On Thursday, Jan. 20, the New York City Council appointed recently elected, Bronx, District 14 City Council Member, Pierina Sanchez, as chair of the council’s powerful housing & buildings committee, which has jurisdiction over New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Department of Buildings (DOB), as well as rent regulation policies and practices.

 

HPD is responsible for promoting the quality and affordability of the city’s housing by developing new, affordable housing, enforcing the housing maintenance code, and engaging neighborhoods in planning. DOB is the primary regulator of the construction and real estate industries in New York City, responsible for enforcing the City’s construction codes, zoning resolution, and the New York State multiple dwelling law.

 

Reacting to the announcement of her appointment, Sanchez said, “At a time when our City faces an ongoing and exacerbated housing crisis, I am so honored to be appointed by Speaker Adrienne Adams and my colleagues on the NYC Council to chair the council committee on housing and buildings.” The appointment is timely given Sanchez and her colleague, former tenant lawyer, District 15 City Councilman Oswald Feliz, have been heavily involved in the recent relief efforts for the victims of the recent Twin Parks fire tragedy at 333 East 181st Street in Fordham Heights. The fire took place on Sunday, Jan. 9 and the housing complex falls in Feliz’s District 15, and adjacent to Sanchez’s District 14.

 

Seventeen people died in the fire, including 8 children, which was sparked by an electric space heater, according to the FDNY. However, some self-closing doors in the building did not work as they should have, fire officials said after further investigation, making escape more difficult for many of the victims, due to being overwhelmed by smoke.

 

“In the last two weeks, we witnessed the devastating impact of the Twin Parks 5-alarm Fire and South Bronx fire due to neglected buildings and gas leaks, claiming the lives of 18 New Yorkers, our neighbors,” Sanchez said. “The City’s affordable housing crisis, disproportionately impacting low- to moderate-income communities and communities of color for years, has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its corresponding health and economic fallout.”

 

Norwood News has reported again and again on a number of housing-related issues, including debates over the use of public land, tax lien sale, fraud, evictions, protests, efforts to reform housing and rental legislation, emergency rental relief legislation, and other issues pertaining to repairs, and lack of affordable housing, including gas-related issues both recently and in the past and other issues with rats and asthma caused by . Yet, it seems almost inevitable that these same issues are set to continue in the City’s poorest borough, unless there are more improvements made to housing policy.  In addition, on Saturday, Jan Jan. 15, the State eviction moratorium expired.

 

Sanchez continued, “Only 18 percent of renter-occupied homes are well maintained by landlords, up to 70 percent of the lowest-income households live in homes they cannot afford, nearly 300,000 evictions have been filed in the state with a lifted eviction moratorium, and our buildings still emit unsustainable levels of greenhouse gas emissions and pollutions.”

 

She added, “In this dire context, the work of this committee and of housing advocates and of leaders in the City of New York could not be more important. I am energized to serve alongside a speaker, city council and mayor who are committed to working hard to protect tenants demanding safe, healthy, quality and affordable housing, and fighting against harassment, neglect, and speculative landlords.”

 

The councilwoman was also appointed to serve on the committees on education, finance, immigration, land use, public housing, rules, privileges and elections, and the Twin Parks citywide taskforce on fire prevention.

 

Similar to Congress at the federal level, the New York City Council is New York City’s legislative body and most of the City Council’s legislative work happens in committee meetings and hearings. The committees discuss proposed laws, conduct oversight hearings with mayoral agencies, and hear feedback from New Yorkers. Each committee is chaired by a council member and meets at least once every other month, discussing matters of importance. Every council member is assigned, through a voting process by all council members, to serve on various committees and subcommittees.

 

According to the councilwoman’s office, the councilwoman brings a strong background in housing policy, born and raised in The Bronx, having served on the local community board, as a senior advisor for housing, economic development and labor in City Hall, and as New York director and co-author of the Fourth Regional Plan at Regional Plan Association (RPA). As previously reported, she also previously worked in the Obama administration.

 

As reported, Democrat, Sanchez, won the District 14 general election in November 2021, and replaces former District 14 City Councilman Fernando Cabrera. The district covers Morris Heights, University Heights, Fordham and Kingsbridge.

 

In other appointment news, District 11 City Council Member, Eric Dinowitz, has been appointed to the higher education committee. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, announced the full list of New York City Council committee chairs and leadership on Thursday, Jan. 20.

