PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Hafina Allen, Social Worker from Windsor Terrace
4:28:02
ยท
120 sec
Hafina Allen, a social worker and long-time resident of Windsor Terrace, opposes the upzoning proposal for the Arrow Linen site. She argues that the project would lead to displacement and increased housing costs, offsetting the benefits of new affordable units.
- Expresses concern about the inclusion of 11 privately owned properties in the proposal, potentially displacing current renters
- Highlights environmental concerns, including increased wastewater and potential sewage backup issues
- Advocates for adaptive reuse of existing buildings as a more environmentally friendly approach
- Urges the council to listen to community members who want affordable housing without displacing current residents
Hafina Allen
4:28:02
Hi.
4:28:03
I'm Athena Allen.
4:28:04
I'm a social worker who's lived in Windsor Terrace since 1994.
4:28:09
As a social worker who spent most of my career working in homeless services, I'm well aware of the need for actually affordable housing in this city.
4:28:17
However, I oppose this upzoning.
4:28:20
The current proposal includes 11 privately owned properties that are not owned by Arrow Linen.
4:28:26
If this project is approved as is, the displacement of the families renting in those buildings will offset the benefit of the new built new affordable units in this development.
4:28:37
As we've seen in nearby Park Slope and other parts of Brooklyn such as Williamsburg, Such upzoning drives up overall cost of housing and over the long run leads to the displacement of working and middle class families.
4:28:52
Additionally, without added infrastructure, such such upzoning places environmental impact beyond the stormwater runoff issues that were addressed by the applicant.
4:29:03
The increase in wastewater in our sewer system poses potentially devastating sewage backup in the basements of surrounding areas.
4:29:11
This has been an issue in neighboring Park Slope and has received media coverage in recent years.
4:29:17
In regards to the applicant's statement regarding aging housing stock and the lack of new development, I wanna remind everybody that the most environmental develop the most environmental development is adaptive reuse of existing buildings.
4:29:32
Newer isn't always better.
4:29:35
To be clear, if you sorry.
4:29:40
To be clear, I want you to listen to those of us who live in this neighborhood.
4:29:45
As a community, we do want affordable housing, but we don't wanna see our neighbors displaced and priced out by this upzoning and the inclusion of luxury housing.
4:29:55
To be clear, if you approve this application, you're supporting profit of Arrow Linen, not affordable housing for our city.