Paladino presents co-op resolution and criticizes Borden conditions

Thank you, Frank, and thank you to everybody who came out this morning.

You know, the main argument is simple.

Veterans served our country and should have the opportunity to use their VA home loan benefits to purchase a co-op or a condo, just as they use their benefits to purchase home loans.

That's how my mother and father got their home.

My father was a World War II vet.

And they got their loan through the veterans.

I'd like to see the expansion of home ownership opportunities, allowing eligible veterans, service members, and surviving spouses to use the VA-backed loans to purchase their co-ops.

We need to address New York City's housing markets.

Co-ops and condos make up a significant portion of New York City's housing market and can offer a more affordable alternative to any other types of homes.

Helping the veterans to build equality and equity.

Make it easier for eligible veterans to purchase a home, build financial stability, and put down roots in their communities.

The bottom line here is veterans should not face unnecessary barriers to home ownership simply because they live.

in a city where co-ops are common.

This resolution calls on Congress and the President of the United States to advance legislation that expands access to home ownership

and gives eligible veterans more housing options, particularly in New York City.

So we call upon, you know, Grace Meng introduced a great bill down in Washington.

I have a terrific relationship with Congressman Meng.

And I'd like to see this sped up through her work with me together at the state level.

So that's basically all I have to say about that.

Our veterans are not treated fairly.

We know that.

We visited Borden Avenue, and I have to say we're being very kind in our description of Borden Avenue.

Borden Avenue is an absolute disgrace.

And the idea that we only have the one homeless shelter here in Queens, known as Borden Avenue, and it's in the condition that it's in, is shameful.

And we should be ashamed of ourselves.

We passed a $126 million budget.

You hear me say this at almost every committee hearing I talk at.

We passed a $126 billion budget, and out of that budget, only $6.5 million goes to our veterans.

So as a committee, we have a lot of work to do.

And the first thing we need to do is stir up some real money, whether it comes from private entities, but we need to reinvent.

how the veterans are going to be, how we could finance the veterans.

Because obviously the city is falling behind.

We're going to get to a lot of that work today.

Okay, thank you, everybody.