Mayor Adams celebrates the launch of the nation’s first deliveristas hub program. Image Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office.

Through federal grant funding, the City will turn underused existing infrastructure into hubs for food deliveristas. On October 3, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a first-of-its-kind hub program for NYC’s 65,000 food delivery workers. The “Street Deliveristas Hubs” program will create safe places for delivery workers to seek shelter from the elements and charge both their electric bicycles and cell phones.

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Image Credit: NYC Civic Engagement Commission.

All New Yorkers aged 11 and up can help decide how to spend $5 million of mayoral expense funding. On September 14, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams and Civic Engagement Commission Chair and Executive Director Dr. Sarah Sayeed announced the launch of NYC’s first ever citywide participatory budgeting process. “The People’s Money” will allow all New Yorkers ages 11 and up to decide how to spend $5 million in mayoral funds, with the goal of addressing local community needs across the five boroughs. The program will fund expense projects likes programs, events, and services, but not capital projects that require building new things that require construction or renovation. (more…)

Image Credit: SBS

Funding from the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 grant programs will be awarded to 24 nonprofits working towards pandemic recovery in low to moderate income neighborhoods. On July 13, 2022, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced it will award $3.8 million in multi-year grants through the Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360 programs. This investment will be divided among 24 community-based development organizations working in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. (more…)

Image Credit: NYCHA.

COVID-19 outbreak has forced NYCHA and DHS to take extra precaution. Throughout the City and State, agencies and industries responsible for housing individuals, are taking measures and adopting policies to address the COVID-19 health crisis. The policies and measures generally focus on preventing the spread of disease, isolating infected individuals and answering questions on how compromised services would operate. In the hospitality industry many have also implemented policies regarding the refunds and the cancellation of services, as well as provide general travel tips.

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Council member Mark Levine. Image credit: William Alatriste/NYC Council

If enacted into law, Intro 214 would make New York City the first municipality in the nation to provide free legal representation to low-income tenants in Housing Court.  On March 26, 2014, the “Right to Counsel” bill was introduced in the New York City Council by co-sponsors Council members Mark Levine and Vanessa Gibson.  The proposed law would provide free legal representation to low-income City tenants and homeowners earning income that is not in excess of 125% of the federal poverty line and facing eviction and foreclosure proceedings in Housing Court.

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