In addition to the economic challenges facing New York State; affordable housing and police brutality are primary issues that will be tackled by 57th District State Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries in 2010. In a standing room only State of the District Address at Pratt Institute Higgins Hall, Mr. Jeffries laid out his agenda for 2010. Regarding the recent dysfunction in the Assembly, he said the Mary J. Blige song; “No More Drama” will be his soundtrack for 2010.

Mr. Jeffries said the most pressing issue facing this community is the lack of affordable housing. He feels that the community is being “steamrolled” by gentrification. A block-by-block survey revealed that 66 luxury condos where build in district 57 in recent years. He said, “These condos weren’t built for us. They weren’t built for the middleclass.” The recent downturn in the economy has left the majority of these condominiums empty. This presented the opportunity for him to launch Project Reclaim. With the Project Reclaim initiative, the Assemblymember hopes to transform most of the empty condos into affordable homes. At his request, Priscilla Almodovar, Chief Executive Officer of the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) has set aside five million dollars to help 125 potential homebuyers purchase affordable apartments in empty luxury condominium buildings. The funds will be divided into $40,000 grants to help subsidize home ownership. Mr. Jefferies will also work with New York City Comptroller John Liu and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to encourage banks to free-up loans for community residents.

Mr. Jeffries will also work to enforce Section 3 of the 1968 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act. This Law requires New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to set aside for community residents 30% of all jobs, training and contract opportunities resulting from the federal government funding of local construction and renovation projects. He feels that in recent years NYCHA has failed to meet its Section 3 obligations. Under the 2008 stimulus plan, the federal government allocated $423 million for public housing in New York City. NYCHA has agreed to spend $108 of this in the 57th District. The Assemblymember said he is prepared to take NYCHA to court to make sure they live up to their Section 3 obligation.

Stemming from the July 2009 shooting of Shem Walker by an undercover NYPD officer in Clinton Hill, Mr. Jefferies has taken on the challenge of addressing NYC police use of deadly force towards young black and Latino men. He has called for enhance training in the use of deadly force; a permanent, independent state prosecutor to investigate police brutality; and a reform in the State’s change of venue rule. The Assemblymember said, “I have great respect for the police, but I want to make sure the police have great respect for us.” The district Attorney’s investigation in the Shem Walker case is ongoing.

Announcement:

• The Kings County State Office Building at 55 Hanson Place has been renamed The Shirley A. Chisholm State Office Building.