Council Speaker Christine Quinn and NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Rafael Cestero announced proposed changes to the law to include asthma triggers, such as mold and vermin infestations, and to encompass more than twice as many units.
The program, which has allowed HPD to ensure that some of the worst buildings with violations across the five boroughs undergo repair, was signed into law by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in June 2007.
AEP puts landlords on notice to make comprehensive repairs to units in violation. If the landlords do not comply, HPD has the power to go in and make the repairs, billing the owner for the cost.
Cestero says with changes to the legislation, they would be able to bring larger buildings with more units under inspection.
The current law affects approximately 1,000 units. With the expansion in place, nearly 3,500 units would be affected.
With asthma triggers added to the list of violations, Quinn believes that the fruits of this expansion will be seen beyond building repairs, and will lead to reduced asthma emergency room visits in area hospitals.
“By holding landlords more firmly accountable, we can not only improve housing stock but improve people’s homes and prevent other children and newborns from becoming sick,” said Quinn.
The legislation will have its first hearing on Dec. 14 and could be passed in late December or early January. Quinn says she doesn't foresee any challenges in getting the legislation passed.
"With this legislation we acknowledge that mold and rodent infestation housing violations, that make a major contribution to the asthma epidemic in New York City, are just as serious as other major code infractions,” said Council Member Rosie Mendez, chairwoman of the Public Housing Committee and cosponsor of the bill.
A Brooklyn resident, and member of Make the Road New York shared her neighbor's story. Luisa Mejia has been living in the same apartment for 20 years and in that time has developed severe asthma that has brought her to the emergency room many times. She describes her apartment as being covered by mold, cockroaches, and mice. Her daughter, son, and grandson who also live in the apartment, have also developed asthma.
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