BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
ECONOMIC/WATERFRONT/COMM. DEV. & HOUSING COMMITTEE
JUNE 18, 2012
ATTENDANCE:
PRESENT:
D.KUMMEER R. BASHNER N. BERK-RAUCH L. BUFFINGTON P. CARSON R. CERVONE N. COX J. FRANCIS R. LUFTGLASS
M. SILVERMAN L. SONES
EXCUSED:
P. BLAKE
ABSENT:
B. ATKINS M. DEPALMA E. FELDER A. FORNECKER G. O’CONNELL D. REISS
D. SCOTTO L. TOLKOFF
GUESTS:
K. BRENNAN A. KRASNOW
MINUTES
Town Hall Meeting on Public Housing for residents of Red Hook East and Red Hook West Houses. At this meeting residents of Red Hook East and Red Hook West Houses are invited to share their complaints, concerns and ideas for improving public housing so that the Community Board can be more effective advocates for them.
The meeting was opened by the Community Board Chairperson, Daniel Kummer and Richard Bashner, Chairperson for Community Development/Waterfront introduced himself.
Lydia Buffington of the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation introduced herself and gave contact information.
Resident’s session:
Zelma Martinez said that she has had no gas since 5/24. • NYCHA provided hot plates but they are unsafe. • Forced to buy food outside. • It started with a stove that exploded and more pipes broken during repairs.
Richard Bashner asked about time to repair? Who is the contact at NYCHA? A: Tavia Community – Residents have to be home. Columbia Street buildings didn’t pass inspection – more delays.
RB: Do walls have to be opened? Replacing all pipes.
TA President – new repairs will take less time. Residents complained about poor work and passing inspections. When they are told to be home for inspection but workers didn’t arrive.
RB: Can we find out status? A: Ms. Marshall will have to inquire.
RB recommends Ms. Marshall contact CB6.
Where can we get food assistance? Other agencies don’t acknowledge the problem.
RB asked who is supposed to inform the agencies? • Octavia Heywood, Manager • No response from electeds and government.
Rick Luftglass asked how many are affected? A: 114 families.
Lou Sones suggested contacting the Public Advocate.
RB asked if there were any other suggestions on this topic?
Rose Quintana - 467 Columbia - complained that her hot plate blew up. Has had 7 hot plates and told no more. People in the office don’t give information.
RB asked Leroy Branch, Assistant District Manager of CB6 to call Ms. Heywood for information. He also gave out the District Office phone number.
Dorothy Shields, President of Red Hook East Tenants Association said: • Ms. Heywood will see anyone who comes in. • Dorothy Shields will see anyone who comes in. • Claims some tenants are to blame for not getting assistance. • Counsels patience – feels Ms. Heywood is a good manager.
Lydia Buffington confirmed outage is on east side – committed to getting more info.
RB: When are tenant meetings? • 2nd Tuesday – RH West, 428 Columbia Street and RH East • 3rd Wednesday – 167 Bush Street • No meetings in July and August
LaShana Gooding of 465 Columbia Street said getting assistance is an ordeal. • Restaurant allowance – HRA takes hours. • Staff not in • Takes off work
M. Lassalle passed
Daniel Clay of 791 Hicks Street • Doesn’t listen to tenants leadership. • Wants to contribute to community
RB: When are Tenant Association elections? Every 3 years. RB: Noted that rules can be changed.
Ed Franco – 426 Columbia Street. • Feels that the projects are under martial law. • Police are targeting all.
RB: How many stopped and frisked? A: Many How many feel police behavior is appropriate? • Shoot out last week – wrong people being frisked • Lobby doors not locked • No lights at entrances
Daniel Kummer: How many people experienced gunfire? A: Many
RB: How Many? - Not enough keys A: Many • Have to pay for broken keys. • Intercom don’t work
RB: Any working intercoms? A: 10% RB: Working front door? A: 10% and no glass in door for months.
