Press Event for Councilman Alan Gerson on the Tenant Empowerment Act

STATEMENT
by the
Honorable Nydia M. Velázquez
Press Event for Councilman Alan Gerson on the Tenant Empowerment Act

October 28, 2004

Good afternoon. As we all know, empowering New York City residents with the ability to purchase their own home is a vital concern for our community. With skyrocketing housing costs, and an escalating demand, the ability of our residents to access affordable housing options becomes increasingly more difficult.

It is quite obvious that our city is facing a housing crisis today! With high unemployment rates, and a struggling economy, families across this community are trying to make ends meet and to secure safe, affordable housing. One out of every four New York City renters - over half a million families - spend more than one-half of their income on rent.

The waiting list for an apartment in public housing is eight years long - and the list has been closed for 10 years. The affects of these shortages are most apparent in minority neighborhoods, where families with 3 to 4 children are forced to live in overcrowded, unsafe one bedroom apartments.

This housing crisis needs to be addressed. As the senior Member and the only New Yorker on the Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee, I am working to remove the barriers that are preventing our city's tenants from achieving homeownership - this has been a major focus of my 10 years of service in Congress.

We must be committed to preserving our homes as affordable housing. By helping these residents to purchase homes we are enabling them to remain in their neighborhood, and are preventing them from having to uproot their lives altogether.

The primary federal tool that ensures the availability of affordable housing, and that residents are able to remain in their communities is the Section 8 program. However, the President has attempted time and time again to gut this vital program. Due to the strong opposition raised by Congressional Democrats and local housing advocates, we were successful in forcing HUD to abandon this plan. Unfortunately, the program remains under constant attack from the Bush administration - despite the growing waiting list for Section 8 assistance.

If President Bush is re-elected, there is a real threat that assistance under the Section 8 program will be significantly reduced or eliminated all together. This will create a void for many residents struggling to survive in a skyrocketing housing market. Since Republicans clearly aren't willing to support programs such as Section 8, we must now look at other options!

Councilman Gerson's bill would help to fill this gap. Right of first refusal legislation has been adopted in several cities across the country, including Washington, D.C. This legislation can help preserve affordable housing for families right here in New York City.

In order to offset the housing challenges our city faces, we must fight together. This is a step in the right direction towards keeping our city's residents right here! After all, the backbone of our community is the families that live here. We cannot stand back and allow them to be forced to leave because affordable housing options are no longer available. Here is a solution that can keep New Yorkers right here, while preserving affordable living options and our city's livelihood.