
Mayor Bill de Blasio at New York City first ever virtual bill signing Image Credit: Mayor’s Office
Local Law addressing personal liability provisions in commercial leases raises constitutional law discussion. On May 26, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed seven COVID-19 relief bills into law during New York City’s first ever virtual bill signing. Among the laws, Local Law 55 of 2020, sponsored by Council Member Carlina Rivera, temporarily prevents the enforcement of personal liability provisions in commercial leases or rental agreements involving COVID-19 impacted tenants. The law also makes it a form of harassment to attempt or threaten to enforce personal liability provisions on the COVID-19 impacted tenant. Several of the bills were heard by their respective committees on April 29, 2020 and all were approved by their committees and the full Council on May 13, 2020. To read CityLand’s prior coverage of the other COVID-19 Relief Bills and Local Law 55 at public hearing, click here. For the coverage of the Third Party Delivery Service bills and the Stated Meeting click here.
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Image credit: Office of the Mayor
At the close of fiscal year 2017, the Mayor’s Administration is ahead of schedule in achieving its goal to build 200,000 affordable homes in 10 years. On July 13, 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced an update on the progress that has been made to achieve the goals set forth in his Housing New York plan, which seeks to build 200,000 affordable homes in 10 years. According to the announcement, the City secured 24,293 affordable homes in fiscal year 2017—the highest production of affordable homes within one year since 1989. In total, 77,651 affordable homes have been financed to date under the Housing New York plan. Included in this total are 4,014 new apartments created to house the poorest New Yorkers, who earn less than $24,000 annually. Further, the City is in the process of creating 4,627 affordable senior housing units for low-income seniors. (more…)

Mayor Bill de Blasio. Image credit: CityLand
The Mayor’s Administration moves to deepen affordability of housing for lowest-income families and to aid more senior citizens. On February 10, 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced two new housing initiatives to help seniors, veterans and families who are suffering the most from the housing crisis. The Mayor intends to increase by 10,000 the number of apartments in Housing New York serving households earning less than $40,000 a year. Of those additional 10,000, the Mayor will dedicate 5,000 to senior citizens and 500 to veterans. The Mayor will dedicate $1.9 billion to the expansion of this housing. The second initiative is an Elder Rent Assistance program to serve more than 25,000 seniors with monthly rental assistance up to $1,300. The new program is expected to be funded by the Mayor’s proposed ‘Mansion Tax.’ (more…)

The constructed and preserved affordable housing units by borough. Image credit: The Office of Mayor Bill de Blasio
The Mayor’s Administration is ahead of schedule in achieving its goal to build 200,000 affordable homes in 10 years. On July 26, 2016, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced an update on the progress that has been made to achieve the goals set forth in his Housing New York plan, which seeks to build 200,000 affordable homes in 10 years. The Housing New York plan met the conclusion of its second fiscal year on June 30, 2016. For CityLand’s previous coverage on the Housing New York plan, click here and here.
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Mayor Bill de Blasio signing legislation into law with Council Member Jumaane Williams standing to his right. Image credit: The Office of Council Member Jumaane Williams
New York City Council Member and Deputy Leader Jumaane Williams sponsored both bills, which were signed alongside a green building construction bill sponsored by City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. On March 28, 2016, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law two major pieces of legislation, sponsored by New York City Council Member and Deputy Leader Jumaane Williams, respectively titled the Domestic Violence Housing Discrimination Ban and the Green Construction bills. City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito sponsored a bill aimed at increasing eco-friendly, City-owned buildings, which was signed on the same day at Council Member Williams’ bills.
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