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Council Member Joseph suggests city takeover of problematic buildings

2:01:26

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102 sec

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Council Member Rita C. Joseph proposes that the city should take over the worst buildings in the Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP) and convert them into HDFCs or community land trusts. Acting Commissioner Tigani responds by discussing existing programs and efforts.

Joseph suggests giving problematic buildings back to the community if landlords fail to maintain them
Tigani mentions the Third Party Transfer (TPT) program, which is being revised in collaboration with the City Council
HPD spends significant funds through the Emergency Repair Program to address hazardous issues in both AEP and non-AEP buildings
Over $62.2 million has been spent on repairs over the program cycle

Rita C. Joseph

2:01:26

There should be a program.

2:01:27

If these buildings are the worst, the city should take them over and make them into HGFCs and let them as as council member Brewer alluded, community land trusts.

2:01:36

Give it back to the community if the landlords are not doing their part.

2:01:39

Right?

2:01:40

So it's supposed to run their service and they have not done that because I've I've visited and I went to I I went to parent I'm not parent.

2:01:47

I'm such an educator.

2:01:50

Tenant association meetings.

Ahmed Tigani

2:01:51

So council member Joseph, there's two things.

2:01:53

One, there we are you know, there was a program, the TPT, the third party transfer, but, you know there was a lot of questions about how that program was organized, what the rules and regs are, and we're working right now with the council to see that come back in a way that really does the goals that you've talked about.

2:02:13

Additionally, I'll say that even though we don't take over the buildings, as the deputy commissioner said, we spend a tremendous amount of money through our other program, the emergency repair program which we do in AEP buildings and the non AEP buildings to make repairs on hazardous and life safety issues that owners can't or won't do.

2:02:34

Here we've spent over 62,200,000.0 over the program cycle on repairs.

2:02:39

We pay for utilities when utilities are shut off and system replacements.

2:02:43

And to answer your first question, we have over 3,600 buildings as of January 2024 in the program but we have seen 3,015 buildings exit the program of AEP.

2:02:59

So that being said, every program especially at a time where expenses and the situation is where it is now for both tenant owners could use improvement.

2:03:07

We'd love to talk to you about what your idea is.

Rita C. Joseph

2:03:08

Do you monitor the buildings once they exit to make sure they're staying, they're following the course?

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HPD officials discuss AEP program improvements and success rates

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Discussion on monitoring buildings after exiting the AEP program