Construction begins on Bedford Green House II in Fordham Heights. The project is one of ten to receive a part of an over $390 million investment from the state to preserve affordable and supportive housing statewide. Image Credit: HPD.

On January 19, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that over $390 million was awarded through bonds and subsidies for affordable and supportive housing statewide. With additional private funding, over $600 million is expected to be invested to preserve over 1,600 units in ten projects across the state, including four projects within New York City. The four New York City projects are Bedford Green House Phase II in Fordham Heights in the Bronx; Shepherd Glenmore in East New York, Brooklyn; Crotona Belmont Senior Housing in East Tremont in the Bronx; and River View Towers in Hamilton Heights, Manhattan.  (read more…)

Ribbon cutting at Vital Brookdale in Brownsville. Image Credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.

The new development is part of an initiative to bring 4,000 affordable units to Central Brooklyn. On November 30, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of a new affordable and supportive development in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The development, called Vital Brookdale, is located at 535 East 98th Street. (read more…)

Governor Hochul signs legislation to improve clean energy development and efficiency. Image Credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.

On July 5, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a legislative package of three bills to further New York’s goal in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and making clean energy accessible, affordable, and efficient. The bills will support the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s goal in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent come year 2030 and 85 percent come year 2050. (read more…)

Governor Hochul signs legislation to create the New York City Housing Authority Preservation Trust with elected officials and advocates. Image Credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.

The trust allows NYCHA to access new streams of revenue to help fund the renovations of 25,000 apartments. On Thursday, June 16th, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation which created the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust. The Trust will give the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) access to new streams of revenue and will allow for necessary repairs to 25,000 apartments in NYCHA developments. These repairs have been deferred due to a lack of funds, often attributed to cutbacks in contributions from the federal budget. (read more…)

Hybrid hearings will allow members of the public to either attend public meetings in person or virtually. However, the state of emergency will keep meetings virtual for now. Image Credit: CityLand

Community boards often do not have the same resources as City agencies to have hybrid hearings. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many changes on how state and city governments conducted business, including public hearings. New York’s Open Meetings Law was originally designed to promote transparency, requiring hearings to be held in person and open to the public, with notice about how to participate. After meetings went virtual due to the pandemic, discussions began about how the open meetings law should better reflect modern circumstances. (read more…)