Affordable Housing for Seniors Launches at 2528 Grand Avenue in Fordham Manor

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 2528 Grand Avenue, an eight-story residential building in Fordham Manor, The Bronx. Designed by Angelo Ng & Anthony NG Architects and developed by Long Guang Lin under the KBH Realty NYC LLC, the structure yields 59 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 19 units for residents at 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $59,486 to $134,160. 

At least one household member needs to be 62 years old or over. Amenities include pet-friendly policies, a shared laundry room, elevator, and a rooftop terrace. Units come with hardwood floors. Tenants are responsible for electricity.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are nine one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,651 for incomes ranging from $59,486 to $111,840, and 34 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,705 for incomes ranging from $92,743 to $167,570.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than October 24, 2024.

Four Men Charged with Violating Export and Firearms Laws

 

Haitham Al-Dulaimi, 30, Haider Lazem, 41, Hasan Wasak, 27, and Abdullah Alsajee, 30, all of Louisville, Kentucky, were arrested pursuant to a now-unsealed indictment. They were charged with conspiracy to: violate the Export Control Reform Act, smuggle goods from the United States, engage in the business of dealing firearms without a license, make false statements in the purchase of firearms, and defraud the United States government. The indictment also charges Alsajee, Lazem, and Wasak with making false statements in the purchase of firearms.

According to the indictment, from February 2023 through September 2024, Al-Dulaimi, Lazem, Wasak, and Alsajee conspired to export firearms, including Glocks, Rugers, Sig Sauers, and Smith & Wessons, from the United States to Iraq, without obtaining the required export licenses. In furtherance of the conspiracy, Wasak, Alsajee, and Lazem, procured firearms from federal firearm licensees and at gun shows in the Louisville area. Wasak, Alsajee, and Lazem then delivered the firearms to Al-Dulaimi, who arranged them for the export to Iraq. Thirty-eight firearms were detained by law enforcement from a shipment sent by Al-Dulaimi intended for Iraq.

If convicted, Al-Dulaimi, Lazem, Alsajee, and Wasak face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for violations of export control laws, and five years in prison for the conspiracy charge. Lazem, Alsajee, and Wasak also face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Al-Dulaimi faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for smuggling and five years in prison for dealing in firearms without a license. The indictment also notifies defendants that the United States intends to forfeit firearms alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch, Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Louisville Field Division, and Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville Field Office announced the case.

The ATF, HSI, and FBI are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia P. Gomez for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Leslie C. Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Governor Hochul Extends Application Deadline for Income Eligible Homeowners to Apply for Emergency Repair Grants for July and August Extreme Weather Events

Eligible Homeowners May Apply From Chautauqua, Madison, Erie, Oneida, Essex, Saratoga, Lewis and Warren Counties for July 10-16, 2024 Severe Weather Events

Eligible Homeowners May Apply From Allegany, Oswego, Delaware, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Steuben and Jefferson Counties for August 9-10, 2024 Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby

Eligible Homeowners May Apply From Nassau and Suffolk Counties for August 18-19, 2024 Severe Weather Events 

Governor Kathy Hochul extended the application deadline for homeowners to apply for emergency repair grants for the July and August 2024 extreme weather events across the state. Under this program, administered by Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), emergency home repair assistance is available to eligible homeowners who reside in the impacted counties below. Funding up to $50,000 may be used for emergency housing repairs necessary to make the home safe, sanitary and habitable. The application deadline has now been extended to Friday, November 8.

“Extreme weather events have become all too common in our state, and my administration is committed to providing relief to New Yorkers in need,” Governor Hochul said. “These emergency repair grants are giving families the opportunity to rebuild — providing a lifeline to New Yorkers as they recover from these devastating storms.”

Funds are available to eligible homeowners for their primary residence where flood or insurance coverage or other forms of disaster recovery funds are not sufficient to return the home to a safe and habitable condition. The program is administered by non-profit organizations and serves the following counties:

• July 10-16, 2024 severe weather events: Eligible Counties - Chautauqua, Madison, Erie, Oneida, Essex, Saratoga, Lewis, Warren
• August 9-10, 2024 severe weather events: Eligible Counties - Allegany, Oswego, Delaware, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Steuben, Jefferson
• August 18-19, 2024 severe weather events: Eligible Counties - Nassau and Suffolk

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “New York is ready to help eligible homeowners rebuild and repair following the major storms this past summer. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and our local partners for helping ensure homeowners have the resources they need to make their homes safe.”

More information on the program, including guidelines, administrators and income requirements is available by storm on HCR’s website.

Senator Julia Salazar - Newsletter: Voting Made Easy

 

Dear Neighbor,

Election Day is November 5--and almost here! Our newsletter explains how New York makes voting easy. Please read on for info on voting by mail, voting early, voting on election day, and registering to vote in the first place.

All New Yorkers can now request to vote by mail. You do not need a reason and can request a ballot online. 

To request a mail-in ballot, visit www.vote.nyc/RequestBallot.

Mail-in ballot requests for the General Election must be received by October 26.

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than November 5 for the General.

You can also bring your mail-in ballot to your early voting location, or deliver it in person to the Board of Elections.

Depending on where you live, your early voting site may be different from your normal Election Day polling site. 

Click here to find your Ealy Voting Polling Site.

EARLY VOTING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 3.

Visit www.Vote.NYC to find your early voting hours.

Vote in Person on Election Day General Election Day is November 5.  Polls are open from 6am - 9pm.  For more information, contact the Bronx Board of Elections by calling (718) 299- 9017.

New York offers online voter registration at this link.  Additionally, you can register by mail to vote in New York by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office.  You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.    Voting is integral to our democracy and making our communities safer, healthier, and more prosperous. I urge all eligible voters to register--and to vote however works best for you!    Sincerely   Julia Salazar, Senate District 18