Governor Hochul Celebrates Annual Dominican Day Parade and Highlights Recent Efforts to Strengthen Ties Between New York and the Dominican Republic

 

Governor Met With President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic To Discuss Opportunities For Economic And Cultural Collaboration

Announces Banco de Reservas de la Republica Dominicana Approved to Open Representative Office in New York, First-Ever in the United States

Highlights $1.5 Million For Dominican Studies Institute At City College (CUNY DSI)

Signs Legislation S.4329-A /A.3935-A Authorizing Department of Motor Vehicles to Allow People to Exchange Their Valid Overseas License for a New York Driver’s License If Agreement Is Reached With Foreign Government

Ahead of the Dominican Day Parade, Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated New York’s Dominican community and highlighted the close ties between New York and the Dominican Republic. Governor Hochul met with Dominican President Luis Abinader, announced that the Dominican Republic’s largest commercial bank was approved to open a representative office in New York, highlighted $1.5 million in State funding for the Dominican Studies Institute at City College and signed new legislation allowing the Department of Motor Vehicles to reach agreements with governments outside the United States that could allow individuals to exchange their driver’s licenses.

"New York wouldn't be New York without our Dominican community," Governor Hochul said. "Today and every day, I am so grateful to the Dominican community for their work in making New York State a better place and will continue to work to ensure that New York remains a great place for Dominican Americans to call home."

Governor Hochul met with Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic as well as Congressman Adriano Espaillat and other Dominican officials. The leaders had a productive conversation, discussing the many opportunities for cultural and economic collaboration between New York State and the Dominican Republic. Governor Hochul expressed her commitment to be a strong partner to the Dominican Republic and to the large Dominican population that calls New York home.

To strengthen the bond between the Dominican Republic and New York, the Department of Financial Services has approved a license for Banco de Reservas de la Republica Dominicana, or Banreservas, to open a representative office in New York, their first-ever office in the United States. Banreservas is the largest commercial bank in the Dominican Republic and provides a wide range of critical banking services and financial products, including remittance services. The office will serve as a hub to build community and business connections between the Dominican Republic and New York City.

Banreservas joins over 120 foreign and wholesale banking institutions with assets of more than $2.7 trillion that have been licensed by the department. The approval of this representative office, located in Upper Manhattan at 2420 Amsterdam Avenue, puts Banreservas in the world’s financial epicenter and enhances the deep economic ties between New York State and the Dominican Republic.

Home to nearly one million people of Dominican descent, New York State has been working to strengthen the bond between the Dominican Republic and the United States. The Dominican Studies Institute at City College (CUNY DSI) is the nation's first university-based research institute devoted to the study of people of Dominican descent in the United States and other parts of the world. This year, Governor Hochul announced that CUNY DSI will receive $1.5 million to support ongoing operations and initiatives to preserve the culture and history of Dominican New Yorkers.

Additionally, Governor Hochul signed Legislation S.4329-A /A.3935-A which authorizes the DMV to enter into agreements with governments outside of the United States to allow new residents from those countries to exchange their valid license for a valid New York driver’s license, without passing any knowledge or road test. The DMV must determine that the other country in the agreement has a “comparable licensing process” including knowledge and road testing.

The law sets requirements for the agreements, including that the exchange would only apply to drivers over the age of 18; that it would apply only to standard licenses, not commercial licenses or motorcycle licenses; and that parties to the agreement must confirm through designated officials that the applicant has a valid license to exchange. License reciprocity would be subject to the timing of the executed agreement between DMV and the foreign government.

Statement from Comptroller Brad Lander on New York Supreme Court Ruling on Medicare Advantage

 

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released the following statement in response to the New York Supreme Court ruling on shifting retirees to a Medicare Advantage plan:

“This ruling is a win for the many retirees who fought for the health care that they worked so hard for and were promised. When the Medicare Advantage contract was submitted to us this spring, our office declined to register it because we were concerned that litigation raised doubts about the City’s authority to enter into the contract. This decision shows we were right to do so.

“As a matter of public policy, beyond the scope of our office’s specific Charter responsibility for contract registration, I was and remain seriously concerned about the privatization of Medicare plans, overbilling by insurance companies, and barriers to care under Medicare Advantage. It is vital that all seniors—and all New Yorkers—get quality health coverage as a basic human right.

“At the same time, given the growing costs of health care for both retirees and active employees we cannot ignore that there are real cost questions facing the City when it comes to health care. It is time for all parties to come to the table to identify creative and effective solutions.”

