New York, New York (April 11, 2024) – Today, New York City Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Shekar Krishnan, and advocates introduced the final bills of the Back Home Package. The housing legislation strategically addresses the operational inefficiencies and lack of City support that exacerbate trauma experienced by displaced tenants and affected landlords citywide, specifically after life-altering events like fires and natural disasters.
The Back Home Act is a comprehensive legislative solution designed to address the critical gaps and operational hurdles faced by both tenants and landlords in the aftermath of home displacements caused by fires, floods, or other emergencies. With more than 2500 homes vacated by DOB and HPD in the past two years, and more than 250 lithium-ion related battery fires in 2023, the need for legislation to support displaced New Yorkers and residential owners has never been more pressing. The legislation was directly informed by the firsthand experiences of affected neighbors and New Yorkers. The package includes a bill co-sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola, Chair of the Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, which would require FDNY to provide a guide to tenants in the immediate aftermath of a fire emergency response, similar to the guide developed by Council Member Gutiérrez that hundreds of New Yorkers have used over the past year.
“Nothing hits closer to home than issues of housing, and the devastation that displaced tenants experience is compounded by gaps in the City’s support system. These bills seek to address hardships holistically, providing both information for tenants, and pathways forward for landlords to repair homes,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, “A fire or flood are visible, but the displacement, confusion, and powerlessness that follows is invisible to most. The Back Home package shines a light on the challenges that our most vulnerable New Yorkers experience, and creates real solutions to keep people in their homes.”
“As a former housing attorney, I’ve represented tenants against the worst forms of landlord harassment. I’ve seen landlords deliberately plan demolition projects in occupied units, inviting vacate orders from the City to illegally kick out rent-stabilized tenants and raise rents. I’ve seen landlords purposely prolong repairs from fires or other emergencies until displaced tenants give up on any hope of returning to their homes. This legislation will ensure our government is protecting tenants and keeping them in their homes, not aiding in their illegal eviction,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan.
“Facing the devastation of a home fire is a heartbreaking experience for any New Yorker, and the additional stress of navigating the post-fire recovery process often only adds to the trauma experienced by our citizens. By passing this legislation we would create clear guidelines that will simplify and streamline agency responsibilities in the aftermath of a fire. This will help to make an already difficult time just a little bit easier for victims of tragedy in the future,” said Council Member Joann Ariola, Chair of the Committee on Fire and Emergency Management.
“Churches United for Fair Housing stands firmly in support of the Back Home Package and is thankful to Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez and Shekar Krishnan for championing comprehensive legislative solutions that not only address the critical gaps in support for displaced tenants and landlords but also acknowledge the pressing need for action in the wake of life-altering events like fires and natural disasters,” said Whitney Hu, Director of Civic Engagement and Research for Churches United for Fair Housing, an affordable housing services and advocacy organization with members and church partners across New York City. “It’s time to ensure that no New Yorker is left behind in their time of need, and these bills represent a crucial step towards achieving that goal.”
“Since becoming Council Member, my team and I have worked tirelessly to support over a hundred fire survivor families and families at the partially collapsed 1915 Billingsley Terrace, and one thing is clear: when New Yorkers’ lives are upended by disaster, our City must do better at coordinating supporting and stabilizing survivors,” said Council Member Pierina Sanchez, Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings. “These bills will keep families in their own communities, minimize disruption to children’s education, streamline access to their homes, and provide the assistance they need. I look forward to hearing the relevant legislation in this package, and ensure our city prioritizes protecting displaced tenants and working together to ensure that all New Yorkers receive the support they need during times of crisis.”
“A vacate order after a fire, flood, building collapse, or catastrophe can completely uproot a person’s life,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “The City must coordinate a response that protects tenants from harassment, keeps families in their communities, and provides a streamlined way for tenants to find stability during an extremely challenging time. Councilmembers Gutiérrez and Krishnan are introducing a vital package of legislation that will make our emergency responses more efficient, accessible, and trauma-informed.”
“When our neighbors are displaced, our City has a responsibility to do everything in its power to bring them back home as soon as possible,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Right now, we are seeing an alarming rise in fires, floods, and other emergencies that are displacing our neighbors. As we face a serious housing crisis in New York, we must do everything we can to keep our communities together and to ensure that our housing stock is repaired, replenished, and increased in a timely manner when faced with serious damages. I offer my thanks to Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez and Shekar Krishnan for introducing the Back Home Package to do just that.”
“Emergencies like fires and floods have the potential to change someone’s life in an instant. Tenants are at their most vulnerable when they are displaced, and the City has an obligation to ensure tenants have access to support resources, can remain near their homes, have a right to return, and that their belongings are safe. I commend Council Members Gutiérrez and Krishnan for their thoughtful proposals to support New Yorkers if disaster strikes,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera.
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ABOUT THE BACK HOME PACKAGE:
- Intro 749-2024 (Gutiérrez) provides support, resources, and communication to tenants and landlords to rebuild lives and homes, and coordinates with agencies for timely tenant re-entry.
- Intro 751-2024 (Gutiérrez) requires FDNY to provide displaced tenants with information on resources and the home repair process in the immediate aftermath of an emergency response.
- Res 307-2024 (Gutiérrez) asks the state to limit a landlord’s ability to indefinitely collect insurance payments, creating an incentive to complete repairs for faster tenant re-entry.
- Intro 750-2024 (Gutiérrez) requires the Department of Buildings to report on the length of time to repair vacated units, requires landlords to submit documentation about their efforts to make repairs as part of an application to demolish, and expands the Certificate of No Harassment program to safeguard tenants from demolition.
- Intro 607-2024 (Krishnan) mandates the HPD to relocate displaced tenants locally or nearby upon their request.
- Intro 608-2024 (Krishnan) directs HPD to send tenant relocation specialists to assist residents when a vacate order is issued, provide information in their preferred language, aid in accessing homes, and initiate an Article 7-A proceeding for building repairs if harmful conditions persist.
- Intro 609-2024 (Krishnan) requires HPD to disclose its utilization of the special repair fund, which is financed by fines from Housing Maintenance Code violations, for necessary repairs.
- To be introduced at the April 18th 2024 Stated Meeting, the City-Run Renters’ Insurance bill requires an assessment of the feasibility of a city-run, low-cost renters’ insurance product for New Yorkers.