About myself, and the need for NY affordable housing.

I have lived in New York City since July 27th 1997. I first lived in South Brooklyn. I lived in the northern part of Williamsburg from December 30th 1997 till February 13th, year 2000 when I moved to the Lower East Side. I know from 1st hand experience, the need for a increased availability of affordable housing. First I lived in 2 illegal basement apartments in South Brooklyn, till I moved to the northern part of Williamsburg.

I experienced getting sick from mold, sleeping right below water pipes, and having the boiler practically as my roommate. I went through extreme horror from my 2nd landlord, who proceeded to go through my stuff, things missing. Because I talked up, the next morning I waswaked up with him, a street gang type threatening me.

I moved out the next day. The 3rd place was better. The landlord was a friend of mine. Only trouble, the building had been condemned. I paid 800 a month to stay there. Was told, as long as the City does not take any additional steps, I could stay there. He worked on it some, over the time I was there. Very little heat or hot water, as the boiler barely worked. December of 1999 he told me to move, because he wanted to start making major renovations on it. I then moved to the Lower East Side February 13th, 2000.

The place on the lower East side was very small. a building illegal by today's standards, due to the space constraints. It proved to be more illegal, as landlords wrong doing was uncovered. He made a illegal conversion taking out the lobby, made illegal rooms on the 2nd floor. A SRO is required to have a lobby.

Essentially my who tenancy there was living, in a illegal occupancy. I was paying 510 a month. I found out in February 20th 2001, I was overcharged by 3,500, as I realized the building was rent stabilized, and after a check with DHCR at 25 Beaver Street. Landlord refused to comply with the law. As a result, refused to accept the legal rent.

There was frequent 5 day periods of no hot water. Housing lawyer was assigned to me. I passed out flyers to everyone to arrange a emergency meeting. I became the Tenant Activist there. Was voted in as Vice President of our tenants association. I was one of 2 people coordinating our moves with the lawyer. Building had no certificate of occupany. This resulted in his eviction attempts being overthrown. Constant harassment over the 11 years living there. For my role in organizing everyone there, a sign with a red hand print was put under my door. The building was full of mold. I suspect had asbestos, after seeing what I believed to be asbestos tiles in the hallway. We kept quiet, afraid of condemnation by the City, and being put to the streets.

The building was very dusty, which I suspect was from it never being cleaned after 911, and asbestos. After collapse of the twin tower, Bowery street was the main traveled route of emergency vehicles covered with WTC debris on them. Result was our block being engulfed with asbestos dust filled clouds, after each pass by. This I blame for sinuses that never went away, the whole time I lived there. Once I moved out, this condition went away.

The building was full of mold, which I blame, for other health problems during my time there, constant lack of energy. These conditions also went away once out of there. Landlord tried to get us out by doing rate sneaking at DHCR, trying to take advantage of Vacancy Decontrol. Luckily we found out about it, New York State Supreme Court Judge Freedman, she ordered illegal rates to be taken out, rightful rates to be put in. If this case would not of been done in 3 years, landlord would of won. This shows some of the harassment done by landlords.

The need for stronger rent control laws. Vacancy Decontrol, Luxury Decontrol, Personal use evictions need to be overthrown. Assembly woman Linda Rosenthal drew legislation to abolish Vacancy Decontrol. It won in the New York State Assembly. Died in the New York State Senate. New York State Senate Districts have to be redrawn, so New York City sees a gain of seats. New York City with almost 50% of the population, in New York State deserves more clout, when it comes to affairs that effect us.

Even though New York City sends the most to Albany. New York City almost always gets the shaft, when it comes to State to City, MTA aid. More often then not New York Cities aid gets cut, even though New York City currently sends more money to Albany, then it gets back. This has to be changed. Mayor Bloomberg needs to start openly defending, and trying to get stronger rent stabilization laws. Start delivering on his promises of creating affordable housing.