Council Votes to Approve Creation of over 5,000 Units of Housing with over 65% Designated as Affordable in Brooklyn and Queens, Bringing Total Number of Units Created by Council in 2022 to more than 11,000, with over 63% Affordable

 

Council also votes on legislation to advance substance use recovery programs, mental health services, and regulation of catalytic converter sales to prevent auto theft

The Council approved two land use applications in Brooklyn and Queens that will collectively produce over 5,000 new units of housing, 65% of which will be affordable. Over 1,900 of the housing units (over 37%) would be deeply affordable for extremely or very low-income households. The projects, Innovation QNS in Astoria, Queens and Innovative Urban Village in East New York, Brooklyn, demonstrate the Council’s commitment to addressing the City’s housing crisis by approving affordable housing development. With these approvals, the Council has now approved over 40 land use applications since January 2022, creating 11,447 total housing units with over 63% (7,238 units) designated as affordable. 

“As our city grapples with a housing crisis that threatens communities, the Council has advanced major projects that provide tens of thousands of affordable homes to New Yorkers,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “With today’s approval of Innovation QNS and Innovative Urban Village, we are delivering affordable housing and unprecedented public benefits for the residents of Brooklyn, Queens, and the entire city. These projects affirm the Council’s deep commitment to confronting the city’s housing shortage by securing safe, stable, and affordable homes for New Yorkers. We will continue to invest in solutions to the greatest challenges facing our communities and work together to ensure residents can thrive in our city.”

Please Remember BRAC on Giving Tuesday: A Time to Give Back

 

Please Remember BRAC on Giving Tuesday: A Time to Give Back

Dear BRAC patrons,   #GivingTuesday is here. #GivingTuesday is an annual global generosity movement that is designed to unleash the power of people and organizations to transform their communities, and with that the world. BRAC is grateful this year that the pandemic has become more manageable and consequently we were (cautiously) able to resumed all our programming within our spacious facility. But challenges like climate change, inflation, political instability (even war), and more health crises affecting our lives and livelihoods, puts daily pressures on non-profit's ability to do our work successfully. However, through it all, BRAC remains courageous and determined to fulfill our mission to provide quality arts programming to as many people as we can, and in turn provide relief from the challenges we collectively face today. But we cannot do this without your help, so please consider supporting BRAC in any way you can during this giving season.

Make a Giving Tuesday Donation Education Programming for children and adults: (shown)  Printmaking, Digital Illustration, Mixed Media Art, Ceramics,  Digital Photography and Painting. In fact, our 2022-23 programming has been robust, with  multiple art classes in more than10 different fine arts  and digital media classes, serving youth and adults  from age seven - seniors year-round. The gratitude  we received in turn from our program  participants has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, and  it motivates us to do even more and better still. With your help we will succeed, and our home, which is  your home, will remain OPEN, safe, and a refuge that  you can turn to when you want to be creative and inspired. Please remember BRAC on this important day and give what you can to help us give all year long. Your  tax-deductible donations will make all the difference.

The Advocate Bulletin - November 25, 2022

 

A Message from the Public Advocate Friends and fellow New Yorkers, Public safety is not a political talking point to be weaponized, and mental health crises are not to be demonized – these are issues that demand real, informed solutions. For New Yorkers to both be safe and feel safe, it’s vital to treat mental crises as a public health issue, and respond as such, rather than a criminal issue with a law enforcement response. In October of 2019, my office released a report which was both a condemnation of the city’s mental health crisis response and a guide for restructuring and reforming those systems. This report was informed by conversations with and the work of mental health and justice advocates, and was crafted in response to the number of avoidable deaths at the hands of an inadequate, insufficiently trained crisis response system. Since then, progress on this issue has been frustratingly slow – in some ways, the City has gone backwards. In the three years since our initial report, that urgency has not been evident in the actions taken by the administration. The impacts of the pandemic on both our individual and collective mental health, the trauma incurred, have only heightened the need for systemic reform to holistically address this crisis as an issue of health, rather than simply law enforcement. Last week, our office released a new review of the city’s progress toward meeting this issue, the areas in which it has moved backward, and new recommendations to meet the current moment – you can read the review here. My office and I are eager to engage with both the administration and communities across our city in order to re-center and re-imagine mental health responses in our city. It is our responsibility now to realize the reforms needed and the urgency of action, to prevent more suffering and loss. In Advocacy, Jumaane D. Williams

Committing to End Traffic Violence

This past weekend, we joined the Department of Transportation, Families for Safe Streets, and Transportation Alternatives to honor every New Yorker who has died due to traffic violence. As we remember our neighbors who have died, we also must commit ourselves to building safer streets so that everyone can travel without fear. We have already made substantial progress this year towards protecting pedestrians: the city has implemented 24/7 speed cameras, pedestrianized plazas, and re-designed intersections; however, we must do much more to prioritize safe streets and save lives.

Standing with Starbucks Workers

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This Red Cup Day, we picketed with Starbucks workers at the Roastery in Chelsea who are protesting health code violations and demanding a fair contract. While Starbucks continues to rake in record profits and raise prices, it has refused to bargain in good faith with its workers. Food safety inspectors have also found mold in the ice at the Roastery in Chelsea, and we will continue to stand with workers in their fight for fair wages and sanitary working conditions across the five boroughs.

