PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Elizabeth Denys on Arrow Linen Rezoning
4:43:32
ยท
117 sec
Elizabeth Denys, a resident living near Windsor Terrace and Flatbush, speaks in favor of the Arrow Linen rezoning project. She emphasizes the need for more housing, especially affordable homes, in the area to maintain the neighborhood's character and accessibility for families of all economic levels.
- The project would bring 244 new homes, including affordable units, to a currently commercial lot near transit.
- Denys highlights the area's high median income and low risk of displacement, making it suitable for market cross-subsidization through MIH.
- She argues that building homes in wealthier areas like South Slope and Windsor Terrace can help reduce displacement pressure on adjacent, more vulnerable neighborhoods.
Elizabeth Denys
4:43:32
Hello.
4:43:32
My name is Elizabeth Dennies.
4:43:34
I've literally I've lived literally on just the other side of the boundary of community district 7, block away from Windsor Terrace and Flatbush for 10 years.
4:43:41
I'm here to speak in favor of the Arrow Linen rezoning today.
4:43:44
South Slope and Windsor Terrace are wonderful, vibrant communities, but, unfortunately, there has been a net loss of housing in the area and almost no new affordable homes built.
4:43:52
The area is becoming much less accessible to families and people at all economic levels, threatening the character of the neighborhood the people.
4:43:58
We need housing of all kinds, and we need more homes in every neighborhood.
4:44:02
We especially need them in areas with great transit access like this project under a quarter of a mile from the subway.
4:44:08
Windsor Terrace in South Slope has a median income 75% above the New York Citywide median income.
4:44:13
31.2% of residents in the area make over $200,000 a year, and only 27.4% in the area make less than or equal to the citywide median income.
4:44:23
This is well matched using mark market cross subsidization for creating income restricted homes through MIH in an area where the city's equitable explorer notes that there's the lowest risk of displacement.
4:44:33
While new homes aren't built in areas like South Slope and Windsor Terrace, wealthier areas, it doesn't only make it harder for families to stay in their neighborhood there.
4:44:40
It directly increases the pressure of the housing crisis on adjacent neighborhoods like mine in Flatbush and Kensington where tenants are even more vulnerable.
4:44:48
The Equitable Developer Explorer notes these adjacent neighborhoods have the highest risk of displacement.
4:44:53
I've been a strong supporter of building more badly needed homes in my own neighborhood of Flatbush, but it's not going to be enough unless every neighborhood is doing their part to fight the housing crisis.
4:45:01
The Arrow Linden rezoning as proposed would bring 244 new homes of all sizes and prices to be built on what is currently a commercial lot with a surface parking area as long as this rezoning is is approved.
4:45:13
I urge you to say no to continuing the cycle of displacement, no to threatening the vibrant nature of this wonderful community, and to say yes to more housing, to say yes to the 244 new families who could live in this wonderful mixed income community, and to vote yes on this rezoning proposal.
4:45:27
Thank you so much.