State Senate 25 Jabari Brisport

Website: https://jabariforstatesenate.com

Social media: @JabariBrisport @JabariBrisport

What type of housing do you currently live in?
Unregulated Rental Apt
Are you, or have you ever been, a landlord?
No
1. If yes, where & how many apts. do/did you own?
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)
  As a socialist, I fundamentally see housing as a human right, not a commodity. It means that it is our duty to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing full-stop. To that end, I’ve proudly taken the Homes Guarantee Pledge and have refused to accept donations that come from the real estate lobby or developers and have and will continue to make true housing justice for all a priority as a citizen, activist, and elected official.
What type of action have you taken in the past around issues of housing justice? (500 characters)
I have shown up to stand in solidarity with tenants in my district who are facing harassment and eviction by landlords, while at the same time, in the state legislature I fight alongside an incredible coalition to pass Good Cause Eviction. In my first term as State Senator, I helped to pass legislation that restricted foreclosures and evictions for two years (S.50001) and see that as a first step in the pursuit of true housing justice.
What do you think are the most pressing Housing issues & what action would you take to address them as a state representative? (1000 characters)
I think one of the of the most pressing issues is the passage of Good Cause. As I said above, one action I have taken and will continue to take is to show up and stand with tenants who are being threatened with eviction just because the landlord wants to rake in more profit and fight in the state legislature for the passage of Good Cause (S3082). Another key housing issue is the historic disinvestment in public housing. While my office assists constituents with navigating the bureaucracy of NYCHA, I will continue to fight for the state to re-assume financial responsibility for NYCHA by committing $3.4 billion in State Capital funding and $2.8 billion in Operating funding so that NYCHA can remain financially solvent, spend all budgeted Capital, establish vocational resident training programs, support Resident Management corporations and address its work order backlog.
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?
No
Do you believe that housing should be de-commodified?
Yes
- Please explain your answer (500 characters)
  Like health insurance, I fundamentally don’t believe that housing should be a commodity but a right. I believe that capitalism has distorted our thinking on this issue and that we need a fundamental paradigm shift to change the way we think about housing. To this end, I fully support the #HouseNY platform and in addition to co-sponsoring the legislation in this package will do everything in my power as an elected official and an activist to ensure that this crucial legislation is brought to a floor vote in this legislative session.
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)
Other than Good Cause, if I had the opportunity I would also enact cease-and-desist zones city-wide and in areas of the state that are facing serious rent surges. We also must make it easier for homeowners living in cease and desist zones to register their homes with the Department of State so they no longer face harassment.
Do you agree that all evictions are bad?
Yes
- If no, why not? (500 characters)
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)
  I believe that public housing should remain public and not be privatized under any circumstances. There are other ways to ensure that NYCHA receives the money it is owed and continued investment.
NYCHA has suffered from chronic underfunding, neglect, and disrepair. What do you see as the best strategies to rectify these problems? (500 characters)
The first step is for the state to re-assume financial responsibility for NYCHA and invest the requisite capital. Along with this, I am a supporter of the Green New Deal for NYCHA for public housing which simultaneously improves quality of life for tenants of public housing while tackling environmental goals and creating jobs.
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)
Landlords feel the pressure when they see that people, including elected officials, are willing to stand up and literally stand WITH the tenants they are harassing. I will continue to show up when renters in my district are faced or threatened with evictions. My office will continue to lend the knowledge and time of our staff including consulting tenants on possible legal avenues they have to combat the landlords threats and negligence with.
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)
I support the cancel rent campaign and a universal rent cancellation for owed money and fees incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. To protect truly small landlords and homeowners who rent out spaces I also support the mom and pop landlord hardship fund.
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)
Continue the public pressure we are mounting on our colleagues and on leadership to co-sponsor the legislation and to bring it to a vote. Spread the word and encourage constituents to call their elected officials in support of Good Cause.
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)
One way my office can support tenants opting into TOPA is by helping them to navigate the complicated bureaucratic process when constituents call my office and as well as providing widespread education and information in the form of emailed newsletters and handing out literature at in-person events.
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?
No
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