REMARKS
Deputy Speaker Diana I. Ayala's remarks on approving the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan
0:50:02
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3 min
Deputy Speaker Diana I. Ayala expresses her support for the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan, emphasizing the importance of housing for safety and stability in New York City. She highlights the $5 billion commitment secured by the council for the City for All Housing Plan and outlines specific investments in public housing, affordable housing, and infrastructure improvements.
- Ayala shares her personal experience with homelessness and housing insecurity
- The plan includes $2 billion for NYCHA repairs and making vacant public apartments available
- $400 million is allocated for CityFabs vouchers, including for converting homeless shelters to affordable housing
Diana I. Ayala
0:50:02
Good afternoon, everyone.
0:50:03
I just wanted to say a few words, about my vote to approve the city of yes for housing opportunity.
0:50:09
Housing is a fundamental pillar of safety and stability for our city and its neighborhoods.
0:50:13
It unlocks the ability for people to pursue opportunity, something that I know personally from my own experiences of homelessness and housing insecurity.
0:50:21
This plan was the result of listening to the needs of everyday New Yorkers who are facing growing housing and economic pressures.
0:50:28
We heard from working families and residents who are struggling to find a home, to afford rent, or cost to maintain their homes, and in some cases, to live with the dignified conditions that we all deserve.
0:50:41
As part of our negotiations, the council secured 5,000,000,000 in commitments for our city of all housing plan that will benefit our communities and entire city.
0:50:51
New Yorkers are relying on us to deliver this investment.
0:50:54
We cannot fail them.
0:50:55
As council members representing all corners of the this this diversity, we see, hear, and feel the impact of this housing crisis.
0:51:04
We know, whether it's from our constituents or even our own family members, how hard it is now for New Yorkers to make ends meet.
0:51:11
Too many of the 100 of thousands of residents living in NYCHA developments do not have their apartments maintained at the level of quality quality that they deserve to be safe.
0:51:21
Many New Yorkers are unhoused or in the brink of homelessness and need better access to city housing vouchers that can help them gain stability.
0:51:30
That is why the council pushed for a comprehensive housing plan to help alleviate many of the challenges that the zoning cannot address now.
0:51:38
Working alongside New Yorkers, we put forward a plan to deliver greater housing security, deeper affordability, and the neighborhood investments needed.
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I am especially proud that our city for all plan prioritizes funding to support our public housing residents.
0:51:53
We were able to secure 2,000,000,000 in additional capital investments that support repairs of NYCHA tenants apartments and makes the 5,000 vacant public apartments available to New Yorkers.
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The funding will also support increased affordable housing development and preservation of privately managed apartment buildings, including Mitchell Llamas and HDFCs.
Amanda Farías
0:52:12
Deputy speaker.
0:52:12
I am
Diana I. Ayala
0:52:13
also I'm so I'm gonna take a point of privilege as a deputy speaker to finish my remarks.
0:52:17
I am also excited
Amanda Farías
0:52:19
that we can come over 2nd round if you like, but please wrap them, deputy speaker.
0:52:23
We appreciate it.
Diana I. Ayala
0:52:24
I would ask again for a point of privilege, which I never request because I never give remarks.
0:52:31
But I'm also excited and I'm wrapping up.
0:52:33
I'm also excited that we will deliver the 400,000,000 in funding for CityFabs vouchers including for use in buildings converted from homeless shelters to permanently affordable housing.
0:52:41
We cannot forget the 2,000,000,000 infrastructure investments that we were able to secure which will go towards an unnecessary improvements for flood mitigation of our stormwater drainage and sewer systems, street upgrades, and open spaces.
0:52:53
All of these investments will have tangible lasting impact on our communities and New Yorkers, and we cannot afford to throw away this generational opportunity.
0:53:00
With the city of all housing plan, we are all investing in the people of our city.
0:53:04
Thank you.
