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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Daren Sealey, Associate Director of the Housing Resource Center at Red Hook Community Justice Center

2:41:37

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103 sec

Daren Sealey, from the Red Hook Community Justice Center, testified about the challenges faced by NYCHA residents and the services provided by their Housing Resource Centers to address these issues. He emphasized the importance of safe and affordable housing and described their initiatives to support NYCHA residents.

The Housing Resource Centers in Harlem and Red Hook supported over 2,600 NYCHA residents last year with court navigation, tenant assistance, and connections to legal and financial resources.
A citywide Housing Navigator Initiative was launched to embed navigators in various NYCHA developments to assist with rental arrears, habitability concerns, and eviction prevention.
The Virtual Court Access Network (VCAN) helps tenants respond to eviction notices, file for repairs, and connect with court services remotely, addressing barriers to in-person court access.

Daren Sealey

2:41:37

Good afternoon chair banks and esteemed members of the public housing committee.

2:41:41

My name is Darren Sealy and I serve as the associate director of the housing resource center at the Red Hook Community Justice Center, an initiative of the center for into innovation.

2:41:51

Access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is the foundation of economic and community well-being, yet NYCHA residents continue to face hazardous living conditions, chronic repair delays, and ongoing threats of eviction.

2:42:02

I will work at the housing resource centers in Harlem and Red Oak directly address these challenges.

2:42:07

These centers provide court navigation, one on one tenant assistance, and direct connections to legal and financial resources.

2:42:13

Last year, we supported over 2,600 NYCHA residents helping them document repair needs, advocate for lease protections, and navigate the court system.

2:42:23

Recognizing the increasing housing instability across public housing, the center launched a citywide housing navigator initiative embedding housing navigators in East Harlem, the South Bronx, Far Rockaway, and Red Hook.

2:42:35

These navigators worked directly with NACHA developments to assist tenants in resolving rental arrears addressing habitability concerns and preventing evictions ensuring that residents receive the report they need before reaching a crisis point.

2:42:48

In addition through our virtual court access network also known as VCAN we help tenants respond to eviction notices, file housing part actions for needed repairs and connect with court services remotely.

2:42:59

VCAN ensures that NYCHA residents who often face barriers to in person court access can still exercise their legal right without unnecessary delays or procedural road blocks.

2:43:09

And we urge the council to continue funding these essential programs supporting NYCHA residents means supporting housing justice, equity, and the well-being of our communities.

2:43:18

Thank you for your time and commitment to this issue.

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Testimony by Trenton Price, Executive Director of Salvadori Center

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Testimony by Manny Martinez, Resident Council President of South Jamaica Houses, on NYCHA's Budget and Operations