Modifies the composition of the membership of the NYC Housing Authority to specifically include tenant representatives

Title of bill

An act to amend the public housing law, in relation to modifying the composition of the membership of the New York city housing authority to specifically include tenant representatives

Purpose

This bill would increase the membership of NYCHA to include tenant representation.

Summary of provisions

This bill would amend subdivisions 3 and 4 of section 402 of the public housing law, as amended by Chapter 916 of the laws of 1958 to provide for the appointment of two tenant representatives to the NYCHA board.

Existing law

This bill would amend subdivisions 3 and 4 of section 402 of the public housing law, as amended by Chapter 916 of the laws of 1958 to provide for the appointment of members to the NYCHA board.

Justification

This bill would increase the participation of public housing tenants in the decision making process of public housing complexes. At the present time, tenants of public housing have limited input into the operation of their housing complexes. They are restricted to an "advisory" role and therefore are removed from any substantive input into the problems and programs for their complexes. By providing public housing tenants representation on the authority they will play a greater role in the operation of their complexes. There will be a corresponding identification with the problems they are confronting and policies enacted to resolve such problems. By providing such direct representation, the tenant representative will act as a board of directors and/or trustees of public housing complexes which will in turn shift the accountability not only onto those who will run public housing but to those tenant representatives who have the direct link to the Housing Authority that they have never had.

The bill provides that two tenant representatives be appointed by the Mayor of New York City. These representatives must be eighteen years of age or older, be a resident of public housing, and shall serve a term of three years. They shall receive a monthly stipend of $250 and be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

The newly elected two tenant representatives shall receive a monthly stipend of $250. The cost to the City of New York will be $6,000 per year plus any actual and necessary expenses incurred by the two tenant representatives.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.