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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dana Elden, President of Saint Mary's Park Houses
5:20:16
ยท
3 min
Dana Elden, President of Saint Mary's Park Houses, testified about the lack of transparency and respect from NYCHA towards residents, particularly in relation to conversion projects and resident engagement. She shared personal experiences of being denied access to meeting spaces and criticized NYCHA's practices in promoting conversion programs.
- Highlighted an incident where residents were kicked out of their nomination election process to make room for NYCHA's conversion project meeting
- Expressed concerns about NYCHA violating HUD regulations regarding resident input in management decisions
- Called for changes in the voting process for conversions, suggesting 51% of the development's population should vote
- Emphasized the need for independent audits and better resolution processes for resident concerns
Dana Elden
5:20:16
Thank you.
5:20:17
Good afternoon, chairman Banks.
5:20:19
Good to see you again.
5:20:20
Hope you see come back to RPPH and meet with us again.
Chris Banks
5:20:23
Good to see you.
5:20:24
Yes.
Dana Elden
5:20:26
So I'm here today to discuss the importance of transparency, truth, and respect within the relationship that NYCHA should maintain in serving the rep residents.
5:20:36
During a recent incident, my ex my residents were kicked out of our nomination election process to allow NYCHA to promote their conversion project in a meeting for another development that has a senior center they could have used.
5:20:50
On November 21, '2 NYCHA coordinating staff members and I were denied access to our reserved lunchroom in our center by NYCHA's staff holding a meeting for more houses.
5:21:04
This was unacceptable as I had 17 residents in that meeting who were from the ages of 60 to 87 where there was no ventilation, no space for them.
5:21:16
NYCHA left us to dry out as they promote these conversion programs.
5:21:21
This is definitely a difference of what transparency means to NYCHA and how it relates to the residents.
5:21:27
We have witnessed NYCHA backflip so many issues.
5:21:31
The backflip was the dismissal of the resident leaders that were left out of the first conception of private management with the blueprint.
5:21:40
When we began as RPPH, we noted that in the violating of HUD regulations nine sixty four point one thirty five c, where we were supposed to sit at the table and have input and most certainly how it was all going to be done and to whom it would be done too.
5:21:59
That is where RPPH came in.
5:22:01
We are comprised of resident leaders who defy the forced actions of NYCHA upon our residents around the city.
5:22:09
And when we reminded NYCHA of this terrible action against the residents, they continue to go forward with these conversions.
5:22:17
I believe that NYCHA has perpetuated their lives.
UNKNOWN
5:22:20
Your time has expired.
5:22:21
Thank you.
Chris Banks
5:22:22
You have thirty seconds to wrap it up.
Dana Elden
5:22:24
I'm trying to
Chris Banks
5:22:25
Miss Ellen.
Dana Elden
5:22:28
They have bullied us every day as residents, and the pressure that NYCHA gives towards these conversion has terrorized many elderly residents like myself and my age.
5:22:40
And the fear as a wheelchair bound senior that this might one day come to my development is overbearing.
5:22:47
Something must be done, and NYCHA must fix this voting issue as it should be 51% of the population of the development that votes for these conversions and and as well as the trust.
5:23:04
And so under this under this this this program here, I I don't see any good coming from it, chairman.
5:23:12
And and you have to do something definitely have to do something in the way of of independent audit, and there must be some resolution to seek out because we're not being heard.
5:23:25
For eight people to speak for all of us, as we said before, it's obnoxious.
5:23:30
And at my age, I don't have time to waste.
5:23:33
Thank you very much.