The New York City Charter Revision Commission held a Bronx Public Input Session in the third-floor ballroom of Fordham’s McShane Campus Center on March 4 to hear testimonies specifically regarding the charter’s Land Use and Housing section. According to the New York City Charter Review Commission, the charter, “defines the organization, functions, and essential procedures and policies of our City government.”
When asked about the commission process, Chief of Staff Madeline Labadie noted that the meetings take place in all five boroughs to hear testimonies from members of each community. Labadie credited choosing Fordham as the meeting location due to its central location within the Bronx and the facilities available. Project Coordinator for Government Relations and Urban Affairs Casandra Gomez shared that the location was chosen so that Bronx community members could attend and speak on behalf of themselves and their community.
The first testimony, given by Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrión, noted the importance of ensuring all neighborhoods are appealing and accessible, as obstacles preventing fair housing are not just historical but remain present in the city. Carrión shared several statistics, including higher asthma rates and lower credit scores, that align with areas of the city with less affordable housing. Carrión highlighted the need for the council to keep housing obstacles at the forefront of their minds during this conversation.
Former City Council Member for District 13 Marjorie Velázquez shared a personal story of her time on the city council and her struggles with trying to address the city’s housing crisis. Velázquez noted that through her time trying to advocate and attain more affordable and accessible housing within her district, her efforts were met with death threats and even a need for a panic button to the New York Police Department installed in her house. Velázquez cited the “hate and venom laced with racism and misogyny” towards her stance on housing as causing her to step down from her seat on the city council.
Velázquez shared that to effectively use the power and tools within community boards, questions regarding whether the boards really represent the whole community must be asked and assessed.
President of Monadnock Development and housing podcaster Kirk Goodrich added to this by sharing that the process allows a single individual to disrupt the city’s affordable housing efforts. Goodrich also shared that increased job opportunities require equally increased housing and that he feels the city has given up on the latter half.
The revision process is ongoing.