Community Engagement In honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance, LGBTQ  and Health Coordinator Kim Watson-Benjamin  marched with Destination Tomorrow and advocates in  a silent TDOR vigil. Now more than ever, we join in  community remembrance;  watch the Public Advocate’s TDOR message, in the  wake of the tragic shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs. We hope all New Yorkers who celebrated enjoyed  a meaningful, joyful holiday. As families and  friends prepared to come together for a festive  meal, we teamed up with community partners to  ensure there would be a turkey on the table.  In Harlem, First Deputy Public Advocate Nick  E. Smith and Bronx Borough Advocate Socrates  Solano joined elected officials and tenant  leaders to distribute turkeys to Lincoln  Houses residents.  Check out our turkey distribution efforts across NYC! Initiatives Round-up STAY UPDATED - On November 10, we teamed up with uAspire to answer your questions about Federal Student Loan Debt Relief with a Student Loan Debt Relief AMA (Ask Me Anything). Hours later, legal challenges blocked the student debt relief program, and this week, the Biden Administration extended the student loan payment pause until no later than June 30, 2023. Together with partners, we’ll be sure to keep New Yorkers updated on this developing story. Visit uAspire's Debt Relief FAQs to learn more. Follow the Office of the Public Advocate on Eventbrite, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest on office events and initiatives. New Yorkers can also read our office’s official blog, The Advocate. Constituents' Corner In this holiday season, it’s vital that we support our fellow New Yorkers in need. Find out more about how you can donate time and resources to, or make use of, food pantries across the city. As temperatures drop, landlords are legally required to keep your apartment at 62 degrees between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, and 68 degrees between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM, because of a law passed by then-Council Member Williams. If your apartment is colder than this, please call your landlord first, and then call 311. New York City tenants have a right to heat and hot water. You can also connect directly with National Grid’s Consumer Advocate for resources during this winter heating season, from assistance with utility bills to guidance on energy efficiency. Reach them at ngrid.com/consumeradvocates or by calling 718.643.4050 Any New Yorker can always reach out to our office with concerns or requests for support, assistance, and services by contacting gethelp@advocate.nyc.gov or calling 212.669.7250 and leaving a message. At this time, our offices are not open for in-person appointments. NEED ASSISTANCE? Contact the Constituent Services Department Email: gethelp@advocate.nyc.gov Text: (833)933-1692 Hotline: (212)669-7250 Fax: (212)669-4701

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - NOVEMBER 25, 2022

 

Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing and Treatment

24 Statewide Deaths Reported on Nove­­mber 23

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19. 

"With the holiday season now in full swing, I urge New Yorkers to take advantage of all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Stay up to date on vaccine doses, and test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

This week, Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to take common prevention measures - like staying up to date on vaccines and practicing proper hygiene - to protect from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), flu and COVID-19 and reduce the patient burden on local hospitals. Influenza is spreading quickly, with the number of laboratory-confirmed cases statewide having nearly tripled over the past three weeks, while hospitalizations have more than doubled. 

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul launched a new public awareness campaign featuring New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett speaking directly to New Yorkers about three viruses — RSV, flu and COVID-19 — now circulating in the state with similar symptoms and the potential to cause serious illness. Produced by the New York State Department of Health, the videos include a short clip and a longer version geared toward parents; and a version aimed specifically at health care providers.   

Governor Hochul continues to remind New Yorkers that children ages 5 and older may now receive the bivalent booster shots that are recommended to increase protection against COVID-19. 

The Governor also urges New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations. 

In addition, Governor Hochul encourages New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine as flu season is widespread across New York State. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both circulating, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.  

The State Department of Health is continuing its annual public education campaign, reminding adults and parents to get both flu and COVID-19 shots for themselves and children 6 months and older. Advertisements in both English and Spanish language began running last month. 

For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Cases Per 100k - 20.12 
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 19.23
• Test Results Reported - 51,775 
• Total Positive - 3,931 
• Percent Positive - 7.25%**        
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 6.30%**     
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,823 (-59)* 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 437*  
• Patients in ICU - 273 (-8)* 
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 89 (-7)*  
• Total Discharges - 365,309 (+457)*  
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 24*    
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 59,334*    

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data — not percent positivity.   

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.   

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data — not percent positivity.  

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 75,689

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.       

• Total vaccine doses administered - 42,772,386
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 18,052
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 2,368,329
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 85.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 89.8% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older who are up to date - 11.9%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series - 74.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 75.7%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 who are up to date - 4.0%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 76.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 79.9% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers who are up to date - 10.2% 

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:         

Borough	Tuesday,   Nov.,   22, 2022	Wed.,   Nov.,   23,2022	Thursday,   Nov.,   24, 2022
Bronx	7.11%	7.03%	7.15%
Kings	5.91%	5.92%	6.21%
New York	6.32%	6.40%	6.56%
Queens	7.10%	7.36%	7.60%
Richmond	5.17%	5.35%	5.79%