• Cops don’t bother those they know sell drugs. • No respect
RB: People seem to know who the dealers are – why don’t cops stop them? LS: Housing police? No, the 76 Precinct. No cops patrolling. No foot patrols/only driving.
Cheryl Cephas – 16 Mill Street Re: gas – no answers • No resources. • Supposed to be a meeting but it didn’t happen. • Management has poor excuse. • No aid because they were provided with hot plates.
Samora Coles: No action – being neglected. Her son was stopped.
LS: Meeting with D.A. Hynes? Can you attend precinct meeting?
LB: Goes to meetings, 76th Precinct, will probably Cops don’t know the residents, they don’t walk the streets; no respect.
RB: Must attend precinct meetings.
Naire: Sidewalk bridges seem permanent • Symbol of disrespect for tenants • Obscures building numbers • Repairs are scheduled for distant future. Takes years to get work done.
RB: Lights and addresses on bridges? Noted that bridges are a waste of money.
Q: If we don’t get repairs, what can we do?
Katie Brennan of the Legal Aid Society introduced herself. She asked has anyone filed a housing part action? About 6 said yes but received no response, no action. She said you must be persistent. You can ask for rent abatement.
What is considered an emergency? Can I make repairs myself?
NYCHA doesn’t act even with court orders.
RB: CB6 will meet with NYCHA and convey. Q: Have you started petitions? A: Yes RB: Bring them to us.
Katie Brennan: To get abatement you withhold rent/NYCHA will sue/you will show why problem justifies.
RB: Notes – withholding rent can be dangerous if you miss court date.
KB: Getting repairs through HP is “safer” and judges are more sympathetic.
Larquette Middleton: What facilities will be here for the children?
RB: Struggle every year for funding.
DK: CB6 wrote to Council/Mayor.
Q: What happened to money for housing repairs?
Henrietta Perkins – handed out booklets to advise about stop and frisk. Sidewalk bridges.
Cheryl Cephas: Manager should be here. Why not?
Alexa Crenshaw: 624 Clinton – Bathroom problem; leaks above – 3 years to find leak. Showed manager but no response.
LaShana Gooding: Roof leaks; mold; water in the wall; plastered last year but never painted; roof still not repaired.
Nichole Santos: 829 Hicks – Mice/rodents 2 years; droppings all over; she patches holes but…
DK: Rodents? 6
RB: Cleanliness – halls/elevators? • Poor e.g. appliance abandoned in lobby • We clean our own halls. • One person that they know works. • Management doesn’t respond.
Susan Moscandini – 37 Central Mall • Safety issue/ fears v. unsafe • Cameras put up but doesn’t seem to have made an impact. • Kids have nothing to do. • Smells pot smoke. • People sleep in halls. • No one monitors cameras. • Who does inspections? How do they get away with saying no violation?
KB: NYCHA has to inspect a percentage of apartments each year.
Inspectors are covering up. They should be independent.
RB: We’ll ask for a copy of inspection report.
Toni Jones James: • Intercom on wrong side of the building. • Doors broken every day. • Not enough keys. Only 2 keys issued. • Re. stop and frisk – kids don’t have adequate ID. • Kids get tickets for “trespassing” • Abuse of summons for loitering and trespassing.
Mary Victor – 95 Centre Mall • Bathroom leaking • Ceiling and plaster damaged. • No repairs being done.
Maribel Reyes – 39 Centre Mall • Does all her own repairs. • One year wait for repair. • Had to leave due to mice. • Mold • Pays out of pocket for exterminator. • Roaches • Appliances no good.
• Inspections are a fraud. • Cops don’t do anything. • Coffey Park is lawless. • Police should enforce rules to instill a sense of order. • Tenants had to get rid of drug dealers themselves. • Residents have to take more responsibility. • Smells pot everywhere • Police – slow response.
Ricardo Reed – 37 Centre Mall • Does his own repair and maintenance. • NYCHA repair was duct tape and paint. • False sense of security from cameras. • Repairs take too long. • Cleaner doesn’t work. • No response to maintenance tickets. • Police response too slow – don’t do anything.