Q&A
Clarification on city's relationship with developers and not-for-profit providers
2:08:39
·
123 sec
Council Member Susan Zhuang seeks clarification on the city's relationship with the Sandhu Group and the vetting process for developers. Commissioner Molly Wasow Park reiterates that the Department of Social Services (DSS) contracts directly with not-for-profit providers rather than developers or landlords.
- Park explains that DSS is not familiar with specific developers like the Sandhu Group
- Zhuang raises concerns about the Sandhu Group's past legal issues
- Park emphasizes that DSS does not conduct responsibility determinations on landlords due to the indirect relationship
Susan Zhuang
2:08:39
Okay.
2:08:40
Do you guys know the Sandhu Group who is building all the homeless shelters?
Molly Wasow Park
2:08:46
I'm not familiar with that particular organization.
2:08:49
As I say, we contract not with landlords and or or developers, but directly with the the not for profit shelter provider.
2:08:58
There are a host of different real estate entities that have developed shelter over the years.
2:09:03
I think one of the things that we have seen is real diversification in that space.
2:09:10
I think seeing, more entities come into that area, I think that is is good for some of the, deconcentration and making sure that that we are not enthralled to any particular landlord.
2:09:23
But, again, our our, our relationship is with not for profit shelter providers.
Gale A. Brewer
2:09:28
Council member, you can you go on the 2nd round, or do you wanna keep going?
2:09:31
Or
Susan Zhuang
2:09:32
I have I have more questions.
Diana I. Ayala
2:09:33
One more.
2:09:34
Okay.
2:09:34
Okay.
Susan Zhuang
2:09:37
I I actually have a lot of questions.
2:09:39
My community has been, asked the question why the Sandhu Group, in 2017 had charged connection to the scheme, by the other report they gave to me.
2:09:52
It's the City of New York investigation was, the Sandhu family was charged with bribery, the 3rd degree, and the class d felony.
2:10:03
Why the city is still working with such developer?
Molly Wasow Park
2:10:08
So I'd be happy to follow-up offline.
2:10:09
I I don't have the answer not for profit organization.
UNKNOWN
2:10:16
Our
Susan Zhuang
2:10:16
So you guys don't vet the system?
Molly Wasow Park
2:10:19
We do not do a responsibility determination or other formal process for landlords because our contract is with the not for profit organization.
2:10:27
We absolutely inspect every single property that we are in, but we are not doing a portfolio wide assessment of the of the developer because we don't have a contractual relationship with them.
Diana I. Ayala
2:10:38
Okay.
2:10:38
Thank you.
Gale A. Brewer
2:10:39
Thank you very much, council member Ressler and council member Wan.
2:10:41
Council member Ressler.
