City Council Candidate Responses

District 40

1. Please briefly share your background and note any experiences you may have in engaging older adults, whether professionally or personally, and in connecting with the non-profit sector.

Edwin Raymond

My experiences with the community have been filled with diverse experiences because of my time in law enforcement. Meeting with many different people that come from various occupations have led to my time working with older adults through assisting them in a professional capacity. In 2014, my childhood friend and I co-founded a non-profit named, Preparing Leaders of Tomorrow (PLOT), a mentorship program for at-risk youth living in Brooklyn from the ages of 9-21 years old. This nonprofit is specific in its mission to connect youth with mentors that are in their own communities. The nonprofit sector is an avenue for folks to explore the ways we can connect with our communities, may that be in a hyperlocal sense, or on a broader scale.

Harriet L Hines

I am a single mother of three children, 43 year resident of my community and a person with a physical disability. I am co-vice president of PS 139, President of Parade Grounds Friends of Parks, elected Democratic County Committee member, elected member of CEC 22 and Candidate for City Council. I have worked engaging older adults through my involvement with senor populations (most of which are disabled) to advocate for their rights for senior housing and accessible healthcare. I have Advocated for people with disabilities and seniors with disabilities through non profits such as ADAPT.

2. As we live longer and healthier lives, what are your priorities with respect to promoting equity across all ages in our City?

Edwin Raymond

With the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been crucial to protecting older adults that are more at risk of health effects. It is a reminder that we need accessible transportation, accessible fresh produce, and quality healthcare. Across the city, specifically in Brooklyn, we have transit deserts and have seen the barriers to finding vaccine locations due to technology and disability status. Our priorities have to be viewed through a disability lens to ensure we provide the necessary tools for folks with disabilities. Not only affordable and accessible transportation is a priority, but the distance between our schools, our hospitals, our urban green spaces and grocery stores. Food insecurity is one of the main issues within District 40, but also in other boroughs in New York City, such as the Bronx. Folks that do not have access to fresh produce are intertwined with the social determinants of health. Another priority is the quality of our housing and ensure its affordability is reflective of the local communities. Our housing needs to be up to a set standard to ensure every individual has clean air and clean water.

Harriet L Hines

Promoting equity through all ages begins with making sure that we elect city officials that share the ideology of equity. We know that the climate is dictated by laws and proposed legislation. The way that we are currently witnessing Advocacy for the Civil Rights of marginalized populations, we can also fight to end discrimination across all ages in NYC. Fight to end discrimination by creating a system that is more universal, i.e. housing and healthcare. My priority is to increase accessibility and inclusivity for all!

3. Do you support increasing the budget for the Department for the Aging (DFTA), which funds programs such as Senior Centers, NORCs, home-delivered meals, and more? Please give rationale for your response and specify any specific funding changes you are most committed to achieving.

Edwin Raymond

Yes, I strongly support increasing the budget for the Department for the Aging. Senior Centers need to have full staffed kitchens and overall well-functioning operations. NORCs can be improved with more funding as it will provide more efficient home-delivery meal services. We saw home-delivery meal services leave many seniors behind. Without increasing the budget for senior services, we continue an over-reliance on city-run programs. There needs to be empowerment of our seniors to ensure they can have resources that are sustainable and consistent.

Harriet L Hines

I am in support of increasing the budget for the DFTA. As people age they need to feel included in society. Just because they are aging does not mean that they can not be contributing members of society. Many can still contribute their acquired skills and knowledge to increase productivity. Seniors can also impart knowledge to the younger generations.

Also, the DFTA can place a senior citizen at a work site to assist an organization; thereby, enhancing their services. In 2015, I helped to facilitate the process of getting DFTA workers into a church where I served as Secretary. Serving as the primary contact with DFTA, we were able to employ several workers that helped the church, and the employment helped to offset their income.

With many low income, and fixed income persons there is a need to offset income, as the cost of living is astronomical. Including DFTA workers can help boost the economy as it increases worker productivity, the imparting of knowledge, and the boosting of esteems, DFTA is a much needed support system for the aging population. Therefore, I recommend an increase in the budget for DFTA.

4. Do you support implementing a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for city-contracted human service workers and the full implementation of the Indirect Cost Rate (ICR) initiative for non-profits? Please explain your response.

Edwin Raymond

Yes, I support this increase and the full implementation of the Indirect Cost Rate initiative for non-profits. Due to underfunded government contracts, nonprofits find themselves with barriers to pay rent and have the capacity for human resources and IT. We have to ensure there is funding that can create a foundation for successful implementation for nonprofits.

Harriet L Hines

Human Service workers are much needed in society now, and especially during Covid. They help people who are homeless meet their basic needs. Now, while the city is working on plans to address homelessness and their acquisition of permanent housing these workers have an increased workload and mental stress. With this, I support a COLA for Human Service workers. Wit an inadequate income, they too, are one paycheck away from homelessness and joining the population that they serve.

