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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Monica Mercola, Staff Attorney at Legal Aid Society, on Residential Displacement After Emergencies

2:06:36

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150 sec

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Monica Mercola, a staff attorney from the Legal Aid Society's Housing Justice Unit, testified about the challenges faced by displaced residents and the need for improved support systems. She highlighted three key areas where residents need assistance from the government after being displaced due to emergencies.

Residents need a dedicated navigator to connect them with emergency and social services and provide ongoing support until they can return home or find permanent housing.
Clear and concise public notices are necessary regarding repairs and the timeline for returning to their homes.
Enforcement is needed to ensure buildings and property are secured, and a clear process should be established for residents to retrieve their belongings safely.

Monica Mercola

2:06:36

Hello.

2:06:37

My name is Monica Mercola and I am a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society's Housing Justice Unit Group Advocacy Team where I help represent and advocate for displaced residents.

2:06:50

The Legal Aid Society has been assisting displaced residents for decades.

2:06:55

And through its work I and others have seen the successes and the pitfalls of the process.

2:07:03

The residents who have testified and will continue to testify today will share with you how they have felt abandoned, how they have had to navigate losing their possessions, their homes, and sometimes their livelihoods, How this system, more often than not, has failed them.

2:07:23

As mentioned, you have heard and will continue to hear from residents about their personal hardships and their experiences of displacement after a disaster.

2:07:36

The Legal Aid Society has worked with hundreds of similarly affected residents, and we have heard from almost every single client the same concerns.

2:07:48

While our written testimony goes into greater detail, I would like to highlight three practical things that residents want from their government.

2:07:59

First, a navigator, someone to connect them with the emergency and social services available who will stick with them and help them problem solve until they are able to move back into their homes or other permanent housing.

2:08:16

Second, clear and concise public notices of when actions will be taken with respect to repairs to their homes and the ability to return.

2:08:28

And lastly, third, enforcement to ensure that their buildings and property are safely secured from when they are finally able to retrieve their possessions and a clear process for being able to collect their belongings when it is safe to do so.

2:08:45

Emergencies by nature are unforeseen, and during these times our government has the opportunity and ability to help.

2:08:52

This package of bills is the first step, but more work needs to be done.

2:08:57

The Legal Aid Society supports these bills with amendments and looks forward to working with the city council to further provide meaningful support to displaced residents.

2:09:05

Thank you.

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Council member thanks and praises tenant leader Ricardine Verdiner

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Testimony by Jessica Bellinder, Supervising Attorney at Legal Aid Society