PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director of Fifth Avenue Committee, on Affordable Housing Need in Windsor Terrace
5:11:11
ยท
124 sec
Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director of Fifth Avenue Committee, testified about the urgent need for affordable housing in Windsor Terrace and Community Board 7. She highlighted the high demand for affordable housing projects and expressed support for efforts to increase affordability in the proposed development.
- Over 5,000 people from Community Board 7 applied for two recent 100% affordable projects in Sunset Park
- Fifth Avenue Committee has experience with community benefits agreements to ensure developers follow through on commitments
- De la Uz emphasized the possibility of addressing community concerns while moving forward with affordable housing development
Michelle de la Uz
5:11:11
Hi.
5:11:11
How are you?
5:11:12
Thank you, chair and, council member Hanif.
5:11:16
I'm Michelle Delause.
5:11:17
I'm the executive director of the Fifth Avenue Committee.
5:11:20
Fifth Avenue Committee is a 46 year old nonprofit comprehensive community development corporation, based a few blocks from this site that has been serving, the local community boards, for 46 years.
5:11:33
I'm here, to, I think, provide a little bit more color, in terms of the background related to affordable housing and men everyone has come together, I think, in saying that we we need affordable housing.
5:11:47
And, you know, whether it's the proponents or the opponents, everyone has said that.
5:11:52
I'll just say that as the local nonprofit community development corporation that has recently completed 2 100% affordable projects and community board 7, in the last few years.
5:12:04
The the demand from local residents in community board 7 for affordable housing is is incredible.
5:12:10
More than 5,000 people applied, from community board 7 to our 2 100% affordable projects, that we built in Sunset Park.
5:12:21
It you know, Windsor Terrace is absolutely in need of affordable housing.
5:12:26
I know that, the council member is working very, very hard, to make the project more affordable, and to increase the total number of affordable units and work on a number of the concerns that have been expressed by the community.
5:12:42
And I'll just say that, you know, Fifth Avenue Committee has entered into community benefits agreements with a number of developers, in the community to address concerns, and also to ensure that the projects, live up, that the developers, live up to the commitments that they make as part of the projects.
5:13:01
Because I know that a number of folks have expressed concerns, about, you know, those and any commitments, being lived up to.
5:13:08
And I I can assure you that it is possible to do that.
UNKNOWN
5:13:12
Thank you.
5:13:13
Your time's expired.
Michelle de la Uz
5:13:14
Thank you.