Comptroller Stringer Launches Public Hearings and Family Complaint Hotline as Lead Crisis Continues

Investigative hearings and hotline are part of Comptroller's ongoing investigation into City's handling of lead poisoning in children

  As part of his ongoing investigation into the City’s response to lead poisoning in children citywide, Comptroller Scott M. Stringer announced today the first in a series of borough-focused “We the People” public hearings as well as a family support hotline to get firsthand feedback from families affected by this crisis. The first hearing, which will be held in Harlem on Monday, September 17th, will allow families to let their voices be heard and will guide the Comptroller’s office investigation.

“Everyday the crisis at NYCHA worsens, but the City still has no real plan to overhaul the authority and protect the countless vulnerable children living in our City’s crumbling public housing. Meanwhile, thousands of children are testing positive for elevated lead in private housing – enough is enough,” said Comptroller Stringer. “We, the people, have had enough with hollow rhetoric. We, the people, have had enough with a second-class public housing system. It is time to give a voice to the families and children who are living this nightmare every day.”

Following changing data on the number of children with elevated levels of lead in NYCHA buildings, this past July, Comptroller Stringer launched an investigation into the citywide response to lead poisoning in both public and private housing. The information collected at the “We the People” hearings and through the lead hotline will provide additional guidance for the ongoing investigation.

WHAT

“We the People” Investigatory Public Hearing on the Ongoing Lead Crisis

WHEN
Monday, September 17, 2018
Doors open at 6:30 PM
Hearing starts at 7:00 PM

WHERE
Frederick Samuel Community Center
669 Lenox Avenue
Between West 143rd and 144th Streets
New York, NY 10030

HOTLINE
212-669-4088

Hotline will be active on Tuesday, September 3, 2018 at 9:00 AM

Future hearing information will be released at a later date.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It is hard to believe that this situation has gone on for so long as it has. Where were the elected officials when complaints began to pour in years ago. 

This reporter went on several occasions with legislators who were bringing replacement stoves and refrigerators to NYCHA residents who were waiting over five years for said replacement appliances. 

At the first opportunity over a year ago, I asked Mayor de Blasio why is it that NYCHA residents are waiting over five years for replacement appliances? Mayor de Blasio did not answer me, he just said that it would take $18 Billion dollars  to bring NYCHA up to par. he added that he expected the state and federal governments to kick in $7.5 Billion each. One year later figure is now almost double, because of all the other problems that are being found due to the neglect of the city, and those elected officials who were elected to serve and protect the people.