State Assembly 58 Monique Chandler-Waterman

Website: https://moniqueforny.com/

Social media: @MoniqueForNY Moniquechandlerwaterman

What type of housing do you currently live in?
Own a co-op, condo or private home
Are you, or have you ever been, a landlord?
Yes
1. If yes, where & how many apts. do/did you own?
  My house is in Brooklyn with two apartments
Does your campaign accept contributions from real estate developers (including related individuals), corporate lobbyists, organizations that participate in the carceral system, and/or landlords?
No
Have you ever worked in, or had another affiliation with, the Real Estate industry? No
Have any of your campaign or advisory staff held a position as a corporate lobbyist or an executive role with the Real Estate industry?
No
1. If so, how can we be assured you will have tenants’ interests in mind? (250 characters)

Values and Vision

Do you believe housing is a human right?
Yes
- If so, what does that mean to you? (500 characters)
  We must reject the premise that safe, permanent housing is only accessible to those who can pay for it. Every person in New York is entitled access to affordable, quality housing just as they are entitled to our other basic human rights like freedom to vote or worship.
What type of action have you taken in the past around issues of housing justice? (500 characters)
Participated in rallies with housing advocates when tenants were threatened by their landlords who were trying to illegally evict them. Developed and hosted a five-week housing listening tour, where I had housing advocates, city and states agencies and community members to advise of available resources when the eviction moratorium was ending. This allowed tenants and homeowners to understand their rights and responsibilities and provide them with the necessary resources to assist them.
What do you think are the most pressing Housing issues & what action would you take to address them as a state representative? (1000 characters)
New York is in desperate need of more housing. New York has one of the most expensive housing markets in the country and people are being pushed out of their homes, renters and homeowners alike, and more must be done to keep people housed in the communities they know. We must provide affordable housing that is reflective of the median income of the community where it is being built. We must create more affordable housing to get people out of shelters and into permanent homes they can afford. We also need to invest in more supportive housing for those that need it, so they are not chronically in and out of the shelter system.
Have you or anyone close to you (relation, friend, etc) been evicted or been threatened with eviction?
Yes
Have you ever had to fight a landlord for repairs or faced harassment?
Yes
Do you believe that housing should be de-commodified?
Yes
- Please explain your answer (500 characters)
  This is directly tied to my belief that housing is a human right and should be treated as such. Housing is seen as a profit-making enterprise and not seen as a thing that everyone should be entitled to regardless of income. We also need to invest in more supportive housing for those that need it, so they are not chronically in and out of the shelter system. Housing stability benefits the community at large. Housing security fosters safe neighborhoods and community cohesiveness. Housing stability allow for better outcomes for children and youth bringing better outcomes educationally.
Do you believe in publicly owned and controlled housing?
Yes
What is one rent and/or eviction protection you would enact if you had the opportunity? (500 characters)
I would enact the Good Cause Eviction bill as it would protect tenants from unfair evictions and cap rent increases in unregulated apartments.
Do you agree that all evictions are bad?
No
- If no, why not? (500 characters)
  There are some instances in which landlords may be forced to evict tenants. For example, landlords may need to evict tenants due to willful neglect or property damage.
Do you support the concept of universal rent control?
Yes

Overview on Housing

Do you support the NYCHA 2.0 Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) and other privatization schemes?
No
1. Please explain why or why not (250 characters)
  Residents have been routinely shut out of the planning process and this has only served to stoke fears about displacement. Public housing must remain public.
NYCHA has suffered from chronic underfunding, neglect, and disrepair. What do you see as the best strategies to rectify these problems? (500 characters)
NYCHA needs a massive infusion of funding to begin addressing the decades long problems of aging housing stock which includes consistent problems with even the basic services like heat, hot water and cooking gas.
Do you support setting aside 15% of all units created in new state-subsidized affordable housing projects for homeless families and individuals?
Yes
How would you use your office to put pressure on landlords to make repairs and stop harassing tenants? (500 characters)
I would work with housing advocates and legal services to make sure tenants know their rights and that they do not need to suffer abusive language or behavior. Tenants are entitled to housing upkeep and should live free from fear of harassment from their landlords.
Do you support regulating the 300,000 deregulated rent-stabilized apartments?
Yes
Will you support increased funding and oversight hearings of DHCR’s Office of Rent Administration to ensure timely responses?
Yes
How will you ensure people who owe back rent due to COVID are not evicted and do not continue to owe money? (500 characters)
The state must continue to fund and provide legal services to help tenants in addition to adding funds for direct rental assistance.
Would you support financial and criminal penalties against landlords and brokers that deny a prospective tenant housing based on using a tenant blacklist?
Yes

Current Bills and Campaigns

Do you support Good Cause Eviction Protections?
Yes
If Good Cause is not passed this session, what will you do to ensure it gets passed in 2023? (500 characters)
I would immediately become a bill co-sponsor and work with the prime sponsor, housing advocates and tenants to make sure it is passed next session.
Will you support ending MCIs?
Yes
Will you commit to fully funding the Housing Access Voucher Program?
Yes
Do you support the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA)?
Yes
How will you support tenants in your district opting into TOPA? (500 characters)
I would hold workshops and town halls and provide information for tenants so they would be aware of their new rights. I would partner with other local in-district organizations to conduct outreach on the program and its benefits.
Do you support the move to legalize basement apartments and ADUs?
Yes
Do you support tenants’ right to collective bargaining?
Yes
Do you support 421a or Gov Hochul’s proposed 485w?
Yes
Do you support fully funding the Excluded Workers fund?
Yes
Do you support the “Excluded No More” bill?
Yes
Are you committed to making sure every tenant in the state has free access to counsel in Housing Court?
Yes
Will you commit to fully funding statewide Right to Counsel in 2023’s budget?
Yes