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Bill de Blasio on Welfare & Poverty
NYC Mayor; Democratic Presidential Challenger
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We need a president who has seen the face of poverty
It matters in this fight for the heart and soul of our party that we nominate a candidate who has seen the face of poverty and didn't just talk about it but gave people $15 minimum wage.
It matters that we nominate a candidate who saw the destruction wrought by a broken health care system and gave people universal health care.
It matters that we choose someone who saw the wasted potential of our children denied pre-K and gave it to every single one of them for free.
These are the things that I've done in New York and I want to do the same for this whole country, because putting working people first, it matters. We need to be that party again.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (first night in Miami)
, Jun 26, 2019
There's plenty of money to invest; it's in the wrong hands
This is supposed to be the party of working people. Yes, we're supposed to be for a 70 percent tax rate on the wealthy. This Democratic Party has to be strong and bold and progressive. Every time you talk about investing in people and their communities,
you hear folks say there's not enough money. What I say to them every single time is, there's plenty of money in this world, there's plenty of money in this country. It's just in the wrong hands. Democrats have to fix that.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (first night in Miami)
, Jun 26, 2019
1990s: Regional director in Pres. Clinton's HUD
Bill de Blasio began his career in public service in 1989 as part of David N. Dinkins' successful and historic mayoral campaign and worked in the Dinkins Administration. Over the next decade, Mr. de Blasio served as regional director at the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; as a school board member for Brooklyn School District 15; and as head of Hillary Rodham Clinton's historic campaign in 2000 for the U.S. Senate.
In 2002, Mr. de Blasio joined the New York City Council, representing Brooklyn's 39th district. During his two terms, Mr. de Blasio fought to improve public education, expand affordable housing,
protect tenants' rights, and reform social services for families and children. Elected Public Advocate in 2009, he pursued fairness for tenants, taxpayers, and students.
Source: Mayoral website NYC.gov Office of the Mayor
, May 3, 2019
Intensify City's anti-displacement and housing affordability
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today Vicki Been will serve as the new Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development, where she will intensify and transform the City's anti-displacement and affordability strategies and create economic opportunity
for all New Yorkers."As Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner, Vicki changed everything about affordable housing in NYC. As Deputy Mayor, she will dig deeper and ratchet up all our efforts to confront the biggest crisis facing our city:
affordability," said Mayor de Blasio. "She'll kick anti-displacement strategies into high gear and open doors of opportunity to people who are struggling. Vicki will be instrumental in the fight to make New York the fairest big city in America."
The Deputy Mayor leads the administration's efforts to grow and diversify NYC's economy, invest in emerging industries across the five boroughs, build a new generation of affordable housing, and help New Yorkers secure good-paying jobs.
Source: Mayoral press release, "Vicki Been," NYC.gov
, Apr 4, 2019
More affordable housing than ever, and fewer homeless
In 2018 we built and protected more affordable apartments than ever. The most since our Housing Department was founded. The City Council played a crucial role by passing the Access to Counsel Law, which has made such a difference--tens of thousands of
tenants now have their own lawyers, lawyers paid for by the City who stop illegal evictions. We're also showing public housing residents that we can begin to reverse decades of disinvestment and make their lives better. The NYC Housing Authority has
a plan to bring brand new everything to 175,000 NYCHA residents, from new roofs to new kitchens and bathrooms.
We still grapple with too many people in this town who need our help because they're homeless. We moved more than 2,000
homeless New Yorkers off the streets and into a permanent situation where they can be taken care of and they can get the help they need. And we closed more than 180 shelters that didn't meet our standards for health and safety, and we will close more.
Source: 2019 State of the City address
, Jan 10, 2019
Recognize & legalize basement apartments & granny flats
Bring Basements and Granny Flats into the Legal System: There are thousands of unsanctioned housing units across the city in basements and above garages--but the city doesn't recognize them.
That deprives tenants of legal protections, and prevents landlords from making the kinds of upgrades that would ensure the health and safety of families living in them.
Bill de Blasio will end the practice of pretending these homes and their families don't exist. As mayor, he will bring them into the regulated housing system, ensure they meet
legal standards for safety, and work to bring them under rent-regulation, so their tenants will have the same basic protections as New Yorkers in traditional apartments
Source: 2013 Mayoral campaign website, www.billdeblasio.com
, Oct 22, 2013
Page last updated: Dec 14, 2019