MSCC, John Mudd, Posted Date: January 28, 2025, Event Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025, Time: 9:30 am-11:00 am, Location: ZOOM.US
SUMMARY
We’re discussing criminalization of the poor with Activist and Educator Rob Robinson and human Rights Advocate Norman Siegel; and what’s wrong with our development policies, and Schermerhorn, Brooklyn supportive housing project with Architect and City Planner Damu Radheshwar.
CHAIR: John Mudd
WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS
We appreciate all suggestions to help us run this meeting proficiently.
PURPOSE
The Homeless and Housing members, attendees, and speakers share knowledge, ideas, and resources to identify problems and find solutions to the homeless and housing crisis.
5 min
POLICY MEETING UPDATES
The prior 8:30 Homeless and Housing Policy meeting wrap-up as presented by attending members.
0 min
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
Council’s progress report on actions and initiatives.
3 min
SPECIAL INTRODUCTION(S) AND OR UPDATES:
The below list of intros and updates should be brief; everyone is welcomed to present for a lengthier discussion at a planned date
5 min
CRIMINALIZATION OF THE POOR
Summarization
Speaker: Rob Robinson, regular guest lecturer at the City University of New York Graduate Center and University Law Schools throughout the US and Canada; adjunct professor of Urbanism at New School
Speaker: Norman Siegel, long time human rights lawyer, advocate for the unhoused
45 min
AFFORDABLE HOUSING & THE SCHERMERHORN SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PLAN
The affordable crisis is taking us to new depths, we’re being overwhelmed by a multitude of plans that barely scratches the surface of our housing and security crisis, and by extension the stability of this nation.
Speaker: Damu Radheshwar, Architect, Urban Planner, and strategist
30 min
PUBLIC CONCERNS
5 min
ACTIONS
2 min
ANNOUNCEMENTS / EVENTS
2 min
DEVELOPING INITIATIVES & PROGRAMS
2min
AOB
2 min
Contact hello@midtownsouthcc.org or john.mudd@usa.net for more information and Zoom invitations.
ADDENDUM A: SPEAKER PROPOSAL
D R a d h e s h w a r Damyanti Radheshwar FIIA AIA LEED AP
Damu@DRadheshwar.com
www.dradheshwar.com
Architect + Urban Planner and Strategist
November 22, 2019
NYCHA Housing – a Pilot Program for Self-Management: An Abstract
Stakeholders: NYCHA Resident Tenants, Tenants Unions and Community Advocates
Ownership Structure: NYCHA, HPD, and NYC and NYS Agencies
Planning – Analysis and Recommendations
In my submission for the Loeb Fellowship a couple of years ago, I proposed a pilot plan for ‘self-management’ that
empowers residents to assume responsibilities through training, advocacy, and using available economic resources.
NYCHA Physical Need Assessment
Capital Need Categories
Housing Deficiencies
Capital Needs
Capital Funding Sources
Capital Commitment
Intention:
• NYCHA residents select a building to run the pilot program.
• Create a pilot program for residents’ self-management by offering them training in property management
and allocating funds typically budgeted by NYCHA for that specific property. Provide financing for physical
needs assessments, address deficiencies, implement necessary capital improvements, manage HAZMAT
mitigation, ensure code compliance for life safety and the environment, and carry out essential significant
repairs.
• Through participatory planning and budgeting, the stakeholder community will establish and prioritize the
specifications for a baseline level of well-built and well-maintained interior and exterior spaces to improve
conditions. The minimum standard for residential occupancy specified by the New York State Multiple
Dwelling Code will be met and exceeded.
• Support equitable social and economic opportunities for the residents in a democratically operated
cooperative arrangement.
• The concept of “towers in the park,” based on Le Corbusier’s proposed master plan for Paris, has not
succeeded in New York and other cities across the USA. In Paris, people prefer walkable streets that foster
social and commercial activities like shopping, dining, and cafés, creating economic opportunities for the
community. At night, the deserted sidewalks around NYCHA projects often evoke a sense of insecurity. A
focus on activating the streets could be integrated into the pilot program. This can be achieved through
small shops, farmers markets, and arts and crafts initiatives run by the residents, revitalizing the streetscape
and generating creative economic prospects. The value created can then be used to enhance the pilot
program further.
• Measure the program’s impact every 2-5 years. If it is deemed successful, build capacity for the other
properties in the NYCHA system.
D R a d h e s h w a r Architect + Urban Planner and Strategist
Resources
• NYC Community Land Trust wants to “Go Big” partner with NYC Community Initiative (NYCCLI)
• NYC and NYS Economic Development Corporations
• Neighborhood Planning Playbook
• Research examples in other cities, e.g., Dudley Street in Boston
• The RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration for NYCHA?
Funding Resources:
• Leverage funding: NYCHA budget allocated for maintenance, federal resources, Low-Income Housing Tax
Credit (LIHTC), Private Activity Bonds, etc.
• Private sponsorship to partially or fully support the pilot program
• Other resources to be explored
Tools:
• Alternate Options ownership/rental
• Down payment assistance/ Incentives
• Upgrade aging boiler systems
• The Housing Plan: At Work In Your Neighborhood
• In May 2014, Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled Housing New York: A Five-Borough, Ten-Year Plan to
create and preserve 200,000 high-quality, affordable homes over ten years.
• In January 2020, the Administration launched YOUR Home NYC, the next phase of Housing New York.
Through YOUR Home NYC, we are strengthening our efforts to build and preserve affordable housing, create
neighborhood wealth, and protect renters.
• Mitchell-Lama Reinvestment Program – help aging Mitchell-Lamas stay affordable
• HomeFix Housing provides financial assistance to low-income homeowners to make repairs and keep their
homes healthy and safe.
• Advance the growth of Community Land Trusts (CLTs) by working with Enterprise Community Partners to
secure funding for emerging and existing land trusts dedicated to preserving and creating affordable
housing in neighborhoods they know best.
• Tenant Union
• Capacity building
• Leverage funding: federal resource
• RADS
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
• Private Activity Bonds
• EDC and HPD
• Conditions Assessment, Participatory planning, and budgeting
• Explore Economic and Entrepreneurial opportunities in creative ways
ADDENDUM B: SPEAKER PROPOSAL
More New Yorkers will qualify for $100K down-payment assistance after program expansion