《NYCHA Conditions--Louis Flores Segment 6 30 16》 - 免费有声读物

Publisher of Progress Queens, Louis Flores, discusses his extensive research and investigation into conditions at the city's public housing developments--specifically related to lead and lead-tainted water.. Because of 'misleading' testimony given by the NYCHA chair to the NY City Council, Flores FOILED the agency. He had to learn a separate computer program in order to do review the documents he was able to obtain, and discovered the agency may track lead in different ways which could obfuscate the truth.

At the hearings, the NYCHA chair acknowledged high levels of lead at 13 complexes without disclosing which ones, and no CM--including head of the Council's public housing committee--asked, giving NYCHA "a complete pass."  According to the chair, only 18 units tested positive since 2010, though she was aware the number is really close to 55K.

A federal investigation is currently ongoing regarding among other issues, NYCHA's compliance with regulations it provides safe housing to its tenants, free of hazards like lead. Additionally, Flores believes the investigation will also examine if the agency made false claims the housing is safe in order to obtain funding, and potentially how NYCHA is selling its real estate. Flores also disclosed the federal agency governing NYCHA--the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)--has refused to take action until the federal prosecutor concludes his probe, potentially leaving hundreds if not thousands of NYCHA residents at risk of lead poisoning.

Additionally, NYCHA was sued in a class action suit for mold contamination. The presiding judge rejected the first choice of both sides to be special master overseeing mold abatement compliance, appointing his own candidate to ensure a timely outcome.

Overall, Flores was extremely critical of other relevant agencies and elected officials--including the City Comptroller--for lack of oversight, lack of political will and their silence.  "How do we value people who live in public housing?" Flores asked. In the tale of 2 cities--on which Mayor de Blasio campaigned- some people are free of living in unsafe circumstances, but not those in public housing, Flores said, wondering about the city's commitment.