FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

CONTACT

Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org

VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO ERIC ADAMS’ SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PLAN

Adams’ Has Committed to Convert Distressed Hotels Into Approximately 25,000 Supportive Housing Units

NEW YORK — In response to the announcement of Eric Adams’ Housing Plan, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Milton Perez, a leader with VOCAL-NY’s Homelessness Union:

“Homeless New Yorkers have been fighting for years to get more supportive housing built. Adams’ announcement is a step in the right direction, and we await more details about how it will be modeled. This year we won the Housing Our Neighbors With Dignity Act (HONDA), allowing the state to fund the conversion of distressed hotels and commercial property to housing for homeless New Yorkers and low income tenants. Any hotel conversion program must match HONDA’s commitment to permanent, high quality housing.

We also know supportive housing alone won’t solve our homelessness crisis. There are thousands of parents with children, as well as individual adults like myself, who are homeless and have been priced out of our housing market because of the greed of the real estate industry. The City must release a housing plan to house all of us.”

BACKGROUND:

VOCAL-NY has fought for homeless New Yorkers for over two decades. In New York City, leaders successfully lobbied to increase the CityFHEPS voucher to market rate, unlocking more apartments for those living in shelters and on the streets. And on the state level, VOCAL-NY successful ushered in the passage of the House Our Neighbors With Dignity Act (HONDA), which will convert distressed hotels into affordable housing across the state.

In March, VOCAL-NY held a Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire and Forum where housing and homelessness were a main topic of discussion. Read all of Eric Adams’ responses on the issues here.

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