Public Employee Press

Political Action 2007
DC 37 fights federal cuts to NYCHA

As part of a national campaign to preserve public housing and protect members’ jobs and homes, DC 37 members have sent more than 1,600 letters to Congress to call attention to federal budget and policy problems affecting public housing agencies such as the New York City Housing Authority.

DC 37’s national union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, is spearheading the call for Congress to enact sensible policies and adequate funding so PHAs can operate and modernize public housing, explained DC 37 Political Director Wanda Williams.

More than 15,000 DC 37 members live in public housing and 3,000 members work for NYCHA. Nationally, public housing provides affordable rental units for about 1.1 million people, many of whom are elderly and the disabled.

Many housing projects were built more than a half-century ago to meet escalating housing needs after World War II. But today they have fallen into disrepair and are being squeezed between skyrocketing operating costs and stagnant federal funding.

The Bush Administration wants to pass these costs on to the residents, who are already struggling to make ends meet.

By supporting the HR5576 bill, the DC 37 members’ letters ask Congress to extend the deadline for PHAs to comply with the tough new management system of the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, retain flexible use of the Public Housing Capital Fund, and infuse $283 million into this year’s budget to offset PHA utility costs.

— DSW