 

“I am proud to announce our city council’s leadership, as well as committee chairs and assignments. This is the most diverse City Council in history, and each member’s experiences and expertise will shape the important work of our legislative body,” Adams said. “I am confident that this city council will work together to achieve our shared goal of providing strong oversight as a co-equal branch of city government and improving the lives of every New Yorker. We are unified and ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

 

The leadership of the Council is made up of Adams (speaker), District 8 Bronx/Manhattan city councilwoman, Diana Ayala (deputy speaker); Keith Powers (majority leader), Joseph Borelli (minority leader), Selvena Brooks-Powers (majority whip), Inna Vernikov (minority whip), former Manhattan borough president and now councilwoman, Gail Brewer, Justin Brannan, Crystal Hudson, and Bronx councilman, Rafael Salamanca (C.D. 17).

 

The committees comprise the following council members:

AGING Crystal Hudson, chair; Eric Dinowitz; Linda Lee; Christopher Marte; Darlene Mealy; Kristin Richardson Jordan; and Lynn Schulman

 

CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS Nantasha Williams, chair; Rita Joseph; Christopher Marte; Kirstin Richardson Jordan; Rafael Salamanca; Inna Vernikov;

 

CIVIL SERVICE AND LABOR Carmen De La Rosa, chair; Erik Bottcher; former Queens District Attorney candidate and now council member, Tiffany Cabán; Eric Dinowitz; Bronx councilman for District 15, Oswald Feliz; Kamillah Hanks; Rita Joseph; for executive director for the New York City office overseeing Census 2020, and now councilwoman, Julie Menin; Francisco Moya; and Sandy Nurse

 

CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND BUSINESS LICENSING Marjorie Velázquez, chair; Shaun Abreu; Erik Bottcher; Gail Brewer; Bronx city councilwoman, Amanda Farías (C.D. 18); Shekar Krishnan; Julie Menin; Chi Ossé; and Julie Won

 

Reacting to the appointment, District 13 city councilwoman, Velázquez, said it was an honor, adding, “Before entering the city council, I advocated on behalf of workers, unions, and consumers to make sure they were safeguarded at home and in the workplace. I look forward to continuing that work to make sure all New Yorkers feel protected.” She added, “I am also delighted to be appointed to the finance, health, parks, sanitation, small business, and oversight committees. These issues touch the lives of all New Yorkers, and there is so much good work to be done. I want to thank Speaker Adams for placing this trust in me and I look forward to having a fruitful partnership working on these issues.”

 

CONTRACTS Julie Won, chair; Joann Ariola; James F. Gennaro; Robert Holden; Linda Lee; Sandy Nurse; and Lincoln Restler

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE, Carlina Rivera, chair; Shaun Abreu; David Carr; Shahana Hanif; Mercedes Narcisse; Lincoln Restler; Lynn Schulman; and Althea Stevens

 

CULTURAL AFFAIRS, LIBRARIES AND INTERNATIONAL INTERGROUP RELATIONS Chi Ossé, chair; Eric Dinowitz; Amanda Farías, Shahana Hanif; Crystal Hudson; Farah N. Louis; Rita Joseph; and Sandra Ung

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Amanda Farías, chair, Alexa Avilés; Jennifer Gutiérrez; Ari Kagan; Bronx councilman, Kevin Riley (C.D. 12); Rafael Salamanca; and Nantasha Williams

 

Farías, said she was thrilled at the appointment as chair, a position she said would give her an opportunity to oversee legislation that affects the City’s small businesses and hard-working families the most. “Moving forward, I’m interested in ensuring that all businesses have access to the resources that will help them succeed — from long time, family owned businesses to new sectors looking to invest in our communities across the city.”

 

She added, “The top priority for me as chair is supporting our small businesses while we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. I have spent years advocating for workers rights and for the longevity and success of our city’s businesses and this year will be no different. As chair, I look forward to increasing our oversight on our City’s spending and budgeting, and want to allocate the dollars we need to keep our city moving forward – such as properly funding our Ferry System to expand service.”

 

She concluded, “I am excited by the prospects of many emerging industries and am ready to work to bolster New York’s economic development. Thank you to Speaker Adrienne Adams for the trust and appointment, and I look forward to working with her, my colleagues, and Mayor Eric Adams and his administration to make our city’s economy more inclusive for all New Yorkers.”

