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Council Member Julie Won introduces resolution urging state action on landlord accountability for fire-displaced tenants

1:11:28

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Council Member Julie Won introduces Resolution 802, urging the New York State legislature to pass bills requiring landlords responsible for fires resulting in vacate orders to cover temporary housing costs for displaced tenants. Won emphasizes the importance of this legislation in addressing the housing crisis and preventing landlords from exploiting fire incidents to convert rent-regulated units.

Won cites a specific case in her district where 250 tenants were displaced by a fire caused by landlord negligence
The resolution aims to incentivize timely repairs and ensure tenants can return to their homes quickly
Won acknowledges the recent passing of Efraim Taskel from a Sunnyside fire

Julie Won

1:11:28

I'm today I'm introducing Reso eight zero two urging the state to pass, Senate Bill three eight eight six sponsored by Senator Michael Genaris as well as Assembly Bill by Claire Valdez.

1:11:40

This is a crucial legislation that would that requires building owners found responsible for fires that result in a vacate order to cover the cost of temporary housing for displaced tenants until repairs are completed.

1:11:52

No tenant should be left in a limbo after an emergency.

1:11:55

Yet too often displaced tenants are forced to wait for months or even years as we're seeing in my district without clear communication from property owners uncertain of when they when they can or even if they ever will return home.

1:12:08

In 2023, a fire caused by A and E real estate displaced 250 tenants in Sunnyside in my district.

1:12:14

This was a fire blatantly caused by the landlord's negligence.

1:12:18

A year later, the 107 unit building remains empty and not a single step has been taken to repair the building or reconstruct it.

1:12:25

We're in the middle of a housing crisis and it's unconscionable for these units to sit vacant indefinitely.

1:12:31

My constituents lost their home through no fault of their own.

1:12:34

They should not have to wait for years living with relatives, going from shelter to shelter, couch surfing while A and E, their millionaire landlords, keep their building vacant.

1:12:44

What's more, there's a financial incentive for landlords like A and E to delay making repairs until tenants move on so that they can relinquish their rights to return to a rent regulated unit.

1:12:56

This is this then allows the landlord to build new non regulated apartments which are much more profitable for their bottom line.

1:13:03

By holding negligent landlords accountable, the state bill would provide strong incentive for timely repairs, ensure tenants can return safely and stable into their housing as quickly as possible.

1:13:13

So passing these bills in the state assembly is a necessary step to strengthen housing security, promote fairness, and uphold the dignity of New Yorkers in a time of crisis.

1:13:22

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I stand with the displaced tenants across our city due to fires.

1:13:28

Thank you council member Riley and council member Sanchez for co priming this resolution, and I also wanna acknowledge Efraim Taskel, who the speaker also acknowledged that passed away this past week from a Sunnyside fire as well.

1:13:39

Thank you.

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Council Member Kevin Riley introduces resolution to hold negligent landlords accountable for fire-related tenant displacement

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