City Council Passes Legislation in Increase Value of Rental Assistance Vouchers

The increased voucher amounts help take advantage of decreased rents. On May 27, 2021, the New York City Council passed legislation that increases the number of apartments available to homeless New Yorkers and helps move more New Yorkers out of shelters and into permanent housing.  The legislation, titled Int. 146-C, requires the City to pay higher rates to homeless New Yorkers receiving rental assistance vouchers and eliminates the program’s previous five-year cap for vouchers. … <Read More>


Construction Begins on New Manhattan Pet Adoption Center

The Department of Design and Construction is completely renovating an old garage in East Harlem into a new facility for the specific use of providing animals to adopt for the city. On June 4, 2021, the Department of Design and Construction and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced the beginning of construction on a new Pet Adoption Center located at 328 East 109th Street in East Harlem. The Center will work with adoptable … <Read More>


Mayor Announces SoHo-NoHo Neighborhood Plan Will Begin Public Process

On October 7, 2020, Mayor de Blasio announced that the SoHo/NoHo Neighborhood Plan will advance to the City’s public land use review process. The purpose of the Neighborhood Plan is to expand housing opportunities for New Yorkers, support cultural and economic success in the area, and reduce regulatory burdens on residents and workers in the area.


City Launches COVID-19 Cluster Map Amid Rise in Hotspots

Indicated zones will undergo restrictions for a minimum of 14 days after the zone is identified. On October 7, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the launch of the ‘Find Your Zone’ map, the City’s newest tool to help New Yorkers stay informed about the spread of COVID-19. The map allows users to enter an address to identify if that location is in a COVID-19 hotspot and what restrictions may apply to that zone for <Read More>


Outdoor Youth Sports to Return to NYC Parks

Leagues will be issues permits with regulations. On August 28, 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that NYC Parks will resume permitting outdoor youth sports on City athletic fields starting September 15, 2020. City athletic fields have been operating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with social distancing measures in place, but beginning on September 15, 2020, youth sports leagues will be issued permits to use the fields for organized outdoor play. Sports such as baseball, softball, … <Read More>


Parks Dept Celebrates Renovations of Jackie Robinson Park

It is the second park to be renovated through the Parks Without Boarders program. Earlier this summer, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation completed a $4.7 million renovation of Jackie Robinson Park in Harlem. Jackie Robinson Park runs from W 155th Street to W 145th Street between Edgecombe and Bradhurst Avenues. The renovations include updated stairways, entrances, seating, lighting, and walking paths at the park’s southern and northern edges and entrances. New … <Read More>