I support the full implementation of of the ICR initiative for nonprofits. The initiative reimburses the true indirect costs of human service providers such as rent, human resources and IT. Providers are in need of the extra help to stay afloat with the increased demand in services. With increased demand there is a need for increased supply. In this case, e need more workers, more budget to hire them, and monetary assistance to exist.

5. Given that many older New Yorkers rely on limited fixed incomes and would prefer to age in community, rather than entering costly nursing homes, how will you address the need for affordable senior housing with services for a growing older population? How will you evaluate/respond to affordable senior housing proposals during ULURP?

Edwin Raymond

We need to revamp the Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption Program (SCRIE) and create tax credits to encourage age-friendly renovations to apartments and homes. Thorough in-depth racial impact studies should be tools of evaluation to consider community displacement. We need to understand the barriers to adequate housing for seniors of color. There needs to be more oversight in the City Council Environmental Quality Review process and constant communication of the City Environmental Quality Review technical manual. Residents end up putting in their input on land use decisions and rezoning after projects have already been planned. Renovations that are made for a growing older population can possibly take much longer to add to residential properties, which is why there needs to be accountability in the ULURP process. We need increased communication and participation in land use decisions, which is a core responsibility of City Council. Providing adequate time for residents to speak on land use and their neighborhoods is crucial to ensuring accessibility to Council Hearings and Community Board Subcommittee meetings.

Harriet L Hines

I will advocate for Supportive and Affordable Housing for seniors and disabled populations. Many of these people prefer to age in the community rather than nursing homes. As an Activist for the Civil Rights of marginalized populations, if elected as a member of City Council, I propose for advocate for more affordable senior housing, supportive housing and integrated housing. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities take the income of seniors, leaving them with nothing. If they have housing that they can afford and to live independently and are integrated into society they do not have to live the rest of their lives as outcasts.

Specifically, in my District, there is not a ULURP or Senior committee at our Community Board. I propose to encourage people in the district to formulate a committee that reflects the population in the community, and one that will be involved in the decision making process when it comes to development in the district.

6. While many older adults wish to be connected, many lack the financial resources or training necessary to fully access technology, exacerbating the digital divide. How would you encourage the City to address this?

Edwin Raymond

First, we need free broadband for all residents of New York City. WiFi is one of the most crucial ways to be connected and unreliable WiFi is what keeps folks from attempting to access technology. We can help older adults through City Council taking the time to set up a mail plan to households that may still have landlines. Physical mail can provide instructions on how to call into City Council hearings and/or subcommittee meetings. City Council needs to devise a plan of robocalls that can go out to folks’ households explaining how to call into meetings as well. With physical mail, we can provide multiple languages as well as other options for our older community members to be more involved with a growing digital world.

City Council Members can offer training webinars for an array of services, may that be applying for meal delivery services, vaccine appointments, polling locations, voting by mail processes, and other constituent services. If elected, my office will be a hub of staff to assist folks with technology-related questions. We have to ensure our offices are structured to be the most efficient in assisting with referrals and services.

Harriet L Hines

The City can provide training or programs to help the digital divide so that seniors can become more technologically savvy. . Grants should be accessible for seniors to be able to afford to obtain technology Obtaining technology should be mandatory and access to it should be demanded.. There is an increased need for communication with seniors and the disabled. They should be included in society and properly informed. Without technology they are shut out. It is obvious that the City This again, is the fight for Accessibility and Inclusivity.

7. During COVID-19, Senior Centers continued to work remotely, offering services in new ways to ensure their clients’ needs were met. To date, providers have not been authorized to operate in-person, despite restaurants, movies, and other entities, which older adults could also attend, being open. Further, community-based organizations, in many cases, have not been leveraged in the new meal delivery system. What are ways that you feel the City should work with nonprofits and engage older adults in the event of a future emergency?

Edwin Raymond

There needs to be a master list of all mutual aid networks, non-profit organizations and community fridges. The City can work together to mail surveys to seniors in Senior Centers for any recommendations from them to see if they would like a community fridge close by the center. We can do the same on receiving any recommendations from older adults on renovations to Senior Center kitchens. In 2017, Nutrition Kitchens was an initiative implemented by the Department of the Aging, destigmatizing seeking help in terms of food security. We can revamp this initiative with a focus on participatory budgeting processes. Older adults can be engaged by offering recommendations to their own Senior Center kitchens, not only improving the kitchen but keeping Senior Centers accountable for providing quality food. Also, they can have options to offer suggestions for staff structure to see the possibility of staff being able to provide classes and resources on nutrition and sustainability. We can ask seniors how their experiences were during the COVID-19 pandemic, how significant public benefits were to them, and how we can improve in our readiness of an emergency. It is important to note that City Council Members need to have a system in place to manage data and recommendations and bring these to non-profit organizations and mutual aid networks.

