COMPLETE VIDEO: 178th CityLaw Breakfast with Gary P. Jenkins, Commissioner of the Department of Social Services

Today, April 8, 2022, Department of Social Services Commissioner Gary P. Jenkins spoke at the 178th CityLaw Breakfast on “Combating Homelessness.” Professor Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for New York City Law, provided opening remarks. Dean and President of New York Law School Anthony W. Crowell joined for a closing colloquy. This Breakfast was sponsored by ConEdison, Greenberg Traurig, and Verizon. This was the twelfth virtual CityLaw Breakfast as in-person events are not feasible <Read More>



Mayor Announces New Measures to Bolster Tenant Protections, Outreach

The Mayor joins a collective call from New York leadership at the federal, state and municipal levels to help New Yorkers avoid evictions with federal rental assistance. On January 13, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new push to promote tenant protections that are available in New York City and called for an infusion of funds from the US Department of Treasury into the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The announcement comes as the state’s <Read More>


City Council Passes Law to Promote Transparency for Rental and Utility Emergency Assistance Grants

The bill promotes transparency of the program due to possible heightened need as the eviction moratorium is set to expire on January 15th. On December 15, 2021, the City Council passed Int. 2081-A, a bill that provides more transparency around emergency assistance grant programs. These grants, run by the Human Resources Administration (HRA), are “one shot deals” that can assist New Yorkers with rent or utility payments when they are facing an unforeseen situation or <Read More>



State Legislature Passes Law to Fund Hotel and Office Conversion to Affordable Housing

The properties will be owned, operated and managed by selected nonprofit organizations. On June 9, 2020, the New York State Senate and Assembly passed the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act. The Bill, sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember Karines Reyes, allows New York State to partner with nonprofit organizations to finance the acquisition and conversion of distressed hotels and commercial office space into affordable housing.