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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 500-10
December 7, 2010

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION EXTENDING THE DATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT’S ALTERNATIVE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

"The final bill before me today is Introductory Number 405, sponsored by Council Members Chin, Gonzalez, Barron, Fidler, Gennaro, Greenfield, Lander, Nelson, Palma, and Rose.  Introductory Number 405 extends the effective date of the latest round of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development's Alternative Enforcement Program.

"Created by local law in 2007, the Alternative Enforcement Program was established as a means for HPD to promote housing safety in some of the City's most distressed residential buildings.  The program aims to increase the pressure on property owners to correct an accumulation of Housing Maintenance Code violations in a timely manner.  If an owner refuses to correct the violations, HPD will intervene, make the necessary repairs, and place a lien against the property to recuperate the money owed for the services.  Current law requires HPD to identify 200 buildings for inclusion in the AEP programs and requires the Department to notify owners of their inclusion in the program within thirty days of being selected.

"After three successful years of the Alternative Enforcement Program, HPD and the Council have proposed modifications to the program - introduced at last Wednesday's Stated Council Meeting.  As the discussion progresses on that legislation, it is important to delay the next round of the program in order to take full advantage of the new modifications while still complying with the law.

"I would like to thank HPD Commissioner Rafael Cestero and his staff along with my Office of City Legislative Affairs for working on this bill.  I would also like to thank the City Council for approving this legislation."







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser/Evelyn Erskine   (212) 788-2958




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