Provides for the use of common areas in housing authority projects for tenant group meetings without the imposition of a fee

BILL NUMBER:S3103A

Title of bill

An act to amend the public housing law, in relation to the use of areas in housing authority projects for tenant meetings

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would allow tenants of public housing authority projects desiring to conduct a meeting pursuant to section two hundred thirty of the real property law, to have the use without charge, of any location owned by the authority and set aside as an area of common use for all tenants. Such use would include any community or social room where use is normally subject to a fee, providing the meeting is peacefully conducted, during reasonable hours and does not obstruct any access.

Justification

This legislation would give tenants of housing authority projects the opportunity to plan and schedule meetings within their specific complex without having to rent an authorized meeting space. Groups or committees that had previously been unable to meet in common areas, due to the inability to pay for a community or social room where use is usually subject to a fee, had been forced to meet in apartments or open areas in possible violation of building codes. This legislation would guarantee such groups free use of a bona-fide meeting place.

Prior legislative history

2011-12: S.1136 - Referred to Housing, Construction, and Community Development 2009-2010: S.8916A Passed Senate 2007-2006: A.5557 Passed Assembly; S.7289, Rules 2005-2006: A.736, Passed Assembly 2003-2004: A.6769, Passed Assembly 2001-2002: A.5314, Passed Assembly 1999-2000: A.1480, passed Assembly 1997-1998: A.4035, Third Reading 1995-1996: A.7523, Passed Assembly

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

Immediately.