Affordable Housing Crisis Community Meeting

“Affordable Housing Now!” was the cry on Thursday, January 15, at the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Ft. Greene where Senator Velmanette Montgomery had called a Community Meeting with local and city officials, housing advocates, and several hundred local residents. “This year all the important rent laws and  many of the affordability stimulus programs are up for renewal,” Senator Montgomery explained. “Our people have to make their voices heard if we’re going to be sure of passing these bills, and that’s just trying to barely keep our heads above water on this issue!”
Speakers included Borough President Eric L. Adams who spoke of the need for people to pull together, and NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer who explained the conclusions of his office’s newest report:  “The Growing Gap: New York City’s Housing Affordability Challenge.”
Housing Advocates shared war stories of entire neighborhoods undergoing instant gentrification but everyone came back to the need for people working together to maintain a shrinking housing stock for long time residents.
Senator Montgomery told the crowd that they should be ready to get on the bus for Albany and make their voices heard, most likely several times this session. “This is about all of us, and it’s going to take all of us. What we have to do is to all be SOME-bodies: Strategize, Optimize, Mobilize and Engage!”
 
Quotes
Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, 25th District
Affordable housing is an endangered species. Recently a lottery for one of 38 apartments in a newly constructed building was flooded with 70,000 applications! In this market it is absolutely necessary that we renew our current rent laws and develop new methods to preserve and expand our desperately scarce affordable housing options.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams
The affordable housing crisis in our borough can be conquered, with local leaders, advocates and tenants working together to get educated and engaged on the issues. Brooklyn is home to everyone to everywhere, and it must remain that way in an affordable, sustainable fashion. I appreciate all of the participants in this forum for helping us build momentum on this critical issue.
Assemblyman James Brennan,
44th Assembly District
In addition to renewing and strengthening the rent laws the State of New York needs to provide major additional resources, in the billions of dollars, to build or rehabilitate affordable housing in the City and the rest of the State.  This means both support for bonding to build new housing , and cash support for the low income population to help them rent apartments.
Assemblyman Karim Camara,
43rd Assembly District
We need to do everything we can to make sure our neighborhoods are affordable so long-time residents can continue to live where they call home. I’m especially concerned about seniors who can’t afford to have their rents doubled or tripled if their apartments are deregulated. The right thing for the Legislature to do this year is to not only protect tenants’ rights, but to actually strengthen them.
Assemblyman Walter Mosley
57th Assembly District
Affordable housing is an essential right that must be protected for all. Addressing this housing crisis requires a substantive conversation from all levels of government. Now is the time to map out the necessary steps towards change and ensuring an affordable housing stock for the next generation of New Yorkers.  I will continue to be a vocal advocate and active in the fight to address the housing needs in our community.
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, 52nd District
Throughout the 52nd Assembly District, people are being priced out of the neighborhoods they love, the neighborhoods in which they grew up, the neighborhoods where they have put down roots and where they hope to raise their families. More and better affordable housing options are critical.
NYC Councilmember Stephen Levin
33rd Council District
Affordable housing is crucial to our success as a city. We must all commit ourselves to making New York City a place where all New Yorkers can succeed and raise a family. Thank you to Senator Montgomery for organizing this important event.”
NYC Councilmember Laurie Cumbo
35th Council District
The sustainability of affordable housing in New York City relies on our ability as residents, elected officials, and housing advocates to work cohesively towards one goal – the preservation of laws that ensure the availability of housing units below market rate value. Through ongoing community discussions, we can identify the most effective strategies that will protect thousands of Brooklyn families from displacement due to skyrocketing rent.