 

EDUCATION Rita Joseph, chair; Shaun Abreu; Alexa Avilés; Carmen De La Rosa; Eric Dinowitz; Oswald Feliz; James F. Gennaro; Jennifer Gutiérrez; Shahana Hanif; Kamillah Hanks; Shekar Krishnan; Linda Lee; Farah N. Louis; Christopher Marte; Julie Menin; Mercedes Narcisse; Lincoln Restler; Pierina Sanchez; Lynn Schulman; Althea Stevens; and Sandra Ung

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION James F. Gennaro, chair; Jennifer Gutiérrez; Kamillah Hanks; Ari Kagan; Julie Menin; Francisco Moya; Sandy Nurse; and Lincoln Restler

 

FINANCE Justin Brannan, chair; Diana Ayala; Charles Barron; Gail Brewer; Selvena Brooks-Powers; David Carr; Amanda Farías; Kamillah Hanks; Crystal Hudson; Ari Kagan; Farah N. Louis; Chi Ossé; Keith Powers; Pierina Sanchez; Marjorie Velázquez; and Julie Won

 

FIRE AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Joann Ariola, chair; David Carr; Carmen De La Rosa; Oswald Feliz; James F. Gennaro; Robert Holden; Farah N. Louis; Kevin Riley; Lynn Schulman; and Kalman Yeger

 

GENERAL WELFARE Diana Ayala, chair; Tiffany Cabán; Crystal Hudson; Linda Lee; Chi Ossé; Lincoln Restler; Kevin Riley; Bronx councilwoman Althea Stevens (C.D. 16); Sandra Ung; and Nantasha Williams

 

GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS Sandra Ung; chair; Gail Brewer; Eric Dinowitz; Shahana Hanif; Lincoln Restler; and Lynn Schulman

 

HEALTH Lynn Schulman, chair; Joann Ariola; Charles Barron; Oswald Feliz; Crystal Hudson; Mercedes Narcisse; Marjorie Velázquez; and Kalman Yeger

 

HIGHER EDUCATION Eric Dinowitz, chair; Charles Barron; Gail Brewer; Oswald Feliz; and Inna Vernikov

 

HOSPITALS Mercedes Narcisse, chair; Charles Barron; Selvena Brooks-Powers; Jennifer Gutiérrez; Rita Joseph; Francisco Moya; and Carlina Rivera

 

HOUSING AND BUILDINGS Pierina Sanchez, chair; Alexa Avilés; Charles Barron; Tiffany Cabán; Eric Dinowitz; Oswald Feliz; Crystal Hudson; Ari Kagan; and Carlina Rivera

 

IMMIGRATION Shahana Hanif, chair; Carmen De La Rosa; Rita Joseph; Shekar Krishnan; Francisco Moya; Pierina Sanchez; Ung; and Julie Won

 

LAND USE Rafael Salamanca, chair, Joseph Borelli; Erik Bottcher; Selvena Brooks-Powers; Kamillah Hanks; Ari Kagan; Shekar Krishnan; Farah N. Louis; Darlene Mealy; Francisco Moya; Kevin Riley; Carlina Rivera; and Pierina Sanchez

 

In the context of his appointment as chair, Salamanca said, “As the city navigates its future in the COVID-19 landscape, the New York City Council will continue to play a pivotal role in providing and obtaining essential resources on behalf of all New Yorkers. Working with Speaker Adams, the Council’s leadership team, and my colleagues, I will passionately advocate for those historically underserved communities.”

 

He added, “I thank Speaker Adams for selecting me to be a part of the Council’s leadership team, as well as placing her faith in me to continue as the chair of the Committee on Land Use. The critical need for quality, truly affordable housing has only intensified by the global pandemic. I look forward to working with my colleagues to shape and create appropriate, pro-community development within their districts.”

 

MENTAL HEALTH, DISABILITIES, AND ADDICTIONS Linda Lee, chair; Shaun Abreu; Diana Ayala; Erik Bottcher; Tiffany Cabán; Shahana Hanif; Darlene Mealy; Vickie Paladino; and Nantasha Williams

 

OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS Gail Brewer, chair; Diana Ayala; Rita Joseph; Shekar Krishnan; Rafael Salamanca; Nantasha Williams; Julie Won; Marjorie Velázquez; and Kalman Yeger

 

PARKS AND RECREATION Shekar Krishnan, chair; David Carr; Eric Dinowitz; Robert Holden; Linda Lee; Christopher Marte; Julie Menin; Mercedes Narcisse; Lincoln Restler; Ung; and Marjorie Velázquez

 

PUBLIC HOUSING Alexa Avilés, chair; Diana Ayala; Charles Barron; Carmen De La Rosa; Darlene Mealy; Chi Ossé; Lincoln Restler; Rafael Salamanca; Pierina Sanchez; and Julie Won

 

PUBLIC SAFETY Kamillah Hanks, chair; Joann Ariola; Erik Bottcher; Justin Brannan; and Tiffany Cabán

 

For the first time in history, female council members make up the majority in the council (31 out of 51).

 

For details on some of the recently announced, affordable housing lotteries in the local area, click here, here, and here.