File #: Res 0394-2006    Version: * Name: Assist NYC in subsidizing the 21,000 non-federal housing units managed by the NYC Housing Authority.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Housing and Buildings
On agenda: 6/20/2006
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the State of New York to assist the City of New York in subsidizing the 21,000 non-federal housing units managed by the New York City Housing Authority.
Sponsors: Sara M. Gonzalez, Rosie Mendez, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Diana Reyna, Erik Martin Dilan, Alan J. Gerson, Robert Jackson
Council Member Sponsors: 7

Res. No. 394

 

Resolution calling upon the State of New York to assist the City of New York in subsidizing the 21,000 non-federal housing units managed by the New York City Housing Authority.

 

By Council Members Gonzalez, Mendez, Mark-Viverito, Reyna, Dilan, Gerson and Jackson

 

Whereas, There is currently a severe affordable housing shortage in the City of New York; and

Whereas, The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is a public housing agency (PHA) organized and funded primarily through federal and state programs; and

Whereas, The requirements for income eligibility and admission preferences for PHA’s are based on federal and state law; and

                     Whereas, NYCHA is facing a budget deficit of $168 million as a direct result of reductions in federal funding; and                     

Whereas, The reduction in federal funding has forced NYCHA to reallocate its existing resources; and

Whereas, According to NYCHA 21,000 housing units were built by New York City and New York State and thus are not subsidized through Federal funding; and 

Whereas, NYCHA has developed a Plan to Preserve Public Housing to address this budget deficit that includes an infusion of New York City funding, significant rent increases for more than 25% of NYCHA’s tenants and increases in many of its fees, such as those for washing machines and parking; and

Whereas, According to NYCHA’s Plan to Preserve Affordable Housing, the Federal Section 8 subsidy program will be used to cover the unsubsidized units; and

Whereas, The current Section 8 voucher waiting list is currently closed at 125,000 families; and

Whereas, According to Section 960.206 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, NYCHA has the authority to “adopt a system of local preferences for selection of families admitted to the PHA’s public housing program;” and

Whereas, Such admission preferences must be based on local housing needs and determined by the PHA after a period of public comment and consultation with the resident advisory board of the PHA and then submitted within the PHA’s annual or five year plan, whichever is applicable, to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, which then must approve or disapprove the plan; and

Whereas, Local housing needs include the need for affordable public housing; and 

Whereas, The State has an obligation to ensure that affordable housing is available to its residents and contribute financially to accomplish this; and

Whereas, A significant increase in State funding for NYCHA would reduce, or potentially eliminate, the need for rent and fee increases and recourse to the Section 8 program when there are so many families on the current waiting list, now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the State of New York to assist the City of New York in subsidizing the 21,000 non-federal housing units managed by the New York City Housing Authority.

 

BJG

LS # 1156