
Governor Kathy Hochul. Image Credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.
On February 24th, 2023, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced a state-wide, $2.2 million investment in New York’s Fair Housing Testing Program. The expansion will be overseen and administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Fair and Equitable Housing Office. The purpose of the Fair Housing Testing Program is to increase investigations into housing discrimination and enhance education and outreach efforts for fair housing rights, including for individuals with a history of involvement with the criminal justice system. (more…)

NYS Unified Court System Logo Image Credit: NY Courts
REBNY, Legal Aid and all parties united against evictions during Corona outbreak. On March 15, 2020, the New York State Court System issued an indefinite moratorium on eviction proceedings, effectively allowing many people and families throughout the state to stay in their homes and off the streets or in shelters. Tenant advocates and numerous elected officials argued housing insecurity and homelessness will only exacerbate the COVID-19 threat. The proceedings which a New York City Housing Court might now hear, will be limited to landlord lockouts, serious housing code violations and repair orders. Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks’ memorandum also limits other types of “non-essential” proceedings to assure the operation of the courts in the safest possible manner for the public and court employees.
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The Carbon Neutrality amendment will help address obstacles and restrictions that currently limit the installation of green technology and infrastructure like solar panels. Credit: NYC DEP
On March 8, 2023, the New York League of Conservation Voters and NYLCV Education Fund released the 2023 New York City Policy Agenda, which cited support for Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality zoning text amendment. The New York League of Conservation Voters is a statewide environmental organization that advocates for clean water and air, renewable energy and open spaces. (more…)

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. (more…)

Raven Hall. Image Credit: The Office of Governor Kathy Hochul/HPD.
The new building is 500 feet from the beach and boardwalk. On March 30, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced the completion of a new affordable and supportive housing development in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The mixed-use development, called Raven Hall, has 216 affordable apartments and ground floor retail. It is located at 2006 Surf Avenue. The development team consists of Georgica Green Ventures, LLC and New Density Housing and was created as part of the State’s efforts to increase affordable housing statewide. (more…)