Congressman Dan Goldman Calls on HUD to Move Its San Juan Field Office Jurisdiction to New York

 

 

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today sent a letter to Acting Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Adrianne Todman urging HUD to reestablish its San Juan Field Office jurisdiction to Region II in New York in order to safeguard Puerto Rican interests ahead of the incoming administration. 

 

“Given New York's historic, economic, and familial ties to Puerto Rico, along with the presence of numerous key federal offices for Puerto Rico in New York, transferring HUD’s jurisdiction to Region II will streamline and improve services for the Puerto Rican diaspora,” the Congressman wrote. 

 

The Congressman explained that currently, the San Juan field office's placement under Region IX in Atlanta, Georgia often causes confusion and delays with interagency and stakeholder communication. The Congressman argued that because key federal agencies for Puerto Rico have regional offices in New York, including the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, FEMA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a jurisdiction change to Region II in New York would dramatically improve efficiency in interagency coordination.   

 

“I am confident that you will understand the need for this realignment to help protect the interests of the Puerto Rican people. I urge you to take action and return HUD’s San Juan Field Office jurisdiction to Region II in New York,” the Congressman concluded.

 

 

Dear Acting Secretary Todman,   

  

I first want to acknowledge the work you have done on behalf of the Puerto Rican people. During your time as Acting Secretary, HUD conducted an investigation to ensure that funds appropriated to the Puerto Rico's Community Energy and Water Resilience Installations Program addressed the energy and water vulnerabilities of the low- and moderate-income citizens, and secured funding for Puerto Rican families to address the lead hazards in their homes. I am writing to you today in hopes that you will continue to safeguard Puerto Rican interests before the new administration takes office by reestablishing HUD’s San Juan Field Office jurisdiction to Region II in New York.    

  

Currently, the San Juan field office is under the jurisdiction of Region IX in Atlanta, Georgia. The jurisdiction's placement under Region IX causes confusion and delays with interagency and stakeholder communication. Given that key federal agencies for Puerto Rico, including the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, FEMA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have regional offices in New York, a jurisdiction change to Region II in New York would dramatically improve efficiency in interagency coordination.   

  

Puerto Ricans have been migrating to New York City in pursuit of employment opportunities since the 1930s. According to the 2020 Census, 25% of New York’s Hispanic population is Puerto Rican, making it the second largest concentration of Puerto Rican people in the United States and the third largest outside of the island itself. Now, many Puerto Ricans work for New York’s city, state, and federal governments. Given New York's historic, economic, and familial ties to Puerto Rico, along with the presence of numerous key federal offices for Puerto Rico in New York, transferring HUD’s jurisdiction to Region II will streamline and improve services for the Puerto Rican diaspora.  

  

I am confident that you will understand the need for this realignment to help protect the interests of the Puerto Rican people. I urge you to take action and return HUD’s San Juan Field Office jurisdiction to Region II in New York.