The New York City Housing Authority plans to lease approximately fifteen lots to developers in Manhattan to create 4,000 apartments with 800 of these units intended for low-income families. The lots are located in eight developments, south of 110th Street in Manhattan. The rents from these leases would go to NYCHA to supplement capital for rehabilitation efforts at existing public housing developments and to increase its annual income. In recent years the Housing Authority has experienced budget shortfalls and has sought different funding sources to alleviate this problem.

NYCHA estimates that this proposal would generate $50 million annually. The Housing Authority has stated that the increases in annual capital income will supplement reinvestment funds for older and deteriorating developments. The hearing will examine this proposal and the impact it will have on the communities in which the developments reside.

Persons wishing to present written testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in receiving written testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Keith Wright
Member of Assembly
Chair
Committee on Housing

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Persons wishing to attend the public hearing on New York City Housing Authority Real Property Use are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to: