First HomeFix Project Helps Make Critical Home Repair in Canarsie

The HomeFix project helps to provide affordable financing and loans in order to help family homeowners make necessary repairs. On May 10, 2021, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the first rehabilitation project completed by the HomeFix project. The HomeFix project is a program that provides affordable financing for essential home repairs in small family-owned properties located across New York City.


Council Votes to Make Open Streets Program Permanent

The program began as a way to provide more public space during the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 29, 2021, the City Council voted to pass Int. 1933-A, a bill to make a permanent Open Streets program. The Open Streets program closes streets for a given time period to provide pedestrians and cyclists with open street space free of vehicular traffic. 


City Begins Process of Installing 10,000 New Bike Racks with Bronx Installations

Bronx Park East will be getting new bike racks in addition to pedestrian and cyclist improvements. On March 5, 2021, the Department of Transportation began the installation of bike racks along Bronx Park East in the Pelham Parkway section of the Bronx. This begins the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation’s, Hank Gutman, goal to install 10,000 new bike racks by the end of 2022.


HPD Releases New Design Guidelines for Affordable Housing

The newly revised design guidelines will promote equity, health, and sustainability for affordable housing. On March 4, 2021, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development released newly revised design guidelines for affordable housing. The COVID-19 pandemic led the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to have stronger requirements to improve the standard of living, promote public health, and reduce the carbon footprint of New York City.


Landmarks Launches Interactive Story Map to Celebrate Black History Month

The story map features highlighted landmarks and historic districts but also presents in-depth historical context about the significance of those sites. On February 9, 2021, the Landmarks Preservation Commission released Preserving Significant Places of Black History, an interactive story map that highlights New York City’s African American history through historic districts and designated landmarks. 


New Entrances to Prospect Park Completed

The entrances are part of a $40 million series of park improvement projects citywide. On January 27, 2021, the Parks Department cut the ribbon on two new completed entrances to Prospect Park along Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The new entrances are the first additional entrances added to Prospect Park since the 1940’s. NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been, Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, Council Member <Read More>