Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, city officials, join NYCHA Residents

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Representative Nydia Velazquez (7-NY), and other city officials and advocates, joined Red Hook Houses residents and Brooklyn A to advocate for repairs and doubling of NYCHA funding in the Build Back Better Plan.

Last week, Ms. Elsa Escalera, a resident of the Red Hook Houses in Brooklyn, spoke courageously to Univision about the poor living conditions in her apartment. Yesterday we were delighted to be joined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Representative Nydia Velazquez, State Senator Jabari Brisport, and Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes, among other community-based organizations, to advocate for repairs throughout the Red Hook Houses as well as an increase in funding for NYCHA in President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Plan.

Brooklyn A attorneys and advocates at the Red Hook Community Justice Center have represented residents like Ms. Escalera who for years have faced egregious repair issues. Residents have at times grown accustomed to living in horrid and dangerous conditions, for example, apartments with asbestos and vermin, severe leaks resulting in black mold, loss of water, heat, and gas, and various safety issues.

It generally takes legal action before NYCHA will begin repairs in most resident’s apartments. So far in 2021, Brooklyn A has filed legal cases to force repairs impacting hundreds of residents and has represented many more in eviction prevention cases. We believe that our clients deserve meaningful investment in the infrastructure of their residences, which would resolve poor living conditions.

Brooklyn A remains committed to fighting alongside our clients at the Red Hook Houses, and beyond, to protect their rights to live in habitable conditions. We appreciate the attention of our government officials to these critical issues and hope they will stand by their promises to our communities.

Watch the interview with Ms. Escalera and Ivan, a Brooklyn A staff member, here, as well as photos from yesterday’s event at the Red Hook Houses below. Also check out press coverage of the event from the Daily News and Bklyner.

Ivan Valladares, Brooklyn A staff member, and Red Hook Houses resident Ms. Elsa Escalera speak about conditions in her apartment. Watch the interview here.

Zac Hale, staff attorney with the Preserving Affordable Housing Program, State Senator Jabari Brisport, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer outside a Red Hook Houses development.

Left: Representative Nydia Velazquez, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes with fellows from the Assemblymember’s office. Right: Red Hook East Tenant Association President Ms. Frances Brown explains conditions at the public housing development.