Stop the displacement of Residents and Businesses in the City of New York.

Stop the displacement of Residents and Businesses in the City of New York.

Started
November 13, 2019
Signatures: 374Next Goal: 500
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Why this petition matters

We the members of the NY Interfaith Round Table and NY Interfaith Commission for Housing Equality and the undersigned call upon the City Council and the representative of New York City Council Districts, to support the introduction and enactment of Res 0009-2018 as a law of the City of New York in order to STOP:  

  • Soaring rents
  • Displacement of residents and businesses
  • Destroying neighborhoods
  • Endangering the great mosaic
  • Jeopardizing the workforce
  • Endangering the community-based institutions including houses of worship.

Enactment of Res 0009-2018 as a law will enable long-term protection for residents, businesses and the character of the affected community, as well as the economics of the city of New York.

Historical Context.

To stop neighborhoods from the devastation of development, abusive housing policies and lack of professionalism by the city’s planning agency, the New York Interfaith Commission and Housing Round Table, are calling upon City Council to introduce and pass Res 0009-2018 as a law. 

On May 7, 2019, a staff of the City Planning Commission (CPC) testified before the City Council Land Use Committee: "CPC does not follow up to determine the consequences of the socioeconomic impact on rezoned sites, blocks and neighborhoods—even though since 2000 construction has been economically reshuffling the entire population".

The 2000 census report stated, Latinos, African Americans, and Asians are the majority of the population. Thereafter, the following occurred: (1) 10,000 blocks were rezoned creating a billionaire zone to encourage private investments; (2) investment properties caused rents to soar beyond workforce wages; (3) communities of color were primarily rezoned; and (4) 30/70 affordable to market-rate rent guidelines caused rents to soar beyond local wage levels.   

Since the turn of the century, it seems housing policies were designed to enrich members of the Real Estate Board of NY (REBNY) and benefit the wealthy. This results in the displacement of Latinos, African Americans, and Asians and threatens local businesses, the workforce, and endangers union membership.    

Councilmember Inez Barron proposed a law to address housing policies that adversely impact the socioeconomic character of neighborhoods. However, the proposed law was converted into Res 0009-2018. To ensure enforcement is backed by the full force of law, this resolution must be enacted as a law.      

The primary section of Res 0009-2018 state in layman terms: when there is a possible adverse impact on a neighborhood’s character the relevant agency is requested to seek alternatives that provide long-term protection for residents, businesses, and character of the affected community, including the provision of permanently affordable housing and commercial space.

Members of City Council are requested to enact Res 0009-2018 as a law in order to ensure: (1) CPC make public findings of the socioeconomic impact of redevelopment on neighborhoods; and (2) housing policies benefit all New Yorkers not primarily mega businesses, elite education institutions and members of the Real Estate Board of NY (REBNY).

Greed is displacing hardworking, taxpaying residents, union members, and congregants. This must cease. The membership of the Interfaith Round Table and NY Interfaith Commission for Housing Equality are requesting members of the city council to pass Res 0009-2018 as the law of NYC.   

We need your support. 

We need you to read, sign and share this petition at least 5 times.

The residents of NY need your help.

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Signatures: 374Next Goal: 500
Support now
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