Queens Gazette

Letters to the Editor


No Trust

To The Editor:

If we have learned anything, it is that NYCHA and its political allies in govern­ment cannot be trusted to look out for those who live in the only truly afford­able housing in the city. Developments regarding plans to rehabilitate the NYCHA system using RAD (Rental As­sistance Demonstration), PACT, The Blueprint, rebranded and renamed as the Preservation Trust, and most notably, the effort to change it from Section 9 to Sec­tion 8 are highly suspect. All of these plans move NYCHA ever closer into the private sector where it will likely suffer a certain death of its status as a public en­tity designed to serve a public need.

Mismanagement and a record of poor accountability are hallmarks of a system that has been in decline due to a shift in political will, decreases in public funding and promotion of a negative public image that has shaped a pervasive disregard for the well-being of residents. Successive mayors have used public housing as a pawn in their plans to promote different aspects of their agenda. Finally, public housing has neglected its role in orienting new residents in the rules of conduct and responsibility that promote mutual re­spect and uphold a decent standard of liv­ing for all. Loud music, vandalism, drugs, garbage disposal, heat and hot water problems are poorly addressed leading to apathy and a decaying quality of life due to lack of enforcement of rules that are posted everywhere.

Although WPIX 11 has described NYCHA as the “City’s worst landlord,” evidence supports that it is still better than private management because of the fact that Section 9 gives residents some rights and protections that are eroded or eliminated by the plans that would shift to Section 8 and market rate rents. It is reported that thousands of NYCHA units have already been converted to private management and, in particular instances, evictions have subsequently increased. It is certain that residents will lose any no­tion of accountability that is ensured under Section 9. The Blueprint and Preservation Trust use a debt model fo­cused on units and property without re­gard for sustaining stable housing for the city’s residents who rely on affordable housing.

Public Housing matters because com­munities and working class individuals who support this city with tax revenue and their labor matter. It is time for elected representatives to show up for people in need, not the high profile pri­vate sector real estate interests that use money to buy influence and considera­tion for their profit-driven plans. By sign­ing off on the Preservation Trust, our city and state leaders are looking the other way when they urgently need to dig into the implications of what we can presume will follow in terms of major displace­ment. I foresee the creation of a new class of domestic refugees who will be shuttled around without regard for their stability or well-being. Housing is a crisis in the city of New York and those living in NYCHA are facing the highest level of risk. NYCHA residents need the rent con­trols that are rapidly fading. Instead of the state and the city working with the fed­eral government and HUD to fully fund public housing, the approach is akin to dumping a problem that was created through neglect, throwing residents to the wolves who are currently dressed in sheep’s clothing and characterized as the saviors of a failing system. Our commu­nities are being impacted by the greed and poor representation by elected offi­cials affecting renters and homeowners alike.

NYCHA residents have been neigh­bors in our communities for years along with homeowners and small businesses, and although we are all at-risk, the profile of NYCHA residents suggests that we are undesirables and non-voters. I believe that it is time to unite for change across the community because they are coming for us all. I am not an alarmist, but I can clearly see the writing on the wall. Hous­ing costs, across the board, continue to go up along with the cost of living. Democ­racy itself is at risk and the next major election will be an important battle­ground for determining if we can reclaim a commitment to being a land where we prioritize people over power and profit. A housing advocate described the NYCHA plans as “putting our homes on auction.” Allowing this to happen signals a growing trend of selling off our com­munities and our country to those looking to make a deal. It is time to stand together to declare that our homes, communities, country and democracy are not for sale.

Dr. Sharon M. Cadiz
Astoria

Open Subway Bathrooms

To The Editor:

NYC Transit President Richard Davey’s announcement that his agency has reopened nine more subway station bathrooms on top of the seven last year was disappointing. Riders can only ac­cess them between 7 AM and 7 PM, they will be closed between 7 PM and 7 AM. NYC is a 24/7 town, just like the subway system. This still leaves us with a full bladder and no place to go during those hours and all day long at 455 of the other 472 subway stations that are still closed or never had bathrooms.

In June 2021, the previous NYC Tran­sit President Sarah Feinberg said she would like to reopen all closed subway station bathrooms as quickly as possible. Why 19 months later are we still waiting? When will the MTA & NYC Transit make the budget and give detailed schedules for reopening all current bathrooms closed as a result of COVID-19?

There are 130 existing bathrooms at 70 of 472 subway stations. Reopening secure, safe bathrooms with adequate supplies of toilet paper, soap and hot water would be one way to attract two million former pre-COVID-19 riders who have yet to return. Access to a public restroom is a basic human right.

Bringing more subway stations into compliance with the Americans with Dis­abilities Act should also include construc­tion of restroom facilities at those stations lacking such amenities. The MTA will be eligible for $1.8 billion in funding from the Federal Transit Administration in 2023. Why doesn’t the MTA add function­ing restrooms to the NYC Transit Capital Program? Use federal funds to pay for these improvements. Coordinate the scheduling of bathroom cleaning with as­signment of police who patrol stations. They can provide employees with a level of comfort when cleaning. You could also hire a private sector company to maintain and clean bathrooms. Offer the private sector the ability to adopt a station bath­room in exchange for free station adver­tising. Do the same with companies that provide bathroom cleaning products and supplies.

Hundreds of MTA HQ employees at 2 Broadway along with many of the thou­sands of NYC Transit employees have ac­cess to clean safe restroom facilities 24/7. Paying customers and 100% of NYC Transit employees deserve no less.

Larry Penner
Great Neck

Santos Should Resign

To The Editor:

George Santos should resign from Congress immediately! He fudged every­thing about himself, and that was dis­graceful. If he had done this in the business world, he would have been ter­minated from his job immediately. The American people need honest, sincere politicians representing them and their in­terests in Washington DC. It’s time for honesty and truthfulness from those in Congress!

John Amato
Fresh Meadows

Prices Are Too High

To The Editor:

As most of us know, we are in a period of inflation. According to the dictionary, “Inflation is an excessive or persistent in­crease in the general price of goods and services and as a result it causes a decline of purchasing power.” Well in my book, the prices are too high! Overall, inflation is up by 13.7% since President Biden took office. In December, food prices rose to 10.7%. This is hurting many American families. It is also hurting many senior cit­izens who must make a choice between buying food or cutting back on their med­icines or paying housing costs. I am a sen­ior citizen of 73 years old, and understand that only too well. I went to the supermar­ket today, like I do every Saturday for my wife and myself. Two years ago our food budget would average $80 dollars a week. Now I’m paying between $120-$130 a week for the same food items (that’s at least 50% higher). We are on a fixed in­come and have to cut out some things. I’m asking President Biden and Congress to do something, and that includes Mayor Adams and our local government repre­sentatives to do something now! You see the prices are too damn high!

Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Bellerose

Libraries Are Crucial

To The Editor:

I am glad that the strike that had nurses on the picket line is over and they are now taking care of patients. I am appalled that Pfizer and Moderna plan to raise their prices for their vaccinations. I am glad that the Covid-19 public health emergency act has been continued and that means that Medicaid and the cost of vaccinations will be paid by the government.

Thousands of people have been victims of drug overdoses.

Do not close or limit services to li­braries, Mr. Mayor. Libraries do not only provide books and encourage literacy, they provide programs in ESL, readiness for jobs, programs for teenagers and chil­dren, cartridges and recordings of books for the blind, Braille books and magazines for the blind, and a safe haven. Libraries are wonderful and think of all the other services that need to be limited before you limit libraries or cut down or G-d forbid, close them!

Inflation is still high. I applaud Rep. Meng, and may she continue to bring her knowledge, kindness, and interest to her constituents she serves in Queens. I also applaud, of course, Senator Schumer, and former Rep. Maloney for giving $2M to the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

Cynthia Groopman
Little Neck

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