Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Renee Keitt, Resident Association President of Elliot-Chelsea Houses
2:32:13
·
162 sec
Renee Keitt, Resident Association President of Elliot-Chelsea Houses, testifies about deep concerns regarding NYCHA's security contracts, particularly with Allied Universal. She calls for increased accountability, transparency, and resident engagement in NYCHA's operations and decision-making processes.
- Criticizes the ballooning costs of security contracts and lack of enforcement of contractual obligations
- Expresses frustration with NYCHA's failure to manage and protect public housing effectively
- Calls for penalties for NYCHA leadership and vendors who fail to meet their responsibilities
- Demands a moratorium on PATH and questions the additional payments to NYPD for security services
Renee Keitt
2:32:13
Okay.
2:32:14
I'm actually the resident association president of the Elliott Chelsea houses.
2:32:18
I come today with deep concern, frustration, and a call for accountability.
2:32:25
FGC FJ Security, also known as Allied Universal, has long provided security and fire watch guards at public housing developments.
2:32:34
Most recently, they had been awarded $76,000,000 contract in 2019, a contract that is now ballooned to $155,000,000 On top of that, FJC holds a separate $6,500,000 contract with the mayor's office.
2:32:48
We need this to stop, and it has.
2:32:50
This practice has gone on for years, and it continues.
2:32:53
We are back again, demanding transparency, oversight, and resident engagement, something mandated under HUD's nine sixty four regulations, as Mr.
2:33:01
Martinez has stated.
2:33:02
NYCHA has failed to enforce contractual obligation and has not demanded a return of funds where contractors have not complied.
2:33:10
Why has there been no public process for recovery of the money?
2:33:13
They were overcharged, like in the case of the now infamous $700 light bulb scandal.
2:33:18
NYCHA repeatedly claims it lacks funding.
2:33:21
If that's the case, they should be ensuring every dollar is spent wisely.
2:33:25
Instead, we see waste, poor oversight, and decisions that erode public trust.
2:33:29
We are tired.
2:33:30
We continue to face NYCHA's fears and its most basic responsibility to manage and protect public housing and its residents.
2:33:36
It feels intentional.
2:33:38
It feels like they are trying to to destroy this prime housing stock to hand it over to developers.
2:33:43
Who is ensuring that recommendations NYCHA claims have accepted are actually being implemented?
2:33:49
Is this under the purview of the federal monitor?
2:33:52
If not, it should be.
2:33:53
There must be penalties written into the executive leadership contracts.
2:33:57
If this is about money and funding, then failure must come with consequences.
2:34:01
NYCHA has over 300 lawyers at a cost of 50,000,000 Surely someone can revise a contract to hold vendors accountable.
2:34:07
This is inexcusable.
2:34:09
This is shameful.
2:34:10
These officials are sworn in.
2:34:11
If they lie, what is the penalty?
2:34:13
If one exists, it must be enforced.
2:34:16
Security should
Manny Martinez
2:34:16
not include the Time expired.
Chris Banks
2:34:18
Thirty seconds to wrap it up.
Renee Keitt
2:34:21
We call for a moratorium on PATH.
2:34:22
NIPH just claimed that security is now needed.
2:34:24
It no longer pays 70,000,000.
2:34:28
Oh, sorry.
2:34:29
That was Eric Botcher pays 70,000,000 to NYPD raises deeper issues about representation.
2:34:34
We are taxpayers.
2:34:35
We already pay for the NYPD.
2:34:37
To be forced to pay again for services others receive through public funding is double taxation.
2:34:43
NYCHA needs a revolution, a revolution of advocacy, of honest resident engagement, of sustained reinvestment and continued maintenance.
2:34:49
We need real solutions, real accountability and respect for our communities.
2:34:55
Thank you.