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Q&A
Guarantees and funding challenges for Big Apple Connect
1:14:07
·
57 sec
Council Member Gutiérrez challenges Brett Sikoff on the long-term guarantees and funding stability of the Big Apple Connect program. Sikoff defends the program's immediate benefits while acknowledging some uncertainties.
- Gutiérrez points out that there's no guarantee of continued funding for Big Apple Connect
- Sikoff acknowledges the lack of guarantee for expansion beyond NYCHA
- OTI expects Big Apple Connect to become a mainstay service, similar to heat and water in NYCHA residences
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:14:07
But I mean, in the same light, there's no guarantee with Big Apple Connect.
1:14:12
I mean the funding that you're trying to get baseline if you don't get a baseline, which could very realistically happen under this administration, you'd have to try to secure year after year after year.
1:14:23
And so there there is no guarantee even with this existing program.
1:14:26
Correct?
Brett Sikoff
1:14:27
I mean there's a guarantee in terms of the folks getting connected right away and there's guarantee that they're receiving those benefits immediately upon almost day one of this administration and for as long as, to your point, funding
Jennifer Gutiérrez
1:14:39
is going There's guarantee that you can maintain funding, maintain it.
1:14:44
And there's no guarantee that you're going to expand beyond NYCHA?
Brett Sikoff
1:14:49
Correct.
1:14:50
But as we've said, as we've maintained for years now, the expectation is that Big Apple Connect will be a mainstay, will be available just as heat not water is available to natural residents that Big Apple Connect will be there.
1:15:02
So we're operating under that expectation.