DDC and Cultural Affairs Celebrate Start of Renovations Project for Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center

On January 6, 2024, the Department of Design and Construction and the Department of Cultural Affairs announced the start of a new renovation project for the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center located at 107 Suffolk Street in the Lower East Side. 


Comptroller Audit Finds Non-Compliance with “Fair Share” Charter Provisions

On November 9, 2023 the New York City Comptroller released an audit and report detailing the failures of the City to comply with “Fair Share” Requirements for City Services and Facilities. Under the 1989 City Charter Revisions, “Fair Share provisions” require that the City must make an effort to provide communities with their fair share of amenities and the City must make an effort to combat citywide issues equitably among all communities. The new analysis … <Read More>


Council Passes Bill to Provide New Yorkers in Temporary Shelters Access to Housing Specialists

On March 16, 2023, Introduction 124-A (2022) which was originally proposed by Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr.  was officially passed by the NYC Council. On April 16, 2023, it was officially enacted as Local Law 45. The new law requires the Human Resources Administration to designate housing specialists within all temporary shelters and to submit an annual report on housing specialists, ensuring that New Yorkers residing in shelters have access to housing specialists.


Governor Announces Investment in Statewide Fair Housing Testing Program

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 … <Read More>


HPD Releases Initial Results of 2021 Housing and Vacancy Survey

On May 17, 2022, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) released some initial results of the 2021 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey. The survey is the official source of the city’s net rental vacancy rate, which is used to determine the continued need for rent stabilization. From its start in 1965, the survey is the longest running housing survey in the United States. 


Bronx Affordable Housing Development Enters Final Phase

The new affordable housing development will house 261 low-income and formerly homeless  families. On March 19, 2021, Mayor de Blasio and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the groundbreaking of a new affordable housing building in the West Farms section of the Bronx. The building, named Compass Six, is located at 1923 West Farms Road. Compass Six is part of the Compass Resident Development, which will consist of eight buildings and be one … <Read More>