Senate Bill S3116

                                BILL NUMBER:S3116

TITLE OF BILL:

An act
to amend the public housing law, in relation to regulating the
conveyance
of certain public housing

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To protect the availability and affordability of the New York City
public housing stock.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 402-a is added and provides that any contract for the sale or
transfer of any real property owned or controlled by the New York
city housing authority to a private entity must be approved by the
legislature.

JUSTIFICATION:

Created in the 1930's, public housing projects were meant to be
affordable homes for lower and middle class New Yorkers, now the
buildings are crumbling, there is a $168 million yearly operating
              

deficit, and a decade long waiting list. In light of such constant
and deleterious conditions, the notion of selling public housing
seems to some to be a plausible solution but it is at best an
ill-advised alternative.

The need for additional affordable housing in New York City is
undeniable; however, the theory that supports the sale of current
property for the creation of new housing in poorer neighborhoods is
elitist and separatist. Such a plan would further the economic divide
which the current housing market can potentially spurn if allowed to
grow without balances and mechanisms such as the review and oversight
this legislation envisions.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2007: A.9531

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to any contract
for the sale or transfer or real property to a private entity by the
New York city housing authority on or after such date.