Pierina Sanchez
0:02:08
We are at an inflection point.
0:02:10
Our city faces not one, but a series of housing crises.
0:02:14
A stark imbalance of power between landlords and tenants, fueled by rampant inequities, a federal administration that is dismantling housing support for those most in need, a land use regime that distributes housing unfairly asking the same communities again and again to bear a disproportionate burden, a lack of supply overall and of truly affordable housing in particular, and a deteriorating building stock that subjects our neighbors to living conditions that no one should have to endure.
0:02:46
But at the same time, there is growing momentum to leave the status quo behind.
0:02:51
Communities are organized and have secured major housing wins in the fight for social housing.
0:02:56
A special shout out to the tenants and organizers in my community at Thousand 21 Dash 05 Davidson and 705709 West 170 in council member de la Rosa's district in their continuing fights.
0:03:08
And in city government, are taking bigger swings at systemic change, though we must of course go much further.
0:03:17
In the past year, the city has taken important steps to start to turn the tide, many of which I was proud to champion.
0:03:24
City of Yes, an overhaul of our city zoning code paired with the council city for all, a comprehensive set of housing and infrastructure investments totaling in $5,000,000,000.
0:03:34
Local laws one twenty six and twenty seven which cleared the way for safer basement apartments and accessory dwelling units across the city.
0:03:42
Local law 119 from council member Chi Osei, which will ban forced brokers fees.
0:03:47
Local law 79, a proactive inspection program for NYC, for New York City's most at risk buildings, and local law 122, a relaunched and reformed J 51 tax abatement, which will finance rehab work for thousands of homes with added protections.
0:04:04
Finally local laws one hundred one and one hundred two, which would have expanded the eligibility for the city's eviction prevention vouchers or city feps, had the mayor not decided to veto the legislation and refused to implement it after the council override and continue, we continue to fight this duly enacted law in court.
0:04:20
This as we will discuss today is more important than ever as the Trump administration reneges on nearly 8,000 emergency housing vouchers that were issued only last year.
0:04:31
These steps however are simply not enough to deliver what New Yorkers deserve.
0:04:35
A city where all can afford to live, where they can afford to stay, where they can put down roots and raise a family without fear of displacement.
0:04:44
At today's hearing, we ask what investments are needed to achieve that city?
0:04:48
Does the mayor's preliminary budget deliver on these investments?
0:04:52
And if not, how can we work together between now and June to ensure that our city's housing and building buildings agencies have the resources they need to fulfill their mission?
