Stanley Brezenoff speaking at the CityLaw 2019 Civic Fame Awards Breakfast. Image Credit: Center for CityLaw.

New York Law School presented Stanley Brezenoff with the Civic Fame award at the Fifth Annual Civic Fame Breakfast held at New York Law School on April 26, 2019. The certificate of award acknowledged Brezenoff‘s 40-year career in managing governmental institutions with unequaled persistence, skill and determination from the days of the fiscal crisis to today’s thriving City, and for his relentless efforts to preserve and enhance the social mission of the City of New York. Over the 40 years Brezenoff had served as First Deputy Mayor, Executive Director of the Port Authority, President of the Health & Hospitals Corporation, Administrator of the Human Resources Administration, and Acting Chair of the New York Housing Authority. In accepting the Civic Fame Award Brezenoff reflected on his 40 years in government. The following are his remarks. (read more…)

A Chevron oil tanker. Chevron was one of five companies sued by the City of New York over climate change. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Lahti213

The City sued major oil companies for flood damage and climate change costs. On January 8, 2018, The City of New York filed a related lawsuit in federal court against BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobile Corporation, and Royal Dutch Shell, PC, the five largest fossil fuel producers in the world. The City alleged that the oil companies downplayed the risks of climate change and promoted the use of fossil fuels despite environmental risks. The City sought to hold the oil companies liable for injuries to New York City from sea-level rise. (read more…)

280 East Burnside Avenue. Image Credit: Google Maps

Landlord attempted to evict tenant who owned a pitbull as an emotional support animal. On December 8, 2017, Javada James moved into a rent-controlled apartment located at 280 East Burnside Avenue in the Bronx.  Ms. James signed a two-year lease which contained a conspicuous provision prohibiting pets on the premises without landlord consent.  In December 2017, in an exchange of emails Ms. James notified the building’s landlord that she owned a female pitbull named “Bella,” and that she was medically in need of an emotional support animal. The landlord took no action with respect to the pet until after Ms. James notified the City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development about the building’s lack of hot water and heat. (read more…)

HPD Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer. Image Credit: William Alatriste/NYC Council

HPD launches ShareNYC, a pilot program to help developers finance affordable co-living housing. Co-living housing units supported by the City are headed for New York. On November 1, 2018, the City’s Department of Housing and Preservation and Development announced ShareNYC, an initiative to encourage the development of affordable, shared housing units on privately owned sites with the support of City funds. Developers will be permitted to enter bids for financing which will be provided through a combination of loan programs, tax incentives, and tax credits. (read more…)

Superstorm Sandy. Image Credit: NASA/Wikimedia Commons

Homeowner claimed benefits under disaster recovery program implemented after Super Storm Sandy. In November 2013, Brooklyn attorney Christopher McCollum applied for benefits under the Build It Back program established by the City following Super Storm Sandy. McCollum claimed that his home sustained damage to its windows, backyard, roof, chimney, and façade during Super Storm Sandy. (read more…)