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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Mimi Mitchell, Member of the Public, on Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan
2:15:37
ยท
125 sec
Mimi Mitchell expresses concerns about the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan, particularly regarding affordable housing and potential displacement of residents. She criticizes the lack of deeply affordable housing options and compares the situation to the Gowanus rezoning.
- Argues for MIH option 3 and 3.5 to prevent displacement of black and brown communities
- Highlights the loss of black residents in Community District 8 and the need for real affordability
- Raises concerns about landlord tactics removing rent-stabilized apartments and the underfunding of right to counsel for tenants facing eviction
Mimi Mitchel
2:15:37
Sorry about that, I had an issue.
2:15:39
Okay, good afternoon, my name is Mimi Mitchell.
2:15:41
I just firstly would like to say thank you to council members, Osei and Hudson, for all their hard work as well as community boards who have participated in this process.
2:15:52
I want to speak out on behalf of the tenants in this community that have spent years crafting a plan that truly serves its residents.
2:15:59
Yet now we're being told that deeply affordable housing under option three and option 3.5 mandatory inclusionary housing isn't possible for us, but yet it was possible for the Gowanus, which is an affluent majorly white neighborhood.
2:16:17
Why is it that when it's our black and brown communities fighting for affordability, we're always given roadblocks and told it can't be done.
2:16:25
We now know what happens when rezonings move forward without deep affordability.
2:16:30
Families are displaced.
2:16:32
Community District 8 has lost more black residents than any other part of the city.
2:16:38
Without real affordability, this plan will only push out more tenants.
2:16:43
Without the MIH option that we have pushed for, we will not get the additional units that we need in order to prevent the stem of rapid displacement.
2:16:58
We also know that tenants are under attack.
2:17:01
Landlords are abusing loopholes like substantial rehabilitation and demolition claims to remove rent stabilized apartment.
2:17:09
Can you imagine what's going to happen with the to our tenants within the next six to ten years?
2:17:14
And when tenants do fight back, they often don't get the representation they need.
2:17:18
We've seen proof that 85% of tenants with lawyers stay in their homes when their cases are taken when they are facing the eviction process.
2:17:28
But yet right to counsel is underfunded and too many tenants are forced to face eviction alone.
2:17:34
This city cannot justify approving deeply affordable housing in Gowanus while
UNKNOWN
2:17:38
the nine year Thank you.
2:17:39
Your time expired.
Mimi Mitchel
2:17:40
Oh, thank you.