PEP, May 2007: Rally for housing funds

Fighting to save public housing, DC 37 officials and members of Clerical-Administrative Local 1549’s Political Action Committee rallied in Albany March 20 with over 4,000 New York City Housing Authority residents.

“United we stand, divided we’re homeless,” chanted the activists.

They urged lawmakers to oppose the extreme Moving to Work plan and to close the $168 million annual deficit that is crippling public housing.

The Moving to Work plan would waive most of the rules that protect public housing residents, and it would let NYCHA raise rents, put time limits on leases and demolish or sell off public housing projects.

More than 500,000 people live in public housing, which is a major source of affordable housing for the city’s poor, disabled and elderly. The city ranks second in the nation for such families living below the poverty line. For more than 20 years rumors have circulated that public housing projects — especially in Manhattan and on the Brooklyn waterfront — would be privatized.

“The Moving to Work plan would open the door to privatizing,” said Carmen Flores, a member of Local 1549.

“We want the state to close the budget gap and include residents on the NYCHA board, and we want the Legislature and Governor Spitzer to support legislation to increase the federal public housing budget,” Flores said.

Over the last 10 years the city and state have cut support for public housing, forcing increases in rents and repair charges and “putting the burden of maintenance and upkeep on residents’ backs,” Flores contended.

“Time is running out,” she added. “We are asking people, community organizations and politicians to get involved and see the urgency of this affordable-housing crisis.”

District Council 37 is busing members to Washington on Tuesday, May 15, for a rally to save public housing. Buses leave at 5:30 a.m. promptly. For more information, please contact the DC 37 Political Action Dept. at 212-815-1550.

— DSW