Page 14 - The Indian EYE 121523

COMMUNITY OP-ED DECEMBER 15, 2023 | The Indian Eye 14

Safe and affordable housing:

NYCHA Residents Make

History in the City

Our administration was the first to include NYCHA in our housing plan, recognizing that the federal government had
abandoned its responsibility to adequately fund our public housing system, leaving residents living in unacceptable and
dangerous conditions in crumbling buildings that need $80 billion in repairs

ERIC ADAMS

ccess to safe and affordable
housing is one of the keys to
Aprosperity. I understand that
just as much as anyone else. As a
child, I grew up on the edge of home-
lessness. There were days when I had Last month, the residents of NYCHA’s Nostrand Houses became the first development to vote on how they will fund much-needed renovations
to take a trash bag full of clothes to and repairs (File photo)
school because we didn’t know where
we would sleep the next night. No
child should have to feel the angst or plan, recognizing that the federal which similarly ensures that residents cades to come. NYCHA residents
worry my siblings and I felt when we government had abandoned its re- maintain their rights and permanent- are now making their voices heard
were younger. You cannot plan for sponsibility to adequately fund our ly affordable rent, but unlocks fund- and making their own choices. That
the future if you are worried about the public housing system, leaving res- ing for third-party PACT partners to is how good government should
present, and that’s why our admin- idents living in unacceptable and complete comprehensive repairs. work — and this is just the beginning.
istration has acted urgently to tack- dangerous conditions in crumbling Last month, the residents of Next up is the Bronx River Addition,
le the housing crisis across our city, buildings that need $80 billion in NYCHA’s Nostrand Houses be- which has dealt with several severe
especially for New York City Hous- repairs. We knew the status quo came the first development to vote infrastructure issues in recent years
ing Authority (NYCHA) residents. could not continue. That is why we on how they will fund much-need- that caused tenants to be relocated
One in 17 New Yorkers live in fought to create the NYCHA Trust, a ed renovations and repairs. After in one of its two buildings. And in
NYCHA, our city’s public housing once-in-a-generation opportunity to 100 days of public engagement, in the coming weeks and months, other
system. It is a critical piece of our give residents control over their fu- which residents at Nostrand Hous- NYCHA campuses will vote as well.
city’s infrastructure, and we cannot tures while simultaneously unlocking es learned about their options, they As a blue-collar New Yorker, I
solve our housing shortage without billions for repairs by tapping new exercised the historic opportunity know what it takes to survive and
also fixing the problems that NYCHA federal funding streams. to decide what was right for them: thrive in this city. Safe and afford-
faces. But for too long, NYCHA res- Under the Trust, a development enter the Trust, enter the PACT able housing is the cornerstone to
idents have been left out of the con- is kept 100 percent public while en- program, or maintain the tradition- the American Dream. By fixing NY-
versation and have not had a say in suring residents always maintain al public housing financing model. CHA housing and putting decisions
the future of their own homes. That their rights — including permanently Their decision, and the deci- into residents’ hands, we are on track
is changing under this administration. affordable rent. Another choice is sions of other NYCHA residents to to turn that dream into a reality.
Our administration was the first the Permanent Affordability Com- come, will shape the future of pub- Eric Adams is
to include NYCHA in our housing mitment Together (PACT) program, lic housing in New York City for de- the Mayor of New York City, NY

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