Governor Hochul Announces More Than $38.6 Million for Supportive Housing Projects

 

Funding Awards Will Lead to the Creation of 410 Units of Permanent Supportive Housing for Formerly Homeless New Yorkers

State-Funded Program is Aimed at Breaking Cycles of Homelessness; Part of Governor Hochul's $25 Billion Five-Year Housing Plan

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $38.6 million for housing projects in the New York City, Long Island, and Southern Tier regions that will provide permanent supportive housing for individuals who have experienced homelessness. Supported by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, the awards will fund the creation of 410 units to serve formerly homeless individuals, including those with a mental illness or substance use disorder, and survivors of domestic violence among others.

"Permanent, supportive housing can have a transformational impact on the lives of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness,” Governor Hochul said. "By funding these projects, we are able to provide the services and support necessary to help New Yorkers break the cycle of homelessness and provide them with a safe and stable place to call home.”

The grants were awarded through a competitive process by the New York State Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation, a public benefit corporation staffed by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Through this program, New York State has appropriated more than $1.6 billion toward the development of supportive housing, creating more than 26,000 units of housing to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

The awards include three projects totaling more than $20.6 million that are being funded through the $128 million allocated for the program in the FY 2023 Budget. With these awards, the state has fully appropriated this funding to projects that will build 1,093 units of permanent supportive housing, 32 new units of emergency housing and preserve one unit of emergency housing.

Also awarded were two projects totaling $17.9 million from the $128 million allocated through the FY 2024 Budget. These projects are expected to collectively add 250 units of supportive housing.

The latest projects awarded funding include:

• Mercy Haven, Inc., $4 million to develop eight units in Hempstead in Nassau County. Hempstead Homeless Housing will renovate two existing multi-unit residential homes on two separate sites.
• YWCA of Binghamton and Broome County, $6.6 million to develop 38 units in Binghamton in Broome County. Part of a larger project, the Lisle Avenue Apartments will construct a four-story building for the residential component and renovate an adjacent building to serve as a childcare center.
• Bowery Residents’ Committee, Inc., $10 million to develop 114 units in Manhattan. The Hill Top Apartments will provide supportive housing for frequent users of the New York City Health and Hospitals (H+H) system who have behavioral health conditions and a history of homelessness.
• Breaking Ground II Housing Development Fund Corporation, $10 million to develop 217 units in New York City. The 1760 Third Avenue project will convert an existing 19-story former student dormitory in the East Harlem section of Manhattan.
• WellLife Network, Inc., $7.9 million to develop 33 units in Medford in Suffolk County. Part of a larger project, Medford Gardens will construct a fully electric and accessible three-story apartment building.

The Homeless Housing and Assistance Program is an important component of Governor Hochul's $25 billion, five-year, comprehensive housing plan, which was initially adopted as part of the FY 2023 Budget. Governor Hochul's plan will help create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York State, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations.

New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "Welcoming, safe, and supportive housing is critical for the recovery of individuals living with mental illness and addiction. It gives a solid foundation upon which to build their lives. The projects announced by Governor Hochul today will benefit these individuals, their families, and their entire communities”

New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, "Supportive housing is a critical component in recovery from substance use disorder. The risk of homelessness can be a significant barrier to a person’s recovery. The funds made available through the homeless housing and assistance program will help promote self-reliance, support successful long-term recovery, and increase overall quality of life for families and individuals.”

Wells Fargo Hits $780M Financing Milestone For New York City Affordable Housing Projects

 

Aerial view of Edgemere Commons - Aufgang Architects

The Community Lending and Investment division of Wells Fargo has reached a new milestone, $780.3 million in construction financing for affordable housing projects in New York City and Westchester County. The figure represents five loans, all closed in June 2023, the company’s largest-ever half-cycle allocation.

The list of New York City developments includes Peninsula Phase II, Wakefield Yards, and Blondell Commons in The Bronx, as well as Edgemere Commons Building B1 in Queens. St. Clair, the fifth and final project, is located in Yonkers. Together, these projects will yield more than 1,100 apartments.

The division, abbreviated as CLI, provided $250.6 million in debt and equity financing to Gilbane Development Company, The Hudson Companies, and MHANY Management for Peninsula Phase 2, the second phase of the redevelopment of the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Facility in The Bronx. Located in the borough’s Hunts Point neighborhood, the project will comprise 359 affordable units, all reserved for households earning up to 70 percent Area Median Income (AMI). A total of fifty-four apartments will be set aside for formerly homeless tenants.

