Barbara Jones testifies on Jamie Towers Mitchell-Lama increases
Barbara Jones, a 31-year resident of Jamie Towers Cooperative in the Bronx, reports maintenance increasing from $1,009 to $1,679 in two years—a $500 increase—and describes losing SCRIE when management companies changed, urging passage of Intro 978 and better agency coordination.
My name is Barbara Jones.
I reside in the Jamie Towers Cooperative Housing Development in the Soundview Castle Hill community in the Bronx since 1995.
31 years in October.
Can you hear me?
Yes, yes.
By the New York State Homes and Community Renewal, it's a Mitchell Lama development.
I urge the passage of Intro 978, which will increase the annual income to receive $3,000 to $75,000 a year.
Right now, our development has had two consecutive increases.
My maintenance went from $1,009 to $1,679 in two years, a $500 increase.
We need this passage because we're on a fixed income.
We're senior citizens, and every time we have these increases, it makes us very nervous.
We want to make sure that we can stay in our homes.
We worked and lived in this city.
We paid taxes.
So it's now time for the city to give back.
I just want to say that I was getting screened and it was cut off when they changed the management companies.
So that needs to be looked at.
And also, when you call the Department of Finance, you get an announcement that they're not taking screen applications.
So there's a real, real urgent need for these government agencies to coordinate and not just talk about it, but actually do what they're supposed to do.
I want to thank you for the hearing today.
It was really very informative and you really hit the mark.
So hopefully the whole council will support the passage of intro 978.
I already uploaded my time has expired.
Thank you and have a blessed day.
Thank you.
Next, we have Katie.
Fortune.
Katie.
Fortune.
Naro.
We have Katie, Fortune Naro.
Kitty, are you here?
Yes.
Yes, Katie.
When you're ready, you can begin.
You are muted.
No, no.
You're good.
Don't touch the button again.
You're good to go.
Oh, you're muted again.
Okay, good.
You can try again.
Can you try?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, good, good, good.
Okay?
Okay.
I feel rich as an F-15.
My name is...
Yes.
Okay.
My name is Kay.
I'm sorry.
I've submitted my testimony.
I'm getting a tarot.
Oh, go back.
We will read the testimony.
Thank you.
Okay.
You're not allowed to know.
Can you answer my other feed?
I'm in a different feed.
The other way?
With this person.
Oh, just two people.
Can you just do us a favor and mute your stream before speaking?
Can you hear me now?
Yes, now it's good.