The UJO column of September 5th (front page headline, top item on p.34, and continued on p.92) reported on a change in the New York City Housing Authority's policy in regards to "downsizing" apartments when there is a reduction in the family size. This policy adversely affected elderly residents in the Williamsburg Public Housing developments, who were forced to relocate to smaller apartments after their family shrank, and the change means major relief for such families.
The settlement was reached with the Legal-Services NYC-Bronx, which filed a lawsuit against the policy in 2012. Among the agreement provisions are the following:
* Residents of apartments that are not extremely under-occupied - i.e. they have only one additional bedroom above the guidelines - will not be forced to relocate.
* NYCHA will have to respond promptly and in writing to requests to add additional residents to the household.
* Requests from tenants to accommodate their special needs, due to their health situations etc., will have to be reviewed and honored if substantiated. Also, tenants who are fit to relocate, may request a floor and location that shouldn't add special hardship, considering their health condition.
* Tenants may request that the alternative department that they are offered should be in the same development where they reside, or another specific development of their choosing.
* When ordered to relocate, families have 14 days to start a Grievance procedure to appeal the order.
"This is yet one more unjust policy that the de Blasio Administration agreed to end, rather than fighting in court to continue with a bureaucratic process that caused hardship to many families, especially the elderly," Said Rabbi David Niederman. "We commend the administration for instituting more accommodating policies that takes in consideration the clients. That reflects the Mayor's compassion towards those depending on government assistance. We will - Go-d willing - work with families effected by "downsizing" to ensure their rights."