The building will also house a new daycare and a community facility for two local non-profit organizations.

Rendering of The Peninsula affordable housing campus – WXY Architecture + Urban Design

For Wakefield Yards, CLI provided $179.1 million in financing to Radson Development. When complete, the project will create 251 affordable units for households earning up to 80 percent AMI. This includes 38 apartments set aside for the formerly homeless.

A $147.1 million package provided to Exact Capital Group will be used to complete Blondell Commons, a 182-unit affordable housing property in Westchester Square, Bronx. Available apartments will be reserved for households earning up to 70 percent AMI.

Rendering of the next affordable housing property to debut at Edgemere Commons – Courtesy of Aufgang Architects

Tishman Speyer’s TS Communities received $138.6 million from CLI for their sprawling Edgemere Commons affordable housing complex in Far Rockaway, Queens. The loan will support completion of Building B1 located at the corner of Beach Channel Drive and Beach 52nd Street. The 247,000-square-foot building will comprise 237 apartments for households between 30 percent and 80 percent AMI, including 36 apartments reserved for the formerly homeless.

The building will also house 8,000 square feet of retail space, and a 7,500-square-foot community facility. Upon completion Edgemere Commons will have 11 buildings and encompass around 2,050 apartments.

The smallest financial package, a $65 million loan, was provided to MacQuesten Development for St. Clair, a 76-unit, 100 percent affordable project located in Yonkers. The 10-story property occupies a trio of parcels at 32 Main Street, 36-38 Main Street, and Riverdale Avenue, and will create 76 apartments. Available homes will be reserved for households earning from 50 percent to 80 percent AMI.

Wave Hill Weekly Events: September 1 – September 7

 

Hello, September! Get ready for cooler weather, fall gourds and the sweet scents of late-summer blooms. Join a garden walk to learn about what's in the garden now or check out the exhibitions in our Glyndor Gallery. This weekend, the Family Art Project will include a storytime program in the Gund Theater. 

Wave Hill will be open on Labor Day, Mon, Sep 5. We hope your long weekend is filled with warmth and relaxation.   

Family Art Project: Symbiotic Scenes 

Sat, Sep 2, 2023, 10AM–1PM 

Sun, Sep 3, 2023, 10AM–1PM 

Free with admission to the grounds  

Have you ever heard the saying “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours”? That’s symbiosis! Discover nature’s fascinating symbiotic relationships, then create a diorama to highlight your favorite plant or animal partnerships. At 11:30AM, families may enjoy a storytime program in the Gund Theater, all ages welcome.  

Public Gallery Tour 

Sat, Sep 2, 2023, 2–2:45PM 

Free with admission to the grounds 

Solo and group exhibitions at Glyndor Gallery explore the dynamic relationships between nature, culture and site. When exhibitions are on view in the spring, summer and fall, Gallery Greeters lead public exhibition tours on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Visitors can expect an in-depth look at artworks on view in Glyndor Gallery and in the Sunroom Project Space, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists in the unique context of a public garden. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.   

Public Garden Highlights Walk 

Sun, Sep 3, 2023, 2–2:45PM 

Free with admission to the grounds 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide—come back for an encore; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Severe weather cancels. 

Public Garden Highlights Walk 

Mon, Sep 4, 2023, 2–2:45PM 

Free with admission to the grounds 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens on this holiday Monday. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide—come back for an encore: each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Severe weather cancels.  

Public Garden Highlights Walk 

Thu, Sep 7, 2023, 12–12:45PM 

Free and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 

Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens on this holiday Monday. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide—come back for an encore: each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Severe weather cancels. 

Public Gallery Tour 

Thu, Sep 7, 2023, 2-2:45PM 

Free and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays 

Solo and group exhibitions at Glyndor Gallery explore the dynamic relationships between nature, culture and site. When exhibitions are on view in the spring, summer and fall, Gallery Greeters lead public exhibition tours on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Visitors can expect an in-depth look at artworks on view in Glyndor Gallery and in the Sunroom Project Space, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists in the unique context of a public garden. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.  

HOURS: 10AM–5:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday 

Shuttle Service runs Thursday–Sunday 

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.  

Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr. Holds Back to School Event in Loreto Playground

Friday afternoon at 3 PM Assemblyman John Zaccaro held a back to school event in Loreto Playground. Hundreds of book bags with school supplies were given out according to a spokesperson for the assemblyman. The line of parents and children went from one end of the playground to the other and outside the fence. 

