“Today’s emergency oversight hearing of the Committees on Public Housing and Finance was convened to examine the impact federal sequestration will have on NYCHA’s 2014 budget. Though we have long known sequestration could impact the budget, it is alarming that the loss of millions of dollars in federal funding is only now coming to light.

I am deeply concerned that a $205 million dollar reduction to NYCHA would result in the loss of essential services for thousands of New Yorkers.

NYCHA’s senior and youth centers are an integral part of public housing developments across the City. The closure of these community centers, and resulting loss of hundreds of jobs, would have a detrimental impact on the tenants who utilize these services.

The City Council will work closely with the Bloomberg administration to ensure NYCHA can responsibly address the needs of its residents.”

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