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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sheena Benjamin, Harlem Native and Community Member, on One45 for Harlem Development Proposal
1:14:46
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3 min
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Sheena Benjamin, a Harlem native and mother, strongly opposes the One45 for Harlem development proposal. She argues that the project does not meet the community's needs, particularly in terms of affordability, and would lead to displacement of long-time Harlem residents.
- Benjamin highlights the disparity between the Area Median Income (AMI) used for "affordable" units and the actual median income in Harlem.
- She emphasizes the current housing crisis in New York City, with extremely low vacancy rates for truly affordable units.
- While not opposed to development in general, Benjamin calls for solutions that genuinely benefit the existing Harlem community.
Sheena Benjamin
1:14:46
Okay.
1:14:46
Thank you.
1:14:47
Good morning.
1:14:48
My name is Sheena Benjamin, and I'm a mother, a Harlem native, and a daughter of the second great migration, a first generation northerner.
1:14:57
I stand here not just be not just as a voice, but as a legacy bearer of those who built Harlem, preserved Harlem, and never left Harlem.
1:15:06
I rise today in firm opposition to one forty five proposal, not because I'm against progress, but because I am for Harlem.
1:15:15
This proposal does not reflect our needs, our income, or our future.
1:15:20
Let's be honest.
1:15:22
Developers are calling these units affordable, but affordable to whom?
1:15:26
In 2025, the area median income for New York City is a hundred and $45,000 about for a family of three.
1:15:38
Harlem medium medium income is less than 52,000.
1:15:43
At 80% AMI, rents can reach at least $2,500 a month or more, a price Harlan families simply cannot pay.
1:15:53
New York City is in a declared housing emergency.
1:15:58
Vacancy for affordable units is below 1%.
1:16:01
For those earning 30% AMI or less, the vacancy rate is less than half a percent.
1:16:07
Over 130,000 New Yorkers are in shelters, and the number is climbing.
1:16:12
This crisis is not abstract.
1:16:16
It is visible on every block in Harlem and is disproportionately affecting the residents, seniors, veterans, single mothers, single fathers, disabled individuals, and youth.
1:16:28
Let me say it plainly that this is not a development, this is displacement, respectfully.
1:16:34
Displacement displacement means being forced out of your home, school zone, and supporting systems because what you're being built is not meant for you.
1:16:45
Thank you.
1:16:46
So I asked that the city counts so I asked the city council, why must Harlem carry another luxury towel while we're still in crisis?
1:16:53
Why not build in higher income areas with higher vacancy?
1:16:58
Why here and why now?
1:17:00
We know who truly needs the housing, survivors of domestic violence and trafficking, the deaf, the blind, and the neurodivergent adults.
1:17:08
Trans youth and elders not in safe shelters.
1:17:13
Fostered youth Shayna, can
Kevin Riley
1:17:15
you sorry.
1:17:15
Can you I'm right here.
1:17:16
You can wrap it
Sheena Benjamin
1:17:17
up for us, please.
1:17:18
Thank And plainly, I see the change that the developers have made to where we got today.
1:17:24
Harlem is not opposed to to the change.
1:17:26
We're not opposed to the development.
1:17:28
We don't wanna be pushed out of what we built.
1:17:31
The people who are in Harlem now are the descendants of the people who came here from the South to seek refuge.
1:17:37
To have this one this one area that's seemingly a gated community for people who are not supportive of the people who are around the community is not is just not right.
1:17:47
It's the same red lining that you talked about respectfully.
1:17:51
But I I do believe in solution based situations.
1:17:55
And I'm here on behalf of my church, I am more than willing to work with you in any way, shape, form, or fashion to help this go forward if it even advances.
1:18:04
At this moment, where it stands now, this does not benefit Harlem at any shape, form, or fashion.
1:18:10
Thank you.