Sharon Suggs testifies as disabled homeowner on rising costs

Hi, to distinguished members of the New York City Council Committee on Finance, thank you for giving me this opportunity.

My name is Sharon Suggs, and I'm a 30-plus year Forest Hills resident and a co-op owner.

I had to make a major transition after 25 years in the fashion industry due to my disability.

I am now on Social Security Disability, and it's very difficult to navigate resourced applications.

We have to figure out every form and program by ourselves, and it's very disheartening for both the forgotten disabled and senior citizens.

In the conversation, I found out about the Disability Homeowners Exemption Program.

Hence, meeting the criteria, I applied through the Public Engagement Office before the May 15th deadline, and as of today, I have heard no word.

Over the past five years, our maintenance fees have continued to rise, especially with Local Law 97 placing an increasing burden on all of us homeowners, particularly older

adults and those retirees on fixed incomes.

As mentioned before, Local Law 97 is approaching and the New York City local laws

is on the horizon.

We're deeply concerned about the added financial strain these regulations will bring.

Unfortunately, Social Security benefits and disability payments have not kept the pace with these rising costs.

Personally, I'm on disability and have experienced recent medical coverage cuts, while many of my older adult neighbors are facing steep increases in their insurance premiums.

If maintenance fees and assessments, co-op assessments continue to rise, our property tax will eventually follow suit.

This will create an unsustainable situation for long-term residents, especially seniors, veterans, and those with disabilities who may be forced

to leave the community that they've called home for decades with nowhere else to turn.

We respectfully ask for your support and advocacy on behalf of our vulnerable neighbors.

It's critical that our new policies take into account the impact of those least able to absorb the additional costs.

Thank you for your attention and time.

Thank you.

Does anyone here want to testify, haven't testified yet?

No?

Okay.

Thank you to everyone who testified.

If there's anyone right now in the room who did not testify,

Now we're going to move to virtual testimony.

Please wait for your name to be called to testify, and please select unmute when prompted.

Okay, well, first one.

We have Mabaki, Dia.

You still here?

That's where...

Oh, okay.

Please start your...

You may begin.

Alors, can you hear me?

Yes, yes.

You may begin.

Thank you.

Let me make sure you can see me as well.

Hello, everyone.

My name is Maka Cham.

I'm the Housing and Health Community Organizer here at Center for Independence of the Disabled New York.

We advocate for people with disabilities in the five boroughs of New York City.

I'm sorry, I didn't know I was called.

That's why I'm trying to get back to my draft.

Unfortunately, it might take me a minute or two, but in general, I really appreciate the time.

And thank you, Chair Lee.

Thank you, Chair Zhuang and Chair.

We cannot hear you.

Sorry, can you hear me now?

Yes.

I'm so sorry, I just stepped out of my testimony and trying to get back to where I was.

Yes, I strongly support the

Okay, he gets disconnected.

We cannot hear you or anything.

We're going to move to next person.

Diane W.

Rose.

You may begin.