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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Celines Miranda, Member of Fulton and Elliot Chelsea Tenants Against Demolition
4:52:18
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3 min
Celines Miranda, a member of Fulton and Elliot Chelsea Tenants Against Demolition, passionately addresses the homelessness crisis in New York City, criticizing officials for prioritizing private development over public housing. She argues against the demolition of NYCHA buildings in Chelsea and urges tenants to retain their Section 9 leases for stronger housing protections.
- Emphasizes the need to focus on housing the homeless rather than catering to the rich
- Warns about the risks of RAD/PACT conversions, citing increased eviction rates after private conversions
- Opposes the proposed demolition of NYCHA buildings in Chelsea, claiming it goes against residents' wishes
- Advocates for maintaining and expanding public housing instead of converting to Section 8 or other programs
Celines Miranda
4:52:18
Let's try this again.
4:52:20
Okay, so I've been deeply affected by seeing homeless people sleeping in our nature development And it's making me realize how bad our homeless situation is.
4:52:32
Nobody wants to see people living in our stairwell.
4:52:35
It's a disturbance.
4:52:36
And the more people we see sleeping in our surroundings, then it's a much more serious matter.
4:52:42
Our NYCHA buildings are living testimony to how serious a problem we have.
4:52:47
We have a homeless crisis.
4:52:49
We don't have a housing crisis.
4:52:51
We have a homeless crisis.
4:52:53
How come this is not the topic of conversation?
4:52:56
Get them out of our buildings.
4:52:58
Let's get new buildings and now they are gone out of our sight.
4:53:02
But they're still homeless.
4:53:04
Where's the care?
4:53:05
Where's the intervention?
4:53:07
Elected officials, NYCHA, HUD, how much do you care about the housing the homeless?
4:53:14
You're putting all of your efforts into catering to the rich and doing away with public housing, the most affordable housing we have.
4:53:21
Shame on you.
4:53:22
Shame.
4:53:24
We are in a crisis and need more public housing.
4:53:27
The stress of trauma and homelessness triggers mental health issues.
4:53:33
Eric Bacher, I thought you were an advocate for the mentally ill.
4:53:37
Where's your care?
4:53:38
We need to prevent homelessness and hold dear value public housing.
4:53:44
We cannot do away with it.
4:53:46
Affordable housing houses people who already have housing, people with good paying jobs.
4:53:52
How come we are not focusing our attention on the homeless?
4:53:56
The controller reports unpack eviction makes it clear that eviction rates rise after a private conversion.
4:54:05
Does NYCHA even keep track of what happens to those evicted tenants?
4:54:08
Where are they?
4:54:10
How many end up homeless?
4:54:12
No more rat pack conversions.
4:54:14
It's not secure.
4:54:15
We have become vulnerable.
4:54:18
Instead as an effect of rat pack because we are at risk of a mass demolition in Chelsea.
4:54:24
They have been consistently lying to the public about how this proposal will cost.
4:54:29
The inflated price of 1,900,000,000.0 might change again because of the inflation and tariff.
4:54:35
There's no reason to tear down public housing.
4:54:37
We could lose the entire NYCHA community in Chelsea.
4:54:41
We know that funds are available to upkeep and maintain public housing.
4:54:45
There's plenty of capital circulating throughout New York City alone.
4:54:49
We can, we must maintain our section nine lease and keep public housing public.
4:54:55
Section nine is not at risk.
4:54:57
The only housing that's being reported on the news for a possible cut is section eight.
4:55:02
The Nixon administration wanted to do away with public housing but they couldn't.
4:55:07
Section nine is protected by the federal government.
4:55:09
This is why section eight and wrap pack began, began.
4:55:13
These new programs, tenants volunteer themselves out of their section nine lease.
4:55:18
When you willingly give up your section nine lease, then NYCHA nor the government is no longer accountable.
4:55:24
Hold on to your section nine lease where the strongest housing protection exists.
4:55:30
And one one more statement.
4:55:31
To the elected officials in NYCHA who are claiming resident led process in our demolition proposal, Have you watched the draft environmental impact hearing?
4:55:42
We spoke.
4:55:43
The grand majority said no demolition.
4:55:46
There's a petition against demolition of 949 signatures.
4:55:50
If you demolish, it's a demolition against our will.
4:55:54
It will be a demolition against our will.
4:55:57
Thank you.