[David Pristin (Director of the Policy Division of the Council) can be reached at dpristin@council.nyc.gov; Rob Newman (Legislative Director for the Council) can be reached at  rnewman@council.nyc.gov; and Jeff Haberman (Deputy Director for the Council's Infrastructure Division) can be reached at jhaberman@council.nyc.gov  ... any friends and members and allies of Picture the Homeless who are reaching out to them are encouraged to CC Frank Morales, Housing Organizer here at Picture the Homeless: frank@picturethehomeless.org] 

Dear [David/Rob/Jeff],

I am writing to express my concern over the progress of Intro 48. This bill has 28 co-sponsors - a majority of seats on the Council - and is supported by communities and faith leaders and organizations throughout the city. But after months of silence and inactivity, your office indicated on July 21st that "with the legislation, this is not something we're interested in moving forward, and we're setting it to the side."

This was surprising to us, because in our understanding of the legislative process, as well as close scrutiny of the City Charter, there's no mention of the "policy division" having the power to "set" legislation "to the side" when a majority of democratically-elected officials have voiced their support for it. We were also surprised that you cited "concerns" from "the Administration" about "cost," even though two separate cost analyses indicated that the count could be carried out for less than $70,000 a year - and you could point to no actual cost estimates from your end, citing instead "back-of-the-envelope figures."

Concerns about cost and mayoral opposition are meant to be debated in a hearing, not cubicles at 250 Broadway. We urge you to schedule a hearing for Intro 48 as soon as possible, at which point the people - not back-room bureaucrats - can decide what housing policies are best for New York.

Sincerely, 

[YOUR NAME HERE]