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Public Housing Chair Councilman Ritchie Torres Endorses Espaillat For Congress

March 25, 2016 6:11 AM·
PUBLIC HOUSING CHAIR RITCHIE TORRES 
ENDORSES ESPAILLAT FOR CONGRESS
Four NYCHA Tenant Association Presidents Endorse Espaillat
(New York, NY ) Council Member Ritchie Torres, Chairman of the Committee on Public Housing, four NYCHA tenant association presidents and scores of NYCHA residents gathered on the steps of City Hall today to endorse Adriano Espaillat for Congress.
Espaillat, who has continually called for Congress to “get off the side lines” when it comes to public housing, announced he would call for the creation of a federal matching funds system for city and state investments in NYCHA, in addition to targeted federal review of developments where there is a high incidence of maintenance complaints and potential health hazards.

 

 

Councilman Torres partnered with Espaillat last year to help secure an historic $100 million state investment in the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
“I partnered with Senator Espaillat to help secure state funding for NYCHA and I have seen his deep commitment to public housing first hand,” said Councilman Ritchie Torres.  “We need Adriano’s energy and passion in Congress to get the federal government to reinvest in public housing.”
Senator Espaillat was also endorsed at this event by tenant association presidents: Paulette Shomo, of Marble Hill Houses; Nathaniel Greene, of Dyckman Houses; Carmen Quiñones, of Douglass Houses; and Carlton Davis, of Grant houses.
“From roofing to boilers, our buildings need to be renovated for the 21st century, and it will take a major investment from Congress. We need Adriano in Congress because he understands the problems we face and will deliver results for our tenants,” said Douglass Houses’ TA President Carmen Quinones.
Torres’ endorsement comes on the heels of endorsements by New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Bronx lawmakers, State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblyman Victor Pichardo. Espaillat won the Bronx in 2014 when he challenged retiring 45-year incumbent Charles Rangel. He has pledged to bring a new focus to the Bronx, and committed to opening up a Bronx office on day one of his first term in Congress.
The 13th congressional district stretches from Harlem to Inwood in upper Manhattan and covers parts of the Bronx.
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Author: Michael Benjamin is a public affairs consultant and an editorial board member at The New York Post. He is a former contributing columnist to the NY Post, City and State NY and other publications. He is a former Member of the New York State Assembly (2003-2010) and once led the Bronx Board of Elections. Since leaving office, he has appeared as a commentator on TWC NY1, Bronxnet OPEN, Good Day NY, and Al Jazeera America. His columns and blog focus on corruption, government, education, politics, redistricting, nuclear energy and race. He holds a B.A. in political science from Syracuse University.