Council Committee Holds Hearing for Utility Advocate Legislation

The new office would advocate for New Yorkers who struggle with utility companies, but some question if another office is necessary. On June 30, 2022, the City Council’s Committee for Consumer and Worker Protection held an oversight hearing to discuss recent utility rate hikes and Int. 372-2022, a bill that would establish an Office of the Utility Advocate within the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). The bill is sponsored by City Council Speaker … <Read More>


Public Advocate Introduces Homeless Bill of Rights Legislation to City Council

On April 14, 2022, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, along with Council Members Rafael Salamanca, Tiffany Cabán, Althea Stevens, Shahana Hanif, Diana Ayala, Julie Won, Lincoln Restler, Shekar Krishnan and Crystal Hudson, introduced a first-of-its-kind Homeless Bill of Rights at the City Council stated hearing. The legislation, called Int. 190, would codify rights of homeless individuals living within and outside of the City’s shelter system in a Homeless Bill of Rights.


City Council Passes Legislation to Limit Fees Landlords Can Collect From Tenants for Early Vacancies

The bill amends the landlord’s duty to mitigate damages for an early vacancy of a leased residence. On November 23, 2021, the City Council passed Int. 2312-A, which limits the fees landlords can collect from tenants who vacate prior to the end of a lease to prepare the property for the next rental. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Kevin C. Riley, helps balance the needs of landlords to pay for the maintenance of units <Read More>


City Council Passes Legislation to Require Certain Agencies to Enable Inspectors to Issue First-Time Warnings

The bill enables inspectors to check if violations have been issued in the past. On November 23, 2021, the City Council passed Int. 167 B-2018, a bill aimed at providing small businesses with relief from hefty fines and penalties for certain violations by making it easier for agencies to issue first-time warnings. The bill was sponsored by Council Member Alan Maisel. 


City Council Passes Legislation in Increase Value of Rental Assistance Vouchers

The increased voucher amounts help take advantage of decreased rents. On May 27, 2021, the New York City Council passed legislation that increases the number of apartments available to homeless New Yorkers and helps move more New Yorkers out of shelters and into permanent housing.  The legislation, titled Int. 146-C, requires the City to pay higher rates to homeless New Yorkers receiving rental assistance vouchers and eliminates the program’s previous five-year cap for vouchers. … <Read More>


Council Passes Legislation to Protect Not-For-Profits from Tax Lien Sales

Council backs not-for-profit sector with new legislation. On March 29, 2020, Local Law 42 of 2020 was adopted by the City without the Mayor signing it following unanimous City Council approval.  Local Law 42 was originally introduced as Int. No 245-of 2018 by Council Member Antonio Reynoso and was later amended twice. The new law creates an exemption for City tax lien sales of properties owned by not-for-profit organizations. The law also creates a not-for-profit … <Read More>