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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sonia Simpson, Member of Affordable Housing Opportunity Right Away (AHORA)
3:13:02
·
99 sec
Sonia Simpson, a member of the Bronx advocacy group AHORA, shares her frustrating experiences with NYC's Housing Connect system for affordable housing. She highlights issues with eligibility, communication, and usability of the online portal, emphasizing the need for improvements to better serve low-income applicants.
- Simpson has been applying through Housing Connect for years but has faced challenges in securing housing due to time constraints and poor communication.
- She finds the Housing Connect portal difficult to use, especially on mobile devices, and receives emails about apartments she is not eligible for or cannot afford.
- Simpson calls for more units for low-income families, better in-person assistance, and improvements to the application process, including direct communication when selected for a unit.
Sonia Simpson
3:13:02
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
3:13:04
My name is Sonia Simpson.
3:13:06
I am part of Bronx advocacy group called Ahora Affordable Housing Opportunity Right Away.
3:13:14
I have been applying through Housing Connect since my children were young.
3:13:18
I have been, selected for a unit, but the time allowed, was not able to put the document in a timely fashion to the due to the crunch time and the poor communication.
3:13:38
I have a fixed and limited income.
3:13:41
There are very few apartments on Housing Connect for which I am eligible.
3:13:45
I need an affordable, clean, and healthy apartment.
3:13:49
I find the Housing Connect portal difficult to use.
3:13:52
I try to use my phone to update my application.
3:13:55
I have worked with UNHP to get help.
3:13:59
I received consent emails from Housing Connect for apartments, and I cannot afford and I'm not eligible for it.
3:14:06
This is frustrating, and I can only imagine how frustrating this must be for the elderly or non English speakers.
3:14:14
Going forward, I would like to be able to talk to a person when I am selected for a unit.
3:14:21
Email should be sent only to those who are eligible for the unit.
3:14:25
We need more units for low income families and individuals.
3:14:29
There needs to be more help on Housing Connect in communities.
3:14:34
Thanks for your time.
3:14:35
You have a thanks for, your time.