Several top groups on the left are weighing in jointly on Jumaane and
Ritchie, making it clear they want the new City Council to prioritize
the preservation and expansion of permanently affordable housing for low-income New Yorkers.
Progressive Power Coalition Says Jumaane
and Ritchie Will Help Increase Availability of Permanently Affordable
Housing for Low-Income City Residents
The
Progressive Power Coalition, which includes several of the leading C4
advocacy organizations and community groups working to preserve and
expand affordable housing for low-income New York City residents,
released the following statement today:
“We
applaud Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for appointing Council
Member Jumaane Williams as the Chairman of the Housing Committee and
Ritchie Torres as Chairman of the Public Housing Committee. For many
years, Jumaane and Ritchie have been leading advocates for affordable
housing in communities of color and immigrant communities. We know they
will work together to ensure that the lowest-income city residents gain
greater access to permanently affordable housing. As rents continue to
skyrocket and gentrification stretches deeper into the outer boroughs,
city government must do everything in its power to increase the
availability of permanently affordable housing for low-wage workers and
their families. We are confident that Jumaane and Ritchie will be
strong, principled leaders on affordable housing in their new roles, and
hold real-estate developers accountable for decisions that have harmed
low-income New Yorkers in recent years.”
The Progressive Power Coalition includes Make The Road Action Fund, Citizens Action NY, VOCAL NY Action Fund, Community Voices Heard Power, and New York Communities for Change.