On July 28, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined Congressman Edolphus “Ed” Towns, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and other elected representatives at a press conference to highlight the importance of maintaining the affordability of Starrett City and advancing legislation to address this important issue. Last week, the House and Senate passed a housing package that includes legislation that will enable Starrett City, the nation’s largest affordable housing project, to remain affordable. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law this week.

“This critical federal legislation is the result of a dynamic partnership between government, advocacy groups and, of course, the fighting tenants of Spring Creek—aka Starrett City,” says BP Markowitz. “I commend Congressman Ed Towns for his commitment to the residents of Starrett City, Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton for their determination in keeping Starrett City affordable, as well as Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez, HUD, the New York State Housing and Finance Agency, the NYC HPD, and the tenants and their association led by Marie Purnell for working together on a win-win solution. I am encouraged by the four finalists looking to purchase Starrett City, and I’m confident we will prove that New York City is indeed ‘proud home to everyone from everywhere’—and we’re gonna make sure it stays that way.”