By Bianca Fortis
The two frontrunners in the race for the City Council District 34 seat, which encompasses Ridgewood as well as parts of Brooklyn, both identified affordable housing as a primary issue in their community.
Vito Lopez, a former state assemblyman, said he has spent 25 years of his career working on the issue.
“On one hand, the neighborhood is being revitalized,” Lopez said. “On the other hand, it’s being gentrified.”
He said his plan centers around using tax credit subsidies to entice developers to build affordable housing. He also said Ridgewood residents should be able to access funds, such as weatherization grants, that would allow them to keep their homes and stay in the community.
He believes the city should provide incentives to help underwrite the cost of buying homes and schedule workshops to guide new homeowners through the buying process.
His Democratic primary opponent, Antonio Reynoso, has developed a three-point plan to address the problem: invest in affordable housing through land use decisions and pension funds, require local developers who receive tax breaks to build more affordable units and push the next mayoral administration to provide the affordable housing that was promised during the rezoning of the North Brooklyn waterfront.
Reynoso is the chief of staff for the current city councilwoman, Diana Reyna, whose term is expiring.
Lopez served as a state assemblyman from 1986 until he resigned in May amid allegations that he sexually harassed his female employees.
The other candidates in the race are Gladys Santiago and Humberto Soto. They could not be reached for comment, although they both identified housing as a problem in their profiles on the city Campaign Finance Board website.
Reach reporter Bianca Fortis by email at bfortis@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
