Res 0171-2014

By Council Members Van Bramer, Torres, Chin, Constantinides, Levine, Mendez, Richards, Rose and Gentile Whereas, The New York City Housing Authority ("NYCHA") is a public housing authority with 334 developments, 2,596 buildings, and 178,914 public housing units, making it the largest public housing provider in North America; and Whereas, NYCHA currently serves 176,221 families and 403,736 residents; and Whereas, Of those families, 47.5 percent are working families, 11.1 percent are on public assistance and 41.4 percent are on fixed incomes, including Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, a pension or Veteran's benefits; and Whereas, According to NYCHA, the average household income for families living in public housing is $22,994; Whereas, According to the United States Census Bureau, the median household income for New York City is $51,865; and Whereas, NYCHA residents pay an average monthly rent of $436; and Whereas, Rent can be paid by phone, mail, e-payment on NYCHA's website or in person at a payment center; and Whereas, Residents who elect to pay rent using a debit card are charged a convenience fee by NYCHA's payment processing vendor; and Whereas, According to NYCHA, the amount of the convenience fee charged depends upon the amount of residents' monthly rent; and Whereas, In light of the extent of NYCHA residents living on fixed incomes and the amount of low- and very low-income households, NYCHA residents should not be charged a convenience fee when electing to pay their rent using a debit card; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Housing Authority to stop charging tenants a debit card convenience fee when a rent payment is made using a debit card. GP Res 724/2011 LS 1025/2014 3/18/2014