Congress Holds Hearing on Fire Safety in Federally Assisted Housing
Earlier this year, a fire in the Twin Parks North West apartments in the Bronx, New York City claimed the lives of 17 residents. In response, the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance held a special hearing on April 20 to address “A Matter of Life and Death: Improving Fire Safety in Federally Assisted Housing.” Twin Parks North West was privately owned, but it received rental subsidies through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) said the hearing was intended to “secure facts and seek solutions” rather than to make accusations. Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY), the House representative for Twin Parks North West residents, gave a compelling opening statement about the dangers of disinvesting in affordable housing. Rep. Torres is the sponsor for several pieces of legislation that would address fire safety in federally assisted housing, including HR6529 the “Twin Parks North West Fire Safety Act of 2022.”
Two panels of witnesses testified at the hearing, including:
Panel 1
- Adolfo Carrion: Commissioner for Enforcement and Neighborhood Services, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
- Sandra Clayton: Former resident of Twin Parks North West
- Vanessa Gibson: Bronx Borough President
- Laura Kavanaugh: Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department
- RuthAnne Visnauskaus: Commissioner and CEO, New York State Homes and Community Renewal
Panel 2
- Alicka Ampry-Samuel: Regional Administrator, HUD Region II
- Ashley Sheriff: Acting Deputy Assistant, HUD Real Estate Assessment Center
In addition to Chairman Cleaver and Rep. Torres, four Congress members joined the hearing to question the witnesses. Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA) and Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA) spoke about a similar fire in Philadelphia this year that led to the deaths of 12 Philadelphia Housing Authority residents. Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), who represents part of the Bronx alongside Rep. Torres, joined the hearing to speak about the need for more building inspectors.
Congressman Al Green (D-TX) discussed the Fair housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) with the witnesses. Rep. Green said he believes additional funding for FHIP could help enforce fire safety and other health standards in affordable housing. Chairman Cleaver closed by asking Sandra Clayton, a former Twin Parks North West resident, for her final thoughts. Clayton said she would like to see more than one inspection per year in affordable housing to help ensure compliance with health and safety laws.
A full recording of the hearing and written witness testimonies is available on the House Financial Services Committee website.