VOTE411 Voter Guide

1. Lack of Affordable and Adequate Housing: The growing number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness reflects systemic gaps in our housing and social support systems. Too many residents are priced out of safe, stable apartments. Aging buildings, overcrowding, and rising rents have created a housing crisis.

2. Food Insecurity and Inflation: Families are struggling to put food on the table as grocery prices soar and access to nutritious options remains limited. Inflation has deepened economic hardship across the district.

3. Quality of Life and Public Well-being: From unsafe streets to limited green spaces, residents face daily challenges that impact their physical and mental health. We need bold investments in safety, recreation, and community care.

To address the lack of affordable and adequate housing in my district, I will take immediate legislative and oversight action:

End Apartment Warehousing: I will introduce legislation to prohibit landlords from keeping rent-stabilized units vacant while thousands of residents remain unhoused. These apartments must be returned to the market and made available to those who need them most.

Reform the Housing Lottery System: I will work with the New York State Senate to overhaul income eligibility requirements, so they reflect the actual income levels of residents in our district—not inflated regional averages that exclude working families.

Hold HPD Accountable: I will demand transparency and enforcement from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). This includes:

Requiring public follow-up reports on apartment inspections.

Publishing violation counts and resolution timelines.

Ensuring inspectors are not compromised or influenced—something that has undermined trust in the past. Housing is a human right. I will fight to make sure our policies reflect that truth—not just in words, but in action.

Expand Local Food Pantries: I will work with community organizations to open more food pantries—especially in underserved areas—ensuring they include essentials like fresh produce and pet food. Families shouldn’t have to choose between feeding themselves and their pets.

Attract Affordable Grocery Chains: I will advocate for bringing stores like Aldi and Lidl into the district. These chains offer fresh food at lower prices and are a lifeline in other low-income neighborhoods like Harlem and the Bronx. Our district deserves the same access.

To improve everyday life in our district, I will focus on preserving green space, promoting environmental education, and resolving community tensions through dialogue:

Preserve and Protect Local Parks: I will fight to safeguard green spaces like Inwood Hill Park and Highbridge Park from overdevelopment and neglect. These parks are vital for mental health, recreation, and environmental sustainability.

Environmental Education in Public Schools: I will encourage and fund field trips that teach students about the environment and the importance of protecting green space. Our children should grow up understanding their role in shaping a livable future.

Address Noise and Nuisance Complaints: I will work closely with my community board and local precincts to respond to quality-of-life concerns like noise, illegal dumping, and unsafe conditions. Residents deserve peace and safety in their own neighborhoods.

Launch a Community Mediation Program: I will establish a district-wide mediation initiative where neighbors can resolve disputes respectfully and constructively. Whether it’s a noise issue or a personal conflict, we need spaces for healing—not escalation.

One of my first actions will be to open a 7-day-a-week district office with an open-door policy. It’s unacceptable that residents must take time off work—often unpaid—just to speak with their representative or access basic assistance. Government should meet people where they are, not the other way around.

This office will be: Open evenings and weekends, so working families, seniors, and students can get help without sacrificing their income or time.

Staffed with multilingual, community-trained personnel to ensure every resident feels welcomed and heard.

Equipped to handle housing, food, and public safety concerns with direct referrals and real-time support.

Conduct a District-Wide Listening Tour: I believe real solutions come from the ground up. That’s why I will immediately begin meeting with community groups across the district—including nonprofits, local precincts, churches, synagogues, and other faith-based organizations—to identify best practices and build a united strategy for addressing housing, food insecurity, and quality of life challenges.

The meetings will focus on: Sharing resources and coordinating services to avoid duplication and fill gaps.

Listening to frontline workers and residents who know the issues firsthand.

Building a community-led action plan that reflects our shared values and priorities.

Government should not operate in isolation. We are strongest when we work together—as neighbors, advocates, and problem-solvers.

My most ambitious goal is to ensure that every resident in my district has access to safe and affordable housing—a place where they can feel secure, respected, and able to relax in their own community. Housing is more than shelter; it’s the foundation of dignity, stability, and opportunity. I envision a district where:

Families no longer fear eviction or overcrowding.

Seniors can age in place without financial strain.

Children grow up in clean, safe homes that support their health and education.

This goal represents the kind of leadership our district deserves. Everyone deserves a home they can afford and a neighborhood where they feel safe.

The biggest barriers to achieving safe and affordable housing in my district are:

Political Inaction and Bureaucracy: Too often, housing legislation is stalled or watered down due to special interests. We need elected officials who will fight—not just talk.

Lack of Enforcement and Accountability: Agencies like HPD have failed to enforce housing violations consistently. Without transparency and follow-through, unsafe conditions persist, and trust erodes.

Income Requirements: Current housing lottery systems use regional income averages that don’t reflect the reality of working families in our district. This excludes the very people who need affordable housing most.

Apartment Warehousing: Landlords keeping rent-stabilized units vacant for profit. Ending this practice will require bold legislation and strong oversight.

Despite these challenges, I believe we can overcome them—by organizing, legislating, and holding every stakeholder accountable.

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