Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Karen Blondel, Housing Advocate
4:52:07
ยท
3 min
Karen Blondel, a housing advocate, testified about the RAD/PACT program, her involvement in creating the NYC Preservation Trust, and her concerns about the Citywide Council of Presidents (CCOP). She called for the dissolution of CCOP, stating it does not represent residents' interests.
- Blondel criticized CCOP for being in power for 33 years without proper representation
- She requested accurate numbers on RAD conversions, challenging a previous statement by Council Member Chris Banks
- Blondel mentioned filing a complaint with HUD regarding her testimony time being cut short
Karen Blondel
4:52:07
Yes.
4:52:09
I'm glad.
4:52:10
Medical assistance demonstration and PAC were created by the Obama administration in 02/2008.
4:52:17
It was the only choice at the time, and it was trashed in regards to the residents.
4:52:24
I hated red back in 02/2008.
4:52:26
But when I see a problem, I immediately look for a solution.
4:52:32
My solution was to learn about red pack and to elevate the resident concerns, especially in Red which at the time were focused around fear of being misplaced amongst other concerns.
4:52:45
I then advocated for and helped with the creation of the New York City Preservation Trust, and this brings me to the citywide council of president.
4:52:58
Our job as duly elected vice of representatives, I'm the president of ResWeb, is to provide the residents with all the information and options available.
4:53:07
All information and options available so that they can decide for themselves.
4:53:14
Instead, members of and their collaborators have decided that this position is the own position, like the residents to the.
4:53:24
We, the duly elected resident council of Rev up West, and the Rev up West resident association are recognized by the New York City Housing Authority under the HUD act of 1937 and regulated by 24 CFR nine sixty four.
4:53:41
We ask that PCOP be dissolved immediately.
4:53:44
PCOP does not speak for the rent of houses.
4:53:47
PCOP has been in, position for thirty three years.
4:53:51
I think the only way people leave off of that particular alleged counsel is when they die.
4:54:00
That is not acceptable.
UNKNOWN
4:54:02
Your time has expired.
Brian Honan
4:54:03
Thank you.
Karen Blondel
4:54:04
That went on with with resident leaders on just finished.
4:54:09
A lot of them Miss
Chris Banks
4:54:10
miss Rondell, your your your time has expired, but I'll give you thirty thirty seconds to wrap it up.
Karen Blondel
4:54:17
I have one minute forty seconds.
4:54:19
I'm timing myself too.
4:54:21
So let's just quit all of this and go to the other question, Chris.
4:54:26
And that is, can you give me the accurate number of conversions since you stood behind me and pretty much threatened me in in February?
4:54:33
Thank you.
Chris Banks
4:54:37
Can you repeat the question, or does this conclude your testimony?
Karen Blondel
4:54:41
Question.
4:54:42
You can let me conclude even though I I had a whole minute left because I'm climbing myself.
4:54:48
But, anyway, that's even getting my because my complaint is going at the 903 to HUD.
4:54:55
My question to you is, I saw you, and you said there were 82 or 83,000 rat conversions in New York City.
4:55:03
And I told you that it was more like 23,000.
4:55:06
Did you get that number today in the theorem?
4:55:09
Thank you.