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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Imani Sharif Al-Farisi, Delegate from Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys (ALAA)
3:15:23
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Imani Sharif Al-Farisi, a delegate from Camden Legal Services Workers United at ALAA, testified about the crucial role of case handling paralegals in assisting NYCHA tenants and Section 8 recipients. She emphasized the importance of paralegals in preventing evictions and resolving rental arrears, and called for full funding of legal services to meet union bargaining demands.
- Highlighted the role of paralegals in understanding charges, interviewing tenants, and advocating to settle administrative proceedings before they reach housing court
- Mentioned ALAA's organizing efforts, resulting in over 95% of legal services workers in NYC becoming UAW 2325 members
- Stressed the need for fair contracts and stability for union members to ensure the best representation for working-class New Yorkers
Imani Sharif Al-Farisi
3:15:23
Hi.
3:15:24
Good afternoon.
3:15:24
Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
3:15:27
My name is Imani Sharifel Farisi, and I am a delegate from Camden Legal Services Workers United at the Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys.
3:15:35
I would like to speak on the crucial role that case handling paralegals play in assisting NYCHA tenants and section eight recipients.
3:15:45
When NYCHA tenants are informed of an administrative proceeding and served with charges, many mistakenly believe that a housing court case has been commenced failing to recognize an administrative proceeding as a possible preventative measure to housing court an action.
3:16:00
It takes an experienced paralegal to understand the charges, interview tenants, review their files, and effectively advocate on their behalf to settle the proceeding.
3:16:08
Paralegals play a key role in preventing these cases from advancing to housing court and preventing eviction from public public housing.
3:16:14
Furthermore, paralegals may also assist NYCHA tenants and section eight recipients to resolve accrued rental arrears balances that threaten their permanent housing.
3:16:22
Paralegals knowledgeable of the processes required to secure financial assistance from the Human Resources Administration through a one shot deal or from a charitable organization are crucial to assist tenants to resolve their balances.
3:16:34
In 2025, ALAA has fundamentally changed the terrain of legal services through our organizing.
3:16:40
Now over 95% of legal services workers in New York City are UAW twenty three twenty five members.
3:16:47
In fiscal year 2026, we are asking the council to fully fund legal services so our employers can meet our core bargaining demands.
3:16:54
My written testimony will detail these demands.
3:16:57
Our members are not immune from the affordability crisis that has hit our city hard.
3:17:01
Austerity budgets and legal services hurt our union, and they hurt New Yorkers.
3:17:05
Settling fair contracts that are centered on these demands will provide stability to our members and ensure working class New Yorkers get the absolute best equal representation.
3:17:15
They deserve nothing less.