Enacts the "public housing safety and security act of 2009"

1. The state has a duty to provide public housing that is decent, safe, secure and free from crime;

2. Public housing projects in many areas suffer from rampant crime, including: larceny, robbery, burglary and rape;

3. Drug dealers and criminals are increasingly imposing a reign of terror on public housing tenants;

4. This increase in crime not only leads to murders, muggings and other forms of violence against tenants but also to a deterioration of the physical environment that requires substantial government expenditures; and

5. Local law enforcement authorities often lack the resources to deal with the constant surveillance and patrolling in public housing particularly in light of the recent reductions in federal aid to cities;

6. Recent events at certain housing projects, particularly the Tilden Houses in Brooklyn demonstrate that these issues are extremely serious and urgent in nature.

Summary of provisions

Enacts a new Article 12A in the state public housing law.

Section 310 is the new title.

Section 311 outlines the Legislative findings.

Section 312 provides the authority to make grants under this program.

Section 313 establishes what security enhancement projects grant money can specifically be used for.

Section 314 outlines the application process for securing funds under the grant program.

Section 315 requires the Division of Housing and Community Renewal to make biannual inspections of all public housing units in the state to ensure basic and core security features of the buildings are operational.

Section 316 enacts a new statute requiring the Division of Housing and Community Renewal to submit an annual report to the legislature on the state of public housing in New York. EXISTING LAW : Article 12 of the public housing law currently outlines a program similar to this that attempts to combat the widespread use of drugs and drug dealing in public housing. However, current law does not attempt to combat other serious crimes such as robbery and rape that occur in public housing in New York State.

Justification

It is positive to note that crime in public housing has decreased. However, crime committed in government subsidized housing projects remains greater than the rest of New York City housing establishments. Recent crime statistics reflected that 11% of murders, 11% of rapes and 16% of shootings were committed in public housing projects, yet they only house five percent of the population of New York City. These facilities do not receive a proportionate amount of the security patrol coverage available. The current security measures are inadequate. In 2005, a study by the New York City Council found that a trespasser could successfully access a New York City Housing Authority building by the front door nearly 50% of the time without a key or entry card. This bill will authorize grants that enable creative innovation of security measures that enhance the safety of these public facilities and provide these residents with the dignity and safety that they deserve.

Legislative history

S.4313a of 2007 04/05/07 Referred to Housing Construction & Community Development

Fiscal implications

A five million dollar appropriation from the general fund will be used to implement this program.

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.