Working Families Party Endorses North Shore Candidate for City Council
Sarah Blas shares her vision and priorities for the Council District.
How would you engage local communities, and in that process balance district-level needs with citywide needs?
Sarah Blas: As a Staten Islander and dedicated community advocate, I understand that meaningful engagement starts by showing up, listening, and creating feedback loops that honor community voices. I would hold regular listening sessions, partner with grassroots organizations, and use participatory tools—like community mapping and budget assemblies—to ensure residents feel ownership over the decisions impacting their neighborhoods. Balancing district and citywide needs requires transparency: I will advocate fiercely for Staten Island's unique concerns, while collaborating with fellow Council Members to craft policies that build a stronger, more resilient New York City for all five boroughs.
How would you balance the need for more housing (and more affordable housing) with the city’s growing climate risk?
Sarah Blas: We can’t talk about housing without talking about sustainability. I support investments in affordable, climate-resilient housing—especially in flood-prone and historically disinvested communities. This means upgrading infrastructure before new development, prioritizing green building standards, and co-designing with impacted communities to avoid displacement. In Staten Island, I’ll fight to ensure new housing doesn't come at the cost of safety or equity, particularly in neighborhoods vulnerable to sea-level rise. I have been awarded the 2024 City and Staten Trailblazer in Clean Energy. I am a co-founder of the Staten Island Environmental Justice Coalition. I have had a huge impact with very little resources, in a City Council seat this work will only be amplified.
Do you feel recent budgets have adequately addressed climate and nature (ex. open space, parks, green infrastructure)? If not, what specifically would you change?
Sarah Blas: No, recent budgets have not adequately invested in climate or nature. Staten Island, despite being the borough most affected by Superstorm Sandy, still sees inequitable investment in coastal infrastructure and green spaces. I would push for more funding toward shoreline protection, green jobs, park maintenance, and expanding urban farming and community gardens. Green infrastructure isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for public health, youth engagement, and long-term resilience.
What are your two to three top priorities to enhance resilience in NYC, and how would you achieve them?
Sarah Blas:
- Coastal Protection – Expand nature-based solutions (like living shorelines) and fast-track stalled resiliency projects, especially around Staten Island’s North Shore. We are a waterfront community and we should invest like we are.
- Green Workforce Development – Invest in job training for solar installation, green construction, and park maintenance—especially for youth and low-income communities.
- Climate Justice Infrastructure – Increase access to cooling centers, energy-efficient public housing, and emergency preparedness education, prioritizing neighborhoods with seniors and frontline workers.
How does climate change affect the district you are running in? What concerns have you heard from community members, and who is most impacted?
Sarah Blas: In District 49, climate change is personal. We live with flood warnings, storm surges, mold in NYCHA buildings, and heat waves that disproportionately affect our seniors and low-income families. Community members are concerned about the lack of progress on resiliency infrastructure, illegal dumping, air quality, and the absence of reliable public transit—especially during storms. Black, brown, and immigrant communities bear the brunt of these impacts due to years of underinvestment.
What are two to three specific steps you'll take to address resilience issues in your district and citywide?
Sarah Blas:
- Strengthen the Staten Island Climate Resilience Task Force to bridge city agencies, residents, and scientists around localized solutions.
- Secure funding for green infrastructure—like permeable sidewalks, bioswales, and expanded green space—to mitigate flooding and heat.
- Expand energy assistance and retrofitting programs for working families living paycheck-to-paycheck to reduce emissions and lower utility costs.
Given that federal funding is in question, how would you prioritize resilience in the budget?
Sarah Blas: I would work to codify resilience as a cross-cutting priority in all budget categories—from housing to transportation to education. That includes re-allocating capital funds to frontline communities, building multi-sector coalitions for grant funding, and increasing transparency and community input on environmental expenditures. Resilience shouldn’t be an afterthought—it must be embedded in how we build and govern.
Written by: Sarah Blas, Candidate for City Council
