The 4 point NYCHA PLAN
We must act now to address critical NYCHA issues.
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is a vital government service that affordably houses 1/2 million New Yorkers. However since the past several decades, there has been a steady decline in government funding for NYCHA projects leading to substandard and often unsafe living conditions. The divestment has exacerbated the need for critical renovations and has directly impacted families living in NYCHA housing that have an average family income of $25,000.
Dr. Raja Flores has seen NYCHA residents arrive in his operating room for years with lung cancer resulting from asbestos and second-hand smoke exposure. The long pattern of NYCHA-inaction and neglect by both the Democratic and Republican politicians motivated Flores to run for mayor and convinced thousands of New Yorkers to petition to get him onto the November ballot.
While past mayors and current mayoral candidates have avoided addressing the complex and difficult issues facing some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers living in NYCHA, Dr. Flores has spent his career treating this population. As mayor, Dr. Flores will institute critical and meaningful policies to improve living conditions and relieve the stream of NYCHA residents arriving in the operating room with terminal illness.
“As mayor, reforming and funding NYCHA will be my #1 priority. Unlike most politicians, I work day in and day out with the New Yorkers living in NYCHA housing. I know how important this funding is for this city to thrive. I pledge 100% transparency in all NYCHA budget expenditures. You will know where every single dollar of federal, state, and local funding is going.”
- Dr. Raja Flores
Safe & healthy homes
Safe housing is a cornerstone of thriving neighborhoods. Lethal asbestos lingers in NYCHA walls, lead paint has not been completely removed, and mold contaminants often go unaddressed. The figure reveals how the needs of NYCHA residents are disproportionately ignored by bad government policy.
My administration will demand public transparency in the spending of federal, state, and city funding allocated for the restoration of NYCHA apartments. We will never cut corners on lead, asbestos, and mold inspections, as has been the case in the past. Safety in our cities' communities must be paramount
Local business
We will subsidize small businesses to set up shop within NYCHA. We will incentivize NYCHA residents to work in these businesses. The corner Bodega is a staple of New York local economies. It’s time to create flourishing economic ecosystems for the nearly half million NYCHA residents.
Education
I was educated every step of the way in this great city, from elementary to undergraduate, medical school, and surgical residency. Good education remains the essential foundation to thrive for children living in NYCHA housing. Studies have shown that tenant-based educational vouchers reduce high school dropout rates and increase the likelihood of graduation. We will incentivize school performance with wifi programs and educational vouchers.
Home Ownership
The city government has failed to create generational wealth for the tenants of NYCHA, in great part due rent payments, with no opportunity for home equity. We will create payment systems that allow NYCHA residents to own equity in their property. In 1862, Abraham Lincoln passed the Holmstead Act, allowing hundreds of thousands of Americans to own public lands. My administration will establish community land trusts, in which tenants have the opportunity to own their homes. A vertical Holmstead act in NYC. The trusts will be made up of residents currently living in NYCHA. Consultants will be called upon to help guide and educate tenants but only tenants will have the final say. This will be Community-led development on community-owned land with the ultimate goal of providing home ownership and generational wealth.
JOIN THE TEAM
Raja knows that New Yorkers already have the solutions we need to build a better New York City. Join as a volunteer to help create change from the ground up!