PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ahyoung Kim, Director of Economic Empowerment at Asian American Federation
2:34:40
ยท
3 min
Ahyoung Kim testifies on behalf of the Asian American Federation, focusing on the proposed commercial landlord watch list (Intro 449) and its potential impact on immigrant small business owners. She emphasizes the vulnerability of these business owners to predatory leasing practices and commercial tenant harassment, while also acknowledging the positive aspects of Intro 1132.
- Kim highlights the lack of awareness among immigrant business owners about their rights as commercial tenants and their reluctance to pursue legal action against landlords.
- She recommends expanding outreach efforts, establishing an anonymous reporting mechanism for commercial tenant harassment, and increasing transparency in the landlord watch list.
- The testimony underscores the need for accessibility measures to ensure that immigrant business owners can benefit from the proposed legislation.
Ahyoung Kim
2:34:40
Thank you, Chair.
2:34:42
Happy New Year.
Oswald Feliz
2:34:43
Likewise.
Ahyoung Kim
2:34:46
Thank you for this opportunity to testify on the proposed commercial landlord watch list.
2:34:50
My name is Ahyoung Kim, and I serve as the director of economic empowerment at the Asian American Federation.
2:34:56
Before I talk about introduction 449, however, I'd like to also thank the council for introduction 1132, which we believe will bring transparency and fairness in enforcement of city regulations.
2:35:08
As for introduction 449, we believe this legislation will be an important first step in protecting our small businesses.
2:35:15
Brick and mortar store owners cite rising rent and conflicts with their landlords as some of the most pressing challenges they face.
2:35:22
This measure has the potential to provide much needed transparency and accountability, and we anticipate that it will have a positive impact in keeping business owners informed of their rights and protections.
2:35:33
For decades, immi immigrant small business owners have played a crucial role in shaping the economy and cultural vibrancy of New York City.
2:35:41
Yet, despite their contributions, most of them do not know that they have rights as commercial tenants.
2:35:47
They enter lease agreements with little to no legal guidance, and they trust landlords to act in good faith.
2:35:53
This lack of awareness leaves them particularly vulnerable to predatory leasing practices and commercial tenant harassment.
2:36:00
But more more importantly, chair, even when business owners are aware of their rights, they rarely pursue legal action against their landlords, and hence, the data you heard from, commissioner Gross.
2:36:11
Many fear retribution, including the possibility of losing their lease or facing rent hikes, but even those who have, exited their lease also do not, pursue legal action because they don't understand what are the rights that they have and how the city can protect them.
2:36:25
They also are overly burdened by administrative burden and legal action costs, so we simply don't see enough people going into legal action.
2:36:34
We believe the proposed commercial landlord watch list, while an important step forward, it needs to be paired with meaningful outreach and accessibility measures.
2:36:42
Simply listing the names of bad actor landlords on the city website is not going to guarantee that the information reach those who need it most.
2:36:49
Many import immigrant business owners lack the English proficiency, digital literacy, or digital access to city resources necessary, and they will not be able to access this information that is going to give them protection.
2:37:02
If I may take 30 seconds, chair, I want to give 3 recommendations to city council to consider.
2:37:09
First of all, to support local small business organizations to conduct meaningful outreach about what are the tenants' rights that they, business owners, should be protected of, and second, to establish an anonymous reporting mechanism for commercial tenant harassment, so that many business owners who hesitate to come forward or pursue legal action still have an avenue to make sure that the city hears of the unfair treatment that they are facing.
2:37:31
And thirdly, please consider, expanding transparency by including a full list of affected commercial properties, as opposed to the current, intro says, only the commercial property that has been dealt, that has been flagged in the system will be listed by the landlords.
2:37:47
We believe the if and that landlord has multiple properties, like, people who are looking into enter a lease with the same land landlord should be able to, look up the address and then be aware that this is, somebody on the watch list.
2:38:00
Thank you.