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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Shams DaBaron, Housing Advocate, on One45 for Harlem Development
1:29:36
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3 min
Shams DaBaron, a former homeless individual turned housing advocate, testifies in support of the One45 for Harlem development project. He emphasizes the urgent need for affordable housing in Harlem to address homelessness and retain black professionals in the community.
- DaBaron shares his personal experience of homelessness in Harlem and his journey to becoming a housing advocate and Charter Revision Commissioner.
- He highlights the current homelessness crisis in New York City, with 85,000 individuals in shelters, including 31,000 children.
- DaBaron argues that rejecting housing projects like One45 will lead to more shelters in Harlem, which is already oversaturated with them.
Shams DaBaron
1:29:36
Good to see everybody today.
1:29:39
Distinguished council members, I'm Shams the Baron known as the homeless hero and now the housing hero.
1:29:46
Thirty years ago, I spent many nights curled up on a park bench across from where one four five is proposed.
1:29:54
Colonel Young Playground, where I slept as a throwaway kid back when I was a teenager.
1:30:03
I'd stare at the stars wondering if I'd ever have a home.
1:30:07
Today, I stand before you as someone who collaborates with the city, the mayor's administration on addressing housing and homelessness, centering the voices of those with lived experience, I fought alongside hundreds of advocates for the city of Yes for Housing Opportunity and now serve as a commissioner on the Charter Revision Commission.
1:30:31
Despite all that we as a city has done to deal with the issues of housing and homelessness, the reality is that as of present, 85,000 individuals in our shelter system and 31,000 of them are children.
1:30:47
Despite gains in addressing homelessness, we see more people entering shelters every day.
1:30:54
Harlem is oversaturated with shelters while affordable housing remains scarce.
1:31:01
Every time we say no to housing like one four five, we're saying yes to more shelters.
1:31:06
If we as a city fail to produce housing, the result is going to be more shelters.
1:31:13
It's that simple.
1:31:14
As a foster kid on a hundred and fortieth between seventh and eighth, I found inspiration walking down Striver's Row, seeking seeing black professionals who looked like me but didn't live like me.
1:31:27
Seeing them in the community, I had an image of my potential.
1:31:31
I knew that whatever my situation was at the time, there was a better way.
1:31:36
Today, we have doctors, lawyers, and business owners who are black and thriving, but they are leaving Harlem in alarming numbers.
1:31:44
Over just one decade, our community lost nearly 11,000 black residents.
1:31:50
They're headed to Jersey, Pennsylvania, Westchester, taking with them the role models our youth desperately need.
1:31:57
One four five
Yusef Salaam
1:31:58
You can
Kevin Riley
1:31:59
start wrapping up.
Shams DaBaron
1:31:59
Nearly 1,000 new homes, about 300 affordable and deeply affordable in a community that has always been a sanctuary for people of varying incomes.
1:32:10
Council members, I've lived homelessness and housing insecurity, but I've dedicated my life to finding solutions.
1:32:17
That park bench where I once slept is still there today, but with your vote, it can become the view from someone's window instead of their bed.
1:32:24
Vote yes for a Harlem where no child's dreams are deferred by homelessness.
1:32:30
Vote yes on one four five so people in Harlem can rise and thrive.