Congressman Dan Goldman Requests Funding for NYCHA Gowanus Houses Fire Alarm System Upgrades

Funds to be Used for Replacing the Existing Fire Detection System with an Up-to-Date System that Allows for More Rapid Emergency Response

Read the Letter Here

Brooklyn, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) requested $1,500,000 in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget forthe New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to replace existing fire detection system components at the Gowanus Houses Development to bring the residences up to New York City Fire Code. With an updated fire detection system, NYCHA will be able to respond to emergencies quicker and better protect Gowanus Houses residents from death or injury. Gowanus Houses currently serves more than 2,600 residents.

“All public housing residents deserve safe homes and that includes ensuring that Gowanus Houses residents are protected from fire risk with the most up-to-date fire alarm systems,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “These funds are critical to bringing NYCHA apartments up to the standard that should be expected of all housing in New York and to guaranteeing that NYCHA residents are not exposed to a higher risk of death or injury.”  

The requested funding will go towards upgrades to the fire alarm system at Gowanus Houses to ensure up-to-date equipment that is able to address any potential fire, health, and safety concerns that may arise at the Gowanus Houses. Once upgraded, NYCHA will utilize its existing funds to continue maintenance and operations of the fire detection systems.

NYCHA is the country’s largest Public Housing Authority, serving nearly 340,000 residents in over 160,000 apartments. New York’s 10th Congressional District is home to 31 New York City Housing Authority developments with over 35,000 residents.

Congressman Goldman remains firm in his commitment to support NYCHA and the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers the authority serves.

As one of his first acts in the House of Representatives, Congressman Goldman, along with Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), introduced the Public Housing Emergency Response Act. This bill would allocate $70 billion in funding for capital repairs and upgrades to public housing throughout the country. $32 billion of the allotted aid would be expected to flow directly to NYCHA.

Congressman Goldman’s office has been working directly with tenants to address specific issues occurring in various housing developments. Last month, Congressman Goldman’s office helped NYCHA tenants in Campos Plaza II fix long-broken locks and regain access to their mailboxes. The Congressman also called an emergency meeting with NYCHA to address sewage backup issues in the Campos Plaza Community Center.

Earlier this year, Congressman Goldman hosted his first pop-up constituent services clinic at Meltzer Towers. The Congressman and his office helped residents with a variety of issues, from mold and plaster issues, leaks in apartments, and health and safety conditions in apartments.

The Congressman's office is also working with Red Hook Houses to get a Recovery and Resiliency update meeting for residents updating them on Hurricane Sandy related repairs.

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