Harriet L Hines

It is obvious that the City did not include seniors in their recovery plan. Services to the seniors have been overlooked and there has been no evacuation plan for seniors and the disabled in case of an emergency. I will advocate for these things through my representation. Seniors should be allowed to congregate if other populations are able to

The City should work nonprofit programs by giving the ability to engage with seniors and the much needed resources to aid them. Seniors should have access to food programs through community based organizations. An increased budget to increase provision should be allotted. Seniors should be aware of their point persons and organizations for contact. With this, technology and knowledge of how to use it will increase their access and strengthen their evacuation plan and access to scial services that in many cases can help with future emergencies.

8. With 1 in 5 New Yorkers over the age of 60, what are the changes you would seek to make to create a more age-friendly district? Please consider addressing the physical infrastructure of your district (walkability, accessibility, etc.), health care access, safety net resources, and other district specific items of note.

Edwin Raymond

We have to approach our transit systems with an emphasis on accessibility. Investments have been made into transportation services, however we need an interactive map of what bus stops can provide truly accessible transit. It is crucial to see the progress of the investments in order to see what needs to be changed or reassess why transit accessibility plans are taking much longer. Land use is one of the biggest issues in District 40. When we allow luxury apartments or mixed use buildings with “affordable” units to be built, we also take up that space that could have been used for a truly affordable, quality grocery store with fresh produce. This can be applied for healthcare clinics, an office for public benefits, and cultural spaces, especially with District 40’s diverse ethnic makeup. We have to ensure our land use decisions have complete community involvement and reforming the ULURP process is one of the ways we can create a more-age friendly district. Community boards can have more than advisory roles when it comes to land-use decisions, and a more thorough environmental impact report as well as a racial impact report. Older adults of color are still more vulnerable to displacement, which is why we need to understand the intersections of age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, economic status, etc.

Harriet L Hines

1 in 5 New Yorkers over the age of 60 are disabled and on a fixed income. They do not have the equal access to the district as others. As a person with a physical disability, though not a senior, I can relate to this question. Our district need to improve its infrastructure by creating more curb cuts, train stations that are accessible to the disabled, sidewalks that have traction to prevent falling, proper snow removal, stores and restaurants that are accessible to those in wheelchairs, etc.

I would fight for the NY Healthcare Act that is encouraging universal healthcare for all. Many seniors in our district can not afford quality healthcare and have access to the bare minimum. I will fight for he creation of more healthcare facilities in the district that can accommodate seniors and where they are prioritized. These health care facilities can also serve as their connector to social services. A senior can obtain a Companion and it can provide a haven for safety and resources. I will make it my mission to have a more age friendly district.

9. In the event of a budget shortfall, how would you push for the City to close the gap? Are there agencies or programs you feel should or should not absorb cuts? Please be specific.

Edwin Raymond

One of the biggest agencies that should absorb cuts is the NYPD. It is still an over bloated budget with an inefficient management of spending that leads to wasted funds and law enforcement being involved in many situations where they are not needed. Cuts may include, dismantling the NYPD’s Housing Bureau and dividing personnel adequately between the precincts. This would drastically eliminate the need for funding for roles such as a Housing Commander, associated personnel and Housing Chief. We can disband NYPD from Homeless Outreach and Subway Diversion Programs, remove police from related roles and cut the related costs from the NYPD expense budget. Cuts in new hires can be ensured by assessing the efficiency of uniformed personnel in order to lessen the constant need for new academy classes. This will also be shown in the removal of NYPD officers from non-violent mental health response. The funds that are divested from the NYPD need to be reallocated to create and expand existing community based organizations who can instead respond to non-essential crime calls, to nursing homes, adult homes, enriched housing and certain assisted living facilities to ensure they have standby power that is sufficient to maintain. These funds can be reallocated to social services that include but are not limited to, rental assistance, food assistance, temporary emergency housing, and disability access as well. Other ways to bring these funds into different agencies is revamping certain programs and creating initiatives that can jumpstart healthcare clinics, educational after-school programs, home meal delivery systems, and providing resources for community gardens.

Harriet L Hines

NYC Health and Hospitals, DOE, and DHS should not absorb the cuts. Programs that are not showing any successful outcomes such as the THRIVE program that is put in place by Shirlaine McCrae should be cut to absorb the gap. The program has $800 million dollars that is unaccounted for and the state of New York, and my district has been compromised. There has been an increase of people with unaddressed mental health issues that are in New York and in our district.

10. How should your constituents look to measure your success in achieving your responses outlined above?

Edwin Raymond

Constituents can measure my success through both intangible and tangible outcomes. My vision involves creating sustainable infrastructure, where our transit systems will be more accessible, faster, and affordable. We need more protected bike lanes and through active campaigns to understand the community’s needs and suggestions, we can make direct changes to where certain areas of the district have a transit desert. Office hours will be provided for constituents and a poll can be used to measure how many of the folks believe my office is accessible to the public. This may include the number of options of how folks can access my office hours, how many hours are offered throughout the week, and how many language interpreters there are that can include multiple communities, including the blind and deaf community.

Harriet L Hines

My constituents should look to measure my success in achieving my responses above by seeing me actively advocate for change with the issues. Though not a senior, as a member of the disabled community they will see me as a direct representation for their population. They will measure my success by seeing me get the job done!