MSCC Homeless and Housing Meeting For Aug 4, 2026: Public Housing & Those Who Live There; Assemblymember Candidate Christina Fontanelli

August 4, 2026 | Events

MSCC, John Mudd, Event Date: Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026, Time: 9:30 am-11:00 am, ZOOM.US

SUMMARY

Public housing and the residents are not far from our minds. Christina Fontanelli is running on the independent ticket against Assembly-member Tony Simone. The final dissolution of MainChance, nonprofit devoted to serving people who are unhoused. What’s happening with the No More 24!

CHAIR: John Mudd

WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS

We appreciate all suggestions to help us run this meeting proficiently.

  • Housekeeping (Zoom protocols) copying chat, muting, etc.
    • Signing in: Please sign in with your name and organization
  • Please email subject and speaker suggestions by the 15th of each month
  • Items to Triage: To give time to pressing topics, please forward items at least 24 hours prior to meetings
  • Introductions, welcoming new and old members (keeping it short and sweet)
  • Need someone to summarize actions and followup

PURPOSE

The Homeless and Housing members, attendees, and speakers share knowledge, ideas, and resources to identify problems and find solutions to the homeless, housing, and health 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 (see Addendum A for more).

2 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

  • Need Board and committee members (funding & Finance, Street Sheets) 
  • Elected officials/agencies—updates
  • Alex Yong, WSNA NYC, RTC, Member of the End Apartment Warehousing Coalition, MSCC
  • The Rob Robinson report
  • Public Housing: We are still fighting in the streets and in the courts. Follow the breadcrumbs and see our trajectory of the fight to save public housing (see ADDENDUM C) 
  • Stock Transfer Act Updates
  • Others & new attending members?

 5 min

MAMDANI’S PROPOSED PLAN FOR NYCHA

Public housing across our city and nation are under attack. Private developers (Related) want to take over the largest stock of affordable housing, end Section 9, and demolishing Chelsea campuses for huge gains. And Mamdani supports the developers efforts. Councilman Chris Banks, chair of the Public Housing Committee, has continually stood up for the tenants of Public Housing. Read CM Banks’ recent statement on Mamdani’s plan for NYCHA.

NYCHA/Related effort to remove seniors from their housing was cruel and unrelenting, until Attorney John Low-Beer secured a TRO, Temporary Restraining Order against NYCHA from pursuing any action furthering their demolition plan. For more on the legal matters see the recent WBAI Michael Haskins Living For The city interview with MSCC, John Low-Beer Wednesday, May 27, 2026 Segment

Speakers: Councilman Chris Banks and Attorney John Low-Beer

30 min

HOW DID HOPE 6 HOUSING — Held over

John Massengale, American Institute Of Architects, AIA, Congress Fo New Urbanism, CNU NYC, Specializes In Green Building, Classical, and Traditional Design housing policies and development plans.

ECONOMIC SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC NEEDS — Held Over

James S. Henry, economist and advocate for the Stock Transfer Tax legislation. The legislation needs widespread support. The Stock Transfer Tax Bill (a1494a/s1237)

Speaker: James S. Henry, economist and advocate

2 min

PUBLIC CONCERNS

  • Immediate needs?

ACTIONS

  • Summary
  • Additional Requests

2 min

ANNOUNCEMENTS / EVENTS

  • Additional announcements from new attendees, committee members, elected officials, others 
  • Last words?

2 min

DEVELOPING INITIATIVES & PROGRAMS

  • Hurt Committee
  • Objectives/Mission/Vision: MSCC is busily restructuring to become more effective in accomplishing its goals and making plans for the coming new year to complete their:
    • Mission: Midtown South Community Council strives to dismantle the causes of homelessness by building an equitable, just, and sustainable social infrastructure to ensure dignity, health, and home for all. 
    • Vision: Midtown South Community Council envisions a city where homelessness and poverty are eradicated
  • Committees: Managing our overwhelming tasks together with our intersecting network. If anyone wants to be involved with building committees to serve programs and projects of mutual interests (Housing, Urban Farming, Education & Awareness, healthcare, incarceration, workshops, health access, Home Improvement, communications/social media messaging, Midtown Street Sheets…), please let us know
  • Street Sheets

2min

AOB

  • Topic & Speaker Suggests:
      • S9650 / A 659 Original sponsor was Brad Hoylman-Sigal. Liz Krueger is the new sponsor. The bill doesn’t *end* the affordability doomsdays — it penalizes landlords who lie about rent expirations
      • Marquis Jenkins discusses public housing with members from Riis Houses, Ladan from Glendale Housing in Minneapolis — This discussion was on May 6, 2025. Further discussion is needed. 
      • Discussion with Andre P, about his Post Feb 4, 2025 Homeless and Housing Meeting Comments
      • Illusion of Choice: How Source of Income Discrimination and Voucher Policies Perpetuate Housing Inequality, UnlockNYC — Done!
      • Department of Building’s Office of Tenant Advocate (OTA) advocates for tenant against obtrusive or illegal construction within multi unit residential buildings. Speaker(s): Rakell Washington & Ana Pluchinatta
      • Charisma White (MSCC), what does deeply affordable housing mean
      • Network marketing and communications committee (suggestion)
      • Prison to shelter and back again
      • Policing the problem away; 50% of the Riker’s Island jail population are mentally ill
  • Speaker Suggestions: All suggestions are welcomed
  • New Members: Thank you for joining, feel free to tell us your needs, schedule a presentation, and connect with anyone within this network
  • NEXT Meeting Homeless and Housing Meeting: 9:30 AM Tuesday, June 7, 2026
      • Always the 1st Tuesday of every month

2 min

Contact hello@midtownsouthcc.org or john.mudd@usa.net for more information and Zoom invitations.

ADDENDUM A: PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

Make NYC a better place –
sign up for our newsletter!