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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jason Morello, Advocate and Resident from Jacob Riis Houses
3:54:50
ยท
122 sec
Jason Morello, a NYCHA resident and advocate from Jacob Riis Houses, testifies about the deteriorating conditions in public housing and criticizes the RAD/PACT program. He expresses frustration with local leaders for failing to address issues and allowing privatization.
- Describes poor conditions in NYCHA housing, including broken elevators, toxic mold, and lack of heat
- Criticizes PAC RAD as a privatization scheme that has led to more evictions and neglect
- Accuses specific local politicians of failing to protect public housing residents
Jason Morello
3:54:50
You may begin.
3:54:51
Good afternoon.
3:54:53
My name is Jason Morello.
3:54:56
I am a member of the New York State Conservative Party.
3:55:00
I'm also a longtime advocate and resident of NYCHA of Jacob Reeves houses for over thirty years.
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And I am also a running for city council as well in District 2.
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And I hope to be with you as a colleague fighting the good fight regarding this issue very soon.
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But here's my official statement.
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So I am Jason Morello, and I'm here today because NYCHA residents, our neighbors, our families are being left to suffer.
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For years, we watched public housing fall into deeper despair.
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We're seeing broken elevators, toxic mold, crumbling ceilings, no heat in the winter, no gas in the summer.
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We we seen lives put at risk, seniors trapped in their apartments, children breathing in hazardous hazardous conditions, and what have our so called leaders done?
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They have handed our homes over to PAC RAD, a privatization scheme designed as a solution stood by I'm sorry.
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They promised us better conditions, but what have we gotten instead?
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More evictions, more neglect, more mismanagement.
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They're taking public housing out of public hands, stripping residents of their rights and silencing the very people who built these communities.
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And council member Carlina Rivera, assembly member Harvey Epstein, and governor Hochul stood by as they this all has happened.
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And they told us that we'll fight for public housing.
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But when the time came they failed us and they let NYCHA deteriorate.
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They let private developers take over and let the people our people be pushed out.