Family Values and Affordable Housing; lets not let developers get rich at the expense of housing our families in New York City.

I applaud the New York City Council’s calls to reform the 421 A program. But I do not believe that the City Council’s ruling goes far enough to help this city’s working families stay and prosper here. The health, vibrancy and character of this city depends on laws that encourage building of units which can house growing families. We should not seek to build housing which only benefits single people or childless couples. Giving tax breaks to developers who bring to market studios and one bedrooms as affordable housing units sends the wrong message about who we are trying to encourage to stay and prosper in NYC. Affordable, multiple bedroom housing should be the goal of any changes in the 421 A and also 421 B laws seeking to create new housing. If developers wish to use tax breaks to develop property, the 421 A and B law should provision affordable housing units be of ample size to encourage families.

The Berger Commission has had the necessary but non-enviable task of compiling a report and making recommendations to reduce New York State hospital costs, spiraling Medicaid costs and still maintain/improve the quality of health care service. I would like to commend the commission for their concerned and thorough job.

I commend the Commission for their efforts but beg to differ with their conclusions calling for the closure of several NYC hospitals, particularly those situated in Brooklyn.

The Commissions conclusion that underutilization of hospital beds is a primary indicator of a lack of need for those beds is faulty at best. At worst, it is indicative of a failure to consider the possibility that many people served by these hospitals can’t afford the beds and/or don’t have access to basic health care that would result in required in-patient care.