Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer is calling on the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to halt the downsizing of the City’s most vulnerable Section 8 residents and convene a working group to find alternate cost-saving solutions.
The letter was signed by 26 elected officials and follows months of communication with HPD over Section 8 downsizing.
“Downsizing as it is currently being carried out affects mostly the elderly and those with physical and mental health needs,” the letter reads. It continues: “Now that we have a clearer understanding of HPD’s long-term sustainability plan and its current budgetary status until the end of 2015, we once again request HPD to place a hold on all downsizing resulting from the revised subsidy and payment standards. …
“During the time of the moratorium, we propose forming a working group to explore additional solutions for HPD to rebuild its reserves. From the April 9 hearing and your letter, it is clear that having a sufficient reserve is both a necessary and prudent decision. A working group would be an ideal mechanism for exploring ways to rebuild HPD’s reserves other than through downsizing.”
Categories: Housing
