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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Pamela Herrera, Land Justice Coordinator of Western Queens Community Land Trust
4:29:06
·
113 sec
Pamela Herrera from Western Queens Community Land Trust testifies about the organization's work in making land permanently affordable for future generations, focusing on economic, racial, and environmental justice. She requests full funding of $3 million for the Citywide Community Land Trust Initiative to support their operations and expand their staff.
- The organization has worked on various housing projects, including assisting tenants, homeowners, and converting public buildings into affordable spaces.
- They advocate for marginalized Black and brown communities at risk of displacement.
- The requested funding would allow them to hire a second staff member to address tenant organizing and daily operations currently handled by volunteers.
Pamela Herrera
4:29:06
Good afternoon council members.
4:29:08
My name is Pamela Herrera, and I am the land justice coordinator at Western Queens Community Land Trust.
4:29:14
Our mission is to help the Western Queens community own and steward land, making it permanently affordable for future generations, always focusing on economic, racial, and environmental justice.
4:29:25
In the past year, we have worked with nonprofit developers to assess potential housing projects, assisted tenants dealing with neglected landlords, worked with homeowners in danger of losing their homes, and are currently putting together a professional team of developers and financing to convert a public building into a permanently affordable space for artists in manufacturing.
4:29:46
We advocate for black and brown communities who are the most marginalized and in danger of being displaced.
4:29:53
We host educational workshops, town halls, and community events.
4:29:57
We have a strong core of volunteers that support the organization's growth, but one single staffer, me.
4:30:04
Since 2022, our organization has received city council discretionary funding through the citywide community land trust initiative.
4:30:12
Without this crucial funding, none of the things I just described would have been possible.
4:30:17
We are now a respected staple in our community.
4:30:20
People come to us for help when it comes to housing and land issues.
4:30:24
Thanks to all the work this funding has allowed us to do.
4:30:28
We asked city council to ensure the full 3,000,000 in funding for the CLT initiative in this year's budget, just as speaker Adams committed to.
4:30:37
With this extra funding, we will be able to bring on much needed second staff member to address the tenant organizing and day to day operations currently being carried out by volunteer members of the community who have full time jobs and families who are already giving 300% because they understand how crucial this work is.
4:30:55
Your funding will make a huge difference for Western Queens.
4:30:59
Thank you.