Housing Authority Lays Out Budget Woes
New York, NY —
The New York City Housing Authority laid out its budget woes to city council members today. Even after a plan to save money and raise revenue, public housing is facing a $51 million deficit this year.
REPORTER: Councilwoman Melissa Mark Viverito,represents East Harlem. She questioned heads about a decision to sell land within certain complexes in order to raise revenue. Affordable housing will be built on the land which will sell for $50 million. Dough Apple is the housing authority's general manager:
VIVERITO: It's a low estimate in my estimation...that's very low...well, the challenge is going to be you're right if these sites are all sold for market rate housing it would be much higher but that is clearly is not our mission.”
REPORTER: Viverito suggested land should be leased so that it generates revenue each year. The housing authority says its considering leasing out commercial space within certain complexes. There are 343 public housing developments in New York City with just over 400 thousand residents.
