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Q&A
Discussion on Third Party Transfer (TPT) program funding in the executive budget
0:54:28
·
3 min
Council Member Restler questions Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani about the lack of additional funding for the reformed Third Party Transfer (TPT) program in the executive budget. Tigani explains that the program's details are still being determined through ongoing conversations with the council.
- Tigani highlights that the TPT program involves multiple city agencies, each requiring additional resources
- The commissioner suggests that most implementation could happen using next year's budget funds
- Restler expresses concern about passing the bill without necessary resources to operate the program
- Tigani emphasizes the need to finalize the program's parameters before determining the budget
Lincoln Restler
0:54:28
The executive budget does not include additional funding specifically for reformed third party transfer program.
0:54:34
Is that right?
0:54:35
How can we work together to ensure additional resources are included in the adopted budget?
0:54:39
Assuming you agree that they're necessary.
0:54:41
And at the preliminary hearing, HPD testified that you would get back to the chair on the approximate staffing cost to date or even better per round to administer TPT, understanding that this is a multi agency effort.
0:54:54
Do you have those staffing cost estimates for the chair today?
0:56:59
So just to be clear, you're not anticipating or planning for additional funds in the adopted budget to ensure effective management of of TPT?
0:57:08
You think that their existing resources will be adequate for the legislation that's ultimately passed.
0:57:26
Okay.
0:57:26
I mean, just think the chair has taken a real leadership role on this.
0:57:30
It's been such a thorny issue for such a period of time.
0:57:33
To pass this bill without the necessary resources to operate the program would be a recipe for would be a challenging dynamic for all of us.
0:57:39
I will be it's this I'm I'm just trying to channel.
0:57:42
So I hope that we're working through that at the same time.
0:57:45
Anything you want to add?
0:57:46
Yes.
Ahmed Tigani
0:54:57
So I think as mentioned at the last hearing, part of the reason why we are not yet sure what the costs are is we're in conversation with your office, with your team, and with you about what the program should look like.
0:55:08
The program involves not just HPD.
0:55:10
It involves Department of Finance, the Law Department, DEP, all of which would have to include additional staff, resources, technology, investments in order to make this happen.
0:55:22
You know, we had talked about some of the costs that were incurred during the last round and what that looked like for both ourselves, for those partners, Neighborhood Restore, and then also costs like maintaining the buildings in the interim before transfer happens.
0:55:39
We start there, but before we can move forward, we need to know what kind of program we're working on with you which we're committed to advancing and making happen.
0:55:49
And then additionally we have talked to you about technical assistance for owners.
0:55:53
Replicating the type of investments we've made one to four family but looking at that for multi family buildings.
0:55:59
We just recently I think had really productive conversations about how to use some existing funds to advance their owner resource center.
0:56:07
And that will be a key part of not only the city side of the investment but working with CBOs on the outside to help those owners.
0:56:14
So I really think that that's a budget that will need to come out of those conversations.
0:56:20
And even if we pass legislation in the near future, we would be, most of the implementation could happen using next year budget funds.
0:56:30
And in the short term, especially after talking to many of the council members and things that we have presented ourselves with OMB, there are more near future needs we need to fund.
0:56:44
But we do think that in the next budget, from a timing perspective, those funds being there would make us able to implement the program we designed with you and pass into legislation.
0:57:13
I think we have to talk about both the legislation, the program, what the parameters and contours of the program is before we can put a budget together.
0:57:21
Otherwise, it will be underfunded or we're not sure what we're funding for.