BP Adams Joins Family Impacted By Possible Lead Exposure At Van Dyke Houses To Demand Accountability And Assistance

Press release from the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President:

October 25 2020

Brooklyn, NY – Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joined a family who has been directly impacted by exposure to lead paint in a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) development to demand the agency provide immediate assistance for families who have been exposed to lead paint.

On Thursday, the federal monitor for NYCHA, Bart Schwartz, revealed that 9,000 apartments likely contain lead paint where young children live or spend a significant amount of time — about triple the number of apartments NYCHA officials previously acknowledged as containing lead hazards. Those 9,000 apartments include apartments of relatives where children spent more than 10 hours a week. Lead can cause serious cognitive issues in children, particularly when those exposed are under six years of age. Research shows that even relatively low levels of lead exposure can cause loss of IQ, hyperactivity, and other behavioral problems.

Borough President Adams was joined by Jonquella Wheeler, a tenant of Van Dyke Houses, and her 10-year-old son Khemel Green, who tested positive for elevated levels of lead when he was 2 years old. The Van Dyke Houses Tenant Association President, Lisa Kenner, was also in attendance. At the press conference, Ms. Wheeler spoke about how NYCHA had initially misinformed her about the severity of her son’s exposure to lead, before subsequently acknowledging that his exposure had been much higher. Following the speaking program, Ms. Wheeler invited Borough President Adams and members of the press to her apartment to show the conditions she and her son have been forced to live in due to NYCHA’s negligence.

“The latest revelation by the federal monitor only underscores the complete disregard the City has shown to Black and Brown children. I can’t help but think that if this were taking place in Sutton Place in Manhattan and not Sutter Avenue in Brownsville, the City’s response would be very different. The only way we will get a real turnaround at NYCHA is real-time, data-driven accountability and transparency of its asset management. Right now, we need to expedite remediation efforts, with help from the federal government, provide rent relief to impacted families, and ensure real accountability for any officials who are found to have misled tenants and the public about the extent of the problem. The heartbreaking story Ms. Wheeler shared is the story of so many families living in public housing, and every parent — not just those living in NYCHA — should be outraged,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

To ensure that lead hazards are remediated on an expeditious basis and that impacted families get the support and justice they deserve, Borough President Adams issued the following calls today:

• Congress and the White House must add the full cost of NYCHA lead remediation into the stimulus package being negotiated so that we can clean up all 9,000 apartments immediately.

• NYCHA must skip contracting procedures and immediately engage any city-based company licensed to do this remediation work that will pay prevailing wage and start work on an emergency basis.
• NYCHA must not charge rent to any tenant living in any impacted apartment until the lead is remediated.
• Any individual(s) found responsible by the federal monitor or any other oversight body for concealing the extent of lead exposure must face legal accountability, as determined by the outcome of an investigation into potential criminal negligence or malfeasance.

This press release was produced by the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President. The views expressed are the author's own.