Affordable housing hotel conversion bill passes

4 Hotels by Suthpin Blvd, Jamaica (JQ LLC)

 

 

QNS

With the legislative session winding down in Albany, state Senator Michael Gianaris passed his Housing our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA) in the upper chamber Wednesday, June 9.

The legislation will allow the state to finance the purchase and conversion of distressed hotels and vacant commercial office space into permanent affordable housing by nonprofit organizations to ensure every New Yorker has access to a safe and affordable place to live.

Gianaris noted that $100 million was included in the state budget in April to fund such conversions under HONDA.

“New York has seen a decades-long affordable housing crunch exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic devastation,” Gianaris said. “This legislation is a good way to tackle the dual problems of distressed properties and lack of affordable housing. I am thrilled that this passed, and that we have a funded program that will provide real relief going forward.”

Under the legislation, new affordable housing must be made available to low-income households, and people who were previously homeless. At least 50 percent of the units will be set aside for individuals who experienced homelessness immediately prior to applying for converted units.

The legislation passed in the Assembly Thursday, June 10. Jackson Heights Jessica González-Rojas Assemblywoman co-sponsored the measure. (Let's see how fast this works-JQ LLC)

Jackson Heights fire victims about to be kicked to the curb

So where are the elected officials who represent this area? Out on the campaign trail pimping for progressive candidates instead of helping their constituents? I can't help but notice the absence of Danny Dromm in this piece. Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas gets a temporary pass because she's in Albany. Jessica Ramos showed up and said she was heartbroken but that's about it. How about tapping into Mutual Aid and BLM funds? After all, all that money was raised "for the community!" (/end sarcasm)

JQ LLC: Danny Dromm has been more concerned with turning the avenue that charred building is on into a "linear park". Even after the inferno displaced hundreds of tenants.

Also absent in de Blasio's HPD's sadistic treatment of these people is his buddy and upper class Windsor Terrace neighbor Stephen Banks of the Department of Social Services, which is still using hotels to shelter people who are mentally ill or just came out of prison, but for some reason the D.S.S. doesn't seem to think hotels cannot be utilized for people who have been disenfranchised from their homes and community by fire.