BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Congressman Edolphus “Ed” Towns, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and other elected representatives joined today at a press conference to highlight the importance of maintaining the affordability of Starrett City and advancing legislation to address this important issue.

“I am concerned that so many Brooklyn families are stressed and stretched during these turbulent economic times of rising unemployment and record high prices for everything from gas to food,” said Congressman Towns.  “With a shortage of affordable housing in Brooklyn, it is urgent now more than ever that we preserve the affordability of Starrett City because tenants deserve protections like the ones extended to homeowners to safeguard against the ills of our struggling housing market and economy.”

“I have made it clear that the sale of Starrett City must reflect our deep commitment to protecting the interests of our city’s working and middle-class families,” said Senator Clinton. “Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Towns and the cooperation of officials on all levels, we are able to ensure our residents’ concerns, including maintaining affordability, are heard loud and clear. As we struggle to address a disturbing national trend of rapidly declining affordable housing, Starrett City stands as a model of cooperation that proves affordability and profitability are not mutually exclusive.”

Congressman Towns, along with his Democratic colleagues from New York, voted to pass H.R. 3221, a landmark housing package, which includes legislation to enable Starrett City, the nation’s largest federally subsidized housing development, to remain affordable. Congressman Towns, Senator Schumer, Senator Clinton and a host of other officials at the federal, state and city level have been working to preserve the affordability of Starrett City since it was put on the auction block in late 2006. After the initial purchase of Starrett was blocked by HUD and other state and city housing agencies twice last year amid a great deal of public acrimony, the current owners began working with HUD, the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the NYS Housing Finance Agency, and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development on a plan that would allow the current owners to sell the property to a preservation purchaser under a pre-agreed framework.  This plan came to fruition on Wednesday, July 23rd when H.R. 3221, which includes the legislation introduced by Rep. Towns to preserve Starrett City, passed on the House floor by a vote of 272- 152. The Senate passed the measure on Saturday, July 26th by a vote of 72-13 with great bipartisan support.  The bill creates the conditions necessary for purchasers of Starrett City to secure the long-term financing necessary to purchase the property, therefore, maintaining the affordability of the units.  This bill is expected to be signed into law by President Bush early this week.

“This critical federal legislation is the result of a dynamic partnership between government, advocacy groups and, of course, the fighting tenants of Spring Creek—aka Starrett City. I commend Congressman Ed Towns for his commitment to the residents of Starrett City, Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton for their determination in keeping Starrett City affordable, as well as Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, HUD, the New York State Housing and Finance Agency, the NYC HPD, and the tenants and their association led by Marie Purnell for working together on a win-win solution. I am encouraged by the four finalists looking to purchase Starrett City.  I’m confident we will prove that New York City is indeed a ‘proud home to everyone from everywhere’—and we’re going to make sure it stays that way,” said Borough President Marty Markowitz.

“The passage of this important legislation represents a significant step in the right direction, but the battle is not over until the bright vision of Starrett City’s future is a reality,” said Rep. Towns. “I am focused on that and will remain committed to assure that this bill is signed into law.”

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