REMARKS
Rita Joseph explains her vote in favor of the City for All housing plan
1:32:54
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129 sec
Council Member Rita Joseph expresses her support for the City for All housing plan, highlighting its $5 billion commitment from the city and $1 billion from the state. She emphasizes the plan's potential to create 80,000 new homes, improve affordability, and strengthen neighborhood infrastructure.
- Joseph acknowledges community concerns about zoning changes and commits to balancing growth with neighborhood character preservation.
- She emphasizes the need for ongoing attention to housing issues, including affordability, tenant protection, and homeownership opportunities.
- The council member calls for recognizing housing as a fundamental right and using all available tools to address the housing crisis.
Rita Joseph
1:32:54
Thank you, majority leader.
1:32:56
Today I cast my vote in favor of moving forward with the City Fall housing plan, transformative step in addressing one of the most pressing crisis with our city faces, housing.
1:33:05
With 5,000,000,000 in commitment from the city alongside 1,000,000,000 funding from governor Hochul and the state of New York, we are delivering on an unprecedented investment to ensure New York City becomes more affordable and accessible for all who call it home.
1:33:19
This plan is not just about constructing new buildings.
1:33:21
It's about constructing a better future for working and middle class New Yorkers.
1:33:25
City for All will produce over 80 new 80,000 new homes while deepening affordability, preserving existing housing, bolstering home ownership, and strengthening our neighborhood's infrastructure.
1:33:36
But more than that, city of all is a testament to what we can achieve when we center our peep people and our policies and prioritize equity and sustainability in our growth.
1:33:45
I've heard loud and clear loud and clear the voices of those in my community who are concerned about the impact of these zoning changes will have on their neighborhoods.
1:33:53
I remain committed to working with you to deliver on the promises.
1:33:57
A little more housing everywhere while defending the character of places where I grew up and where so many of us have invested so much.
1:34:04
As someone deeply committed to the well-being of our communities and to my own district, I'm especially encouraged by the investment this plan makes to support tenants, protect homeowners, and improve NYCHA developments, preserve the character of our neighborhoods, and more.
1:34:18
These actions are not only essential to addressing immediate needs, but also laying the groundwork for long term stability.
1:34:24
The housing crisis we face is vast and complex.
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It it demands ongoing attention, innovation, and collaboration.
1:34:31
We must continue to push for policies that go beyond zoning reform and address the root causes of inequity in housing.
1:34:38
This means doubling down on affordability, protecting tenants from harassment and displacement, and expanding pathways to homeownership.
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It means ensuring every community has the infrastructure, parks, schools, and transit system needed to grow sustainably.
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It means recognizing housing as a fundamental right and using every tool at our disposal to deliver on that promise.
1:35:01
I thank all who worked on this.
1:35:02
Thank you, majority leader.