03:31
Housing is the number one need in district 10, the community that I represent, with over 90% of our constituent cases that come into our office concerning housing in some capacity or another.
1:03:42
We are witnessing the stark reality that 1 in 8 public school students are unhoused or lack permanent housing options.
1:03:51
We have a choice today, a choice to make a difference.
1:03:55
Every day, we work to support families displaced by fires, struggling to find home a home in a time of crisis, homeless students lacking safe after school accommodations, and family cramped into apartments on the verge of losing their own homes.
1:04:10
We we repeatedly in district 10 have arrested the worst landlord on the worst landlord list, who has made it impossible for tenants to live in the buildings he owns through sheer neglect.
1:04:24
We take this housing crisis seriously.
1:04:27
The work doesn't stop today.
1:04:29
It merely begins.
1:04:30
In district 10, we all remember the Inwood rezoning.
1:04:33
After a traumatic process, there were hard fought concessions that were put in place to protect parts of Inwood's current zoning.
1:04:41
Those protections will remain in place under this city for all proposal.
1:04:47
While I have heard the concerns about the depth of affordability, metrics like the universal affordability preferences and area median incomes will not always match our community's financial realities, but we are fighting to stop displacement caused by predatory market forces.
1:05:05
This means this means that the challenges are met by the $5,000,000,000 to secure tenant protections, legal legal support to fight harassment.
Amanda FarÃas
1:05:15
Remember your time has expired?
Carmen N. De La Rosa
1:05:16
Preservation and vouchers across the district.
1:05:20
No single policy will solve the complex housing issues and the deep systematic barriers that exist, but we must act.
1:05:27
And today, I look forward to joining this council in acting so that we can make a reality, the city for all.
1:05:34
Thank you.
