Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi. Image Credit: NYAssembly.gov

State Assemblymember may have answer to finally reverse the homelessness trend. Recently, the de Blasio Administration heralded that its efforts to prevent homelessness in New York City have had some success. On September 29, 2016, City Hall announced that thanks to its “unprecedented array of programs” some 7,000 New Yorkers were able to avoid the City’s shelter system. The Department of Homeless Services now shelters 60,000 instead of the projected 67,000 (the projection was largely based on the rapid increase of homeless persons seen after the end of the Advantage program in 2011, approximately 5,000/year). While the population in the City’s shelter system may have been stunted, it continues to grow. (more…)

Campaign 4 NY/NY coalition rallies in support of a Statewide supportive housing agreement. Image credit: Campaign 4 NY/NY

The campaign seeks to push Governor Cuomo to release the funding before the conclusion of the legislative session on June 16, 2016. On May 23, 2016, the “Campaign 4 NY/NY,” an advocacy group endorsed by more than 300 organizations, launched a campaign urging Governor Andrew Cuomo to release the $2 billion committed in the State budget to the creation of supportive housing. Governor Cuomo announced the commitment in his State of the State address in January of 2016, but has taken no further action since then.

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Image credit: Jeff Hopkins

In 2017, along with voting for mayor, council members, and other elected officials, the voters of New York will be asked to answer “Yes “or “No” to this question:  “Shall there be a convention to revise the constitution and amend the same?” Every twenty years, the New York State constitution requires that the voters of the State be given the option to call a constitutional convention for revising and amending the New York State constitution – a generational opportunity to consider the State’s governing document and how well we are governed.

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Mayor Bill de Blasio announcing the new partnership at a press conference on July 30, 2014. Image credit: NYC.gov

Partnership announced to establish a $350 million fund to support affordable housing throughout the City. On July 30, 2014, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Comptroller Scott M. Stringer announced a partnership to establish a $350 million fund to support affordable housing throughout New York City. The new financing was raised through the support of Citi, the New York City Retirement Systems, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley and other financial institutions including Deutsche Bank and Bank of America. (more…)

On June 19, 2012, one lone gunman entered a small pharmacy in Medford, Long Island.  Seven gunshots later, four people lay dead—killed at close range without signs of resistance.  Three days later, David Laffer and his wife, Melinda Brady, were arrested.  Laffer was charged with first-degree murder.  Melinda Brady, driver of the getaway car, was charged with third-degree robbery.  (more…)