Solomon Smart testifies for Bronx Works supporting bills

Good afternoon, everyone.

My name is Solomon Smart.

I serve as the Associate Vice President over Older Adult Services at Bronx Works.

And I'm happy to be here on behalf of Bronx Works in support of all the suite of bills here today.

I particularly love to talk just in support of Introduction 978A and Resolution 55.

We're all on the same team here.

I think I can't say anything really new.

I was surprised by Councilmember Hanif's information regarding the Bronx numbers.

So I'm glad that we're doing this.

I found an interesting report from 2022 on the rent freeze that showed that people on scree and dree for five to ten years save about $176 to $191 a month, which

can amount to about $2,000 a year or more.

And I don't think I need to emphasize how much that little bit of money would mean to older adults and disabled members of our communities.

And so we very much support this at Bronx Works.

We've been serving older adults since 1972.

It's very dear to our hearts.

So I thank the council for this meeting and for this opportunity.

Thank you.