When 18 college students and Habitat for Humanity affiliates from across New York State gathered in Albany this week to urge Gov. Cuomo and State Legislators push for affordable housing policies, they erected an eight-foot door on the Empire State Concourse and gathered hundreds of supportive signatures on the door.
However, on Tuesday, when they went to deliver the signed door to Gov. Cuomo, it was not permitted past security and into the Capitol Building. Yesterday after two days of negotiations among security officials, the Governor’s staff members and advocates, the door finally was allowed in and was delivered to Gov. Cuomo’s Office.
Habitat for Humanity advocates are asking Gov. Cuomo to:
- Increase funding for affordable housing
- Repeal vacancy decontrol and renew state rent laws
- Ensure that 10% of the state’s portion of the National Housing Trust Fund is allotted to affordable homeownership
The action was part of the annual Advocacy in Albany, a weeklong event sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of New York State, which represents 53 Habitat affiliates across the state. Throughout the week, college students learned how government works and met with elected officials to advocate for more funds and better affordable housing policies.
About African American Planning Commission
sending...
Affordable housing advocates have long expressed concerns that any change to the state’s programs would significantly reduce communities’ obligation to build cheap apartments for low-income tenants especially for college students.