Melissa Reddick testifies for Mitchell-Lama Residence Coalition
Melissa Reddick of the Mitchell-Lama Residence Coalition, a statewide volunteer organization, urges passage of Intro 978 to raise the income cap, citing disturbing reports of high annual increases at Mitchell-Lama developments and sharing that she personally lost benefits after a capital improvement project left her homeless for two years.
Good afternoon, my name is Melissa Sengret, and I serve as treasurer of the Mitchell Lama Residence Coalition, commonly known as MLRC.
Founded in 1972, MLRC is a statewide grassroot all-volunteer organization whose mission it is to work and organize for the preservation
and future expansion of Mitchell Lama housing programs, both co-ops and rentals.
We identify, clarify, and solve common concerns of current and former Mitchell Lama residents working with elected officials and government agencies at all levels.
I am also a longtime resident of Espinel Gardens, a 1,876-unit Mitchell Lama co-op located in Harlem.
A co-op where 65% of us are on fixed income.
On behalf of the Mitchell-Lama Residence Coalition, I urge the committee to pass Intro 978, which will raise the income cap for those receiving screen-dream benefits
from $50,000 to $75,000.
In this time of burdensome inflation and ballooning housing costs, this increased income cap will allow our most vulnerable residents
to remain in their home.
Our membership appreciates your focusing on the problems they face to pay their monthly rent.
We have disturbing reports of high annual increases at many Mitchell Lama developments.
In July, the council heard about these increases
at its own oversight hearings.
Such increases fall heavily on our members who are disproportionately elderly and, as I said, living on fixed income.
We want to remain in our homes, those communities we built.
Please vote to intro.
To move intro 978 out of the committee and then support its passage by the council to protect some of our most vulnerable homes.
I lost my benefits because of capital improvement project that left me homeless for two years.
The formula also used to be needs to be adjusted because Medicaid is not included when they determine the eligibility of individual.
I thank you.
Melissa Sengredic submitted on behalf of the as treasurer of the as the executive board of the Mitchell Lama Residence Coalition.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next one.