Central Harlem 70th Assembly District Race: Delsenia Glover Profile

HARLEM, NY — Voters in New York City's 70th Assembly district, which covers much of Central and West Harlem, will see three names on their ballots when they vote in the June 28 primary election.

One of those names will be Delsenia Glover, a tenant advocate and former Deputy Public Advocate for Housing Equity who is among those challenging incumbent member Inez Dickens.

Early voting runs from June 18-26. (Find your polling sites here.)

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles, asking for their positions on issues like affordable housing and public safety, and giving them the chance to describe their records in detail. Glover's responses are below.

Name

Delsenia Glover

Campaign website

https://delseniaglover.com/

NYC neighborhood of residence

Harlem

Office sought

State Assembly

District, if applicable

70th State Assembly District

Party affiliation

Democrat/Working Families Party

Education

New York City Public School; Fordham University, B.A.; Fellow, Baruch College Leadership

Occupation

Immediate past Deputy Public Advocate for Housing Equity, Office of the NYC Public Advocate - 2019-2021

Family

I have one adult daughter.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None.

Age

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Previous public office, appointive or elective

Yes, I served as Deputy Public Advocate for Housing Equity in the office of NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. I also serve as a member on my Community Board.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking this office because there needs to be a change in representation at the state level that focuses on the needs of people in my community. My leadership is proven. The primary issue for most people with whom I speak is affordable housing, and many say they are tired of their voices not being heard. They are asking for a voice to amplify their concerns and needs and who is dedicated to the work. I plan to sponsor new legislation and support the passage of existing legislation that is stuck in the NYS Assembly due to current mixed priorities that do not serve our community well. This includes the areas of housing, healthcare, free public colleges and universities, compassionate mental health reform, rent burden and health care cost burden for seniors, rent regulation for small neighborhood businesses, and gun violence.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most pressing issue for my constituents is the need for affordable housing, and the crisis homelessness and escalating rents.

It is not just about more housing, it is also about keeping people housed, and keeping what we have affordable. Good Cause Eviction keeps people from being evicted for no reason, and prevents landlords from unreasonable rent increases. Good Cause Eviction should be a part of any housing package. I will not only work to keep them in their homes, but also look for ways to create new housing or make better use of the housing we have. First, an extension of HAVP will keep people in their homes, and also can be used as an operational subsidy for low income housing. It would pay enough to operate truly affordable housing. I also am very interested in creating a new Mitchell Lama program for middle income New Yorkers. Mitchell Lama has been a successful program.

How would you address ongoing concerns about public safety in New York City?

Unfortunately, the most serious crimes in the community right now is an escalation of gun violence coming out of the pandemic. Shootings were down in the year prior pandemic and I do not think they are unrelated. We must address the root causes of crime.

First, on the state level, we need to be more intentional about stopping the flow of guns into communities. Moving the age for assault weapon purchases from 18 to 21 is not a solution. Assault weapons should be banned. More importantly, we need to invest in communities of color where much of gun violence happens. Cure violence organizations and programs have been working over the past several years pre-pandemic, and we should invest more in them. Teaching conflict resolution for children and adults is a proven tool.

The pandemic has caused or shown how fragile and even incomplete our focus has been on this initiative that has been shown to work. This investment can take the form of expanding the funding of Safe in the City grants. We need to focus on better schools, healthier schools, expanded recreational activities for young people, indoors and out, and treat children with value.

We also need to focus on housing insecurity to stem the emotional, psychological and learning of children. Community involvement programs in the first two years of high school, then moving students into internship programs for their junior and senior years will work to help students define their goals and learn life and work skills. I know this works because I ran internship programs for more than 4 years at two high schools in the Bronx.

Most importantly, we must educate and treat children, as a whole community, in a manner so that they know they are valued, which builds self esteem and a positive outlook.

Do you think the NYPD's response to the recent surge in crime will affect efforts at police reform and, if so, how?

I would hope not. However, when people do not feel safe in their homes or out of them, like during the current surge in gun violence, it opens the door to fear mongering that should not take us away from the goals of expanding violence prevention programs which we know work. In addition, after targeted funding of after school programs and expanded recreational activities for young people, internships and community involvement, fosters optimism in young people and a road map to careers.

What is one policy you would support to make housing more affordable in New York City?

On the state level, I support Good Cause Eviction, which does not lower rent, but prevents landlords from raising rents with no limit for market rate tenants. There needs to be clarity about what is “Good Cause Eviction” and what is not. The bill does not change the ability of a landlord to evict tenants. They can still be evicted for failure to pay rent, being a nuisance to neighbors, destruction of property, using the home for illegal means, or if it is an owner-occupied building and the landlord needs the space for a family member, and the occupant is given sufficient notice.

What the law prevents is evicting a family or person without “good cause.” With no regulation for market rate housing, evicting tenants without cause has been a tool for owners to turn over apartments as the market goes up in order to get more rent. The bill also prevents a landlord from exorbitant rent increases which in many cases, is an eviction. There will be in place a formula, 150% of the CPI, or 3.1 percent per year, whichever is greater. This is a generous yearly increase.

Should officials do more to encourage New Yorkers to return to work in person? If so, how? If not, why not?

I have mixed feelings. I do believe that the social aspect of in-person work is a positive one, particularly for people who may live alone. I also think it is positive because many people talk about how working from home creates an atmosphere where they work longer hours, and are accessible every moment of the day. I think where possible, people should now either have a choice, or employers can create a hybrid plan to accommodate what has become a new normal for many people.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The difference between me and the other candidates in this race is that I have a proven track record in the area of affordable housing, community and statewide advocacy on affordable housing, and successfully pushing back on land use issues that would have had a negative impact on a community like District 70. I have run a statewide non-profit organization that is focused on affordable housing, tenants rights, and have been a leader in statewide housing justice campaign.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

The current office holder has failed the community with lack of support for tenant protections and actively opposing them; for not being vocal on housing development in the community that the residents oppose, and had clear and stated opposition to the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 that save 1,000,000 units of necessary affordable housing (though it passed without their vote), opposition to any tenant protections, including Good Cause Eviction, and constant complaints from constituents that they do not feel their needs are being addressed or that they are heard.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

At the top of my platform, I am addressing quality of life for senior citizens, who are rent and healthcare cost burdened. Small businesses need rent regulation. I am hearing horror stories from mom & pop business owners who are facing sudden and exorbitant rent increases. Additionally, I will join the fight for free SUNY and CUNY.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I was executive director of an organization; Deputy Public Advocate for Housing in the Office of the NYC Public Advocate; successfully negotiated with state legislators to pass the Housing Stability & Tenant Protection Act of 2019, including being a part of the team that crafted the legislation.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

To be an independent thinker and have a purpose.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a lifelong resident of Harlem. I am dedicated to my community; I have been the president or vice president of my tenants association for many years; I am a member of Manhattan Community Board 10’s housing and land use committees. I have helped tenants organize across the district, and still receive “constituent service” from folks in the community who have housing issues.