Council Approves Requirement for Self-Closing Doors Inspections

The bill is a part of the Council’s response to the Twin Parks tragedy this past January. On June 2, 2022, the City Council voted to approve Int. 208-A, a bill that requires increased inspections for self-closing doors in multiple dwelling buildings. The bill is sponsored by Council Member Nantasha Williams. Int. 208-A is the most recent in a series of bills passed by the City Council in response to the tragic Twin Parks fire <Read More>


City Council Passes Package of Fire Safety Related Bills in Response to Twin Parks Fire

The bills aim to prevent the circumstances that took 17 lives from occurring again in the future. On May 19, 2022, the City Council voted to approve a package of five bills to improve fire safety and prevention measures in residences as part of the City’s response to the tragic Twin Parks high-rise fire which killed 17 people in the Bronx this past January. The fire was a result of a space heater, and the <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.


Council Land Use Committee Approves New Building for Shelter and Supportive Housing in East Midtown

The new building will replace the existing shelter. On April 4, 2022, the City Council Committee on Land Use voted to approve the New Providence Redevelopment Project at 225 East 45th Street in East Midtown. The project consists of a new 21-story building and an emergency shelter that will replace the existing women’s shelter, which is currently retrofitted into two buildings. The proposed building can be constructed as-of-right, but still requires public review as … <Read More>


City Council Votes to Extend Rent Stabilization Law

State law requires rent stabilization laws to be renewed periodically based on housing vacancy rates. On March 10, 2022, the City Council voted to extend the City’s Rent Stabilization Law by providing more time to gather data to ensure the rent stabilization law is still necessary. The bill, Int. 70, was sponsored by Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez.