Council Approves Bill Requiring NYCHA PACT Program Transparency Report

On May 16, 2024, the City Council passed Int. 110-A, which requires the creation of a report about the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together Program (PACT). The PACT program allows the New York City Housing Authority to change its traditional Section 9 public housing funding to project-based Section 8 funding. The change allows NYCHA to access debt to finance renovation and repairs projects and requires NYCHA to transfer the daily management of buildings to private management <Read More>




City and State Continue to Combat Illegal Smoke Shops, Reform Cannabis Sales in New York

Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams made announcements furthering New York’s fight against illegal smoke shops and reforming cannabis sales. The legalization of cannabis has forced the city and state to navigate the development of a new economy with the implementation of strict regulations; the state rollout of licenses and process for siting new dispensaries have limited the number of legal dispensaries that have opened statewide. While the state continues to navigate <Read More>


LPC Approves Outdoor Dining Program Permit Rules

On May 9, 2024, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved rule amendments dealing with sidewalk and roadway cafes. The changes follow the creation of the Dining Out NYC Program, the city’s permanent outdoor dining program, which allows for permanent removable sidewalk cafes year round and removable roadway cafes from April through November. While the outdoor dining program is operated by the city’s Department of Transportation, other city agencies like the Landmarks Preservation Commission have had to <Read More>