Impact of Recovery Act in New York Revealed by Low-Income Community Leaders

ALBANY, NY (03/24/2010)(readMedia)-- On Wednesday, March 24, 2010, grassroots leaders from New York State community organizations met in Albany to offer testimonials about the ways in which the Recovery Act (stimulus) has -- and has not -- met the needs of New Yorkers. The New York Stimulus Alliance, a statewide network of organizing groups, called on Timothy Gilchrist, the Chair of the Governor's Recovery and Reinvestment Cabinet, to "walk a day in our shoes" by participating in a statewide listening tour to hear the needs of all of New York's communities, including the need for greater public accountability and transparency for stimulus and other public funding. They initially made this request in December 2009. While some accomplishments have most certainly been achieved, such as the new 'Green Zone' in Buffalo, significant work remains to ensure that all of New York's communities benefit from stimulus funding.

Over 70 grassroots leaders from across the state visited Mr. Gilchrist's office and left behind a giant pile of shoes with his office to help him remember the value of "walking a day in our shoes."

The grassroots groups provide a community-based voice for New Yorkers affected by – or left out of – the stimulus. Several compelling speakers offered testimony as to the needs the stimulus still has not addressed, including some of the stories detailed below. However, speakers also offered concrete suggestions for uplifting possibilities for future public investment – from the creation of reentry housing for formerly incarcerated persons to rebuilding entire neighborhoods.

The grassroots groups convened in Albany to develop strategies for working together and to present specific requests to policymakers in Albany. The Alliance aims to increase public transparency and accountability in use of New York's stimulus dollars, win the equitable distribution of stimulus funds benefiting low income communities and communities of color in the metro regions of New York, and to create opportunities for low income communities and communities of color to have a voice in state and local government policy and the future of their communities.

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The New York Stimulus Alliance is a statewide alliance of grassroots organizations, networks and researchers dedicated to ensuring transparent and equitable stimulus and public spending that rebuilds our state. Grassroots groups: Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse (ACTS), A Regional Initiative Supporting Empowerment (ARISE), Common Cause/New York, Community Voices Heard (CVH), Gamaliel NY, Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), Make the Road NY, National People's Action New York, Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope (NOAH), NYC AIDS Housing Network (NYCAHN), NY Immigration Coalition (NYIC), NW Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC), People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH-Buffalo), Syracuse United Neighbors (SUN), & VOICE-Buffalo. Policy and resource allies: Advancement Project, Center for Social Inclusion, Kirwan Institute, and The Opportunity Agenda.

Community /Grassroots Voices of the Stimulus

"If not now, when?" – Rev. Dr. Victor L. Collier, President, ARISE - A Regional Initiative Supporting Empowerment (518.427.9526)

"Besides the one-time payments people on public assistance got last year, we really haven't seen much of the stimulus in my community. And now we're back to struggling – bad. We're here in Albany to make sure the rest of the stimulus money is spent where it's supposed to be – to help those of us who are most in need." – Anne Dehaney, Leader, CVH - Community Voices Heard (845.401.4335)

"New York State has instituted some good transparency measures letting us know how stimulus money is being spent. That information should also facilitate community involvement in ensuring that the money the state spends – from the stimulus and from the regular budget – is spent wisely and benefits communities with the greatest needs." -- Susan Lerner, Executive Director, Common Cause NY (917.670.5670)

"Developments in all five boroughs must have a voice in the distribution of money, unlike 2009. Also, there should be better outreach about the Section 3 work program." – Luther Stubblefield, GOLES - Good Old Lower East Side - Member and Baruch House Tenant Association Vice President (313.303.1071)

"Thanks to the stimulus funding, I learned the skills needed to work in the new weatherization projects, and immigrant workers in my community were able to access more ESL and job training programs. But we need jobs to put these new skills to good use. With more investment in small businesses and worker cooperatives, immigrant communities can contribute to the creation of good jobs across the state." – Claudio Idrovo, Latino worker, Make the Road NY (917.330.5337)

"When my brother was recently released from prison, I took him into my home because I knew the shelter was the same environment that caused him to become incarcerated. But not everyone coming out has a family member to stay with, which is why housing is a core part of giving people a second chance. Shifting $5 million in Justice Assistance Grants to reentry supportive housing can create 250 units for people coming home." – James Dean, Leader, NYCAHN/VOCAL-NYC AIDS Housing Network - (646.373.3344 – Sean)

"For me WAP isn't just about insulating homes. We want to make a bigger impact with WAP! Making the places we live more energy efficient is about jobs, it's about stopping the crisis families go through every year, it's about rebuilding whole neighborhoods. For us going green isn't just about a lifestyle, it's about SURVIVAL!" Bob Cook, PUSH-Buffalo Member (People United for Sustainable Housing)

"In Syracuse, the city announced its plan to spend $1.6 million in housing stimulus money on the Friday before Memorial Day, with a scheduled vote in the Common Council on the following Tuesday. This was not done with any public participation and no transparency." – Maria Johnson, SUN - Syracuse United Neighbors (315.480.5549)

"As people of faith, we believe in pathways out of poverty and one way is through investment in public transit. Public stimulus will be invested in this important justice issue." – Ava White, President, VOICE-Buffalo and Gamaliel (716.563.4256)

"America will come out of this recession stronger if all communities experience recovery, but without the right data, we won't know whether this is happening. Recovery.gov is a step in the right direction, but we don't know where infrastructure is being built, nor do we know who is getting ARRA jobs." - Brittny Saunders, Senior Advocate, Center for Social Inclusion (201.803.2835)

"A pressing concern regarding stimulus resources is that unless structural and budgetary reform takes place at the state level, the fiscal crisis will not end, and future cuts will be nearly impossible to avoid." – Matt Martin, GIS and Planning Specialist, The Kirwan Institute (937.681.5039)

"The rising tide of the stimulus is not yet lifting all boats. Only targeted and purposeful planning to redress the inequities of the past can ensure that future public investment guarantees true recovery for all." – Megan Haberle, Economic Recovery Fellow and Associate Counsel, The Opportunity Agenda (212.792.6978)

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