Meeting on Housing in the Bronx, NY

NY State Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene chaired a panel of experts, in late October, at the Andrew Freedman Home, at 1125 Grand Concourse. Several hundred people attended to hear about issues like the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the Mayor’s plan to expand housing, at various workshops. Dealing with housing issues can be bewildering with the large number of government and private non-profit agencies involved. Problems range from how to buy a new home, to getting heat and hot water, to avoiding foreclosure.

Mr. Greg Fewer spoke for the Department of Housing and Community Renewal, DHCR, on the basics that people have to know about apartments, such as, are they rent-stabilized units? Especially at the time of renewal of leases, people can file a complaint against high rents, a “Rent Overcharge Complaint.” Other complaints that can be made at any time include, about getting enough heat, and fixing something that is broken. Mr. Fewer had a supply of complaint forms available. For forms and other information, log on to http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/ or call 1-866-ASK-DCHR, (866-2753427). Mr. Fewer has heard many complaints about sub-prime mortgages and is forwarding complaints to the Banking Department of the NY State Attorney. Obviously, the issue of foreclosures and fraudulent subprime mortgages was on the panel as well as the onlookers' minds.

Mr. Kenneth Small was on the panel, representing the CAB (Citizen’s Advice Bureau). His organization at 1130 Grand Concourse, maintains a “Home Base” program, to help tenants get out of homeless shelters. Ms. Katie Bukofzer represented the NYC HPD (Housing Preservation and Development). She was asked about the level of income needed to get subsidized apartments, which can be too high for families that are homeless or on the brink of homelessness. She answered that to provide more and larger subsidies for rent and owning apartments, she needs more funding. Randy Quezada, of the Department of Homeless Services received complaints in the question period, that many people feel they are not treated properly by his agency. He spoke about the case workers who get burned out from not having the resources to solve many homelessness problems. The Mothers on the Move representative spoke about their organizing to maintain Public Housing Units. They and the Environmental Justice Committee can be reached at 718-842-2224.