Those involved included the Assemblyman's office, The Carpenters Contractor Alliance of Metropolitan New York, the New York City Parks Department, The Morris Park BID, LINC Literacy inc., a local  pediatrics office, and the office of Councilwoman Velazquez.

Albanian American Open Hands Association President Aleksander Nilaj, Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr., and Director of Community Relations for the Carpenters Contractor Alliance of Metropolitan New York Yovan Collado.  

The Morris Park BID staff with Assemblyman Zaccaro Jr.

Assemblyman Zaccaro Jr. and Joe McManus of Congressman Ritchie Torres's office (far right) and representatives of the Parks Department.

Assemblyman Zaccaro Jr. with staffers from Councilwoman Velazquez's office. 

The line of children and their parent stretched from one end of the playground to the other and outside.

The assemblyman would greet many of the parents and children handing out informational card with information where to call or go to solve certain problems.

Since the event was held in Morris Park, the men and women of the Morris Park Patrol were on hand to keep things going smoothly.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State’s Ongoing Efforts to Shelter and Support Asylum Seekers

 

As Part of $1 Billion Commitment, Governor Hochul Advances $250 Million to New York City to Reimburse Costs from Asylum Seeker Aid

State Personnel Have Coordinated Federal Visits To Floyd Bennett Field, Fort Wadsworth and Will Meet With U.S. Department of the Interior Officials Tomorrow, Building On Productive Meeting Between Governor Hochul and White House Senior Advisor Tom Perez

State-Owned Sites At Lincoln Correctional and JFK Airport Are Currently Sheltering Asylum Seekers, State-Funded Sites at Creedmoor and Randall's Island Are Set to Welcome Asylum Seekers This Week

Governor Hochul Will Deploy Additional National Guard Personnel to Erie County to Provide Logistical and Operational Support for Shelter Sites

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state’s ongoing efforts to support asylum seekers, help them find shelter, and connect them with critical social services as they arrive in New York. This includes $250 million in funding already sent to the City, progress resulting from continued advocacy with the federal government, and additional National Guard deployments.

"Since asylum seekers first arrived in New York, we have been providing significant humanitarian aid as New York City works to meet their legal obligation to provide shelter," Governor Hochul said. "We will continue our efforts to provide financial support, personnel and equipment, and continued advocacy for federal assistance.”

As a part of the $1 billion in funding Governor Hochul secured in the FY 2024 State Budget, the Governor advanced $250 million to the City to reimburse their costs; this financial support will continue as the City continues to make additional financial expenditures. The $250 million payment to New York City will be used to financially support Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers (HERRC), sanctuary sites, and respite renters, as well as welcome, intake, and navigation centers that provide immediate assistance to asylum seekers.

Funding in the FY 2024 Budget provides a 29 percent reimbursement to New York City for allowable costs associated with operating these programs. Eligible costs include, but are not limited to:

• Staffing, security, maintenance, and cleaning
• Critical social services provided at program sites
• Shelter costs, food, and personal supplies or services (such as clothing, linens, hygiene items, beds, diapers, laundry services, etc.)
• Transportation and Interpretation services
• IT supplies and support

A $25 million investment was included in the FY 2024 Budget to voluntarily relocate 1,250 families – approximately 4,375 individuals – who have already applied for asylum; this funding is in addition to more than $700 million in the FY 2024 Budget allocated for temporary shelter at hotels and mass shelter sites. At this time, 17 families who are willing to participate and eligible to participate have been identified by the City and are in this State-funded program and the State will continue to support relocation for additional families as they opt into the program. Participants in this program, who are on the path to work authorization in the United States, will be relocated and matched with social service agencies who can help them adjust and resettle while NYS pays for their rent.

In addition to Governor Hochul's meeting with Tom Perez, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President of the United States, federal officials have increased their assistance to New York in recent weeks following months of advocacy from Governor Hochul and local leaders. State, federal, and city officials toured federally-owned sites at Floyd Bennett Field and Fort Wadsworth to assess their suitability for sheltering asylum seekers. Hochul Administration officials will also be meeting with U.S. Department of Interior officials tomorrow to discuss federally-owned land that could be appropriate to use as shelter.

Governor Hochul also announced the deployment of additional New York National Guard personnel and assets to asylum seeker sites in Erie County. The deployment to Erie County builds on more than 1,800 National Guard personnel who are currently providing logistical and operational support to shelters in New York City. More than 30 of the hotel-based shelter sites in New York City are staffed exclusively by New York State National Guard personnel and an additional 18 are primarily staffed through these State personnel.

A shelter site on state-owned land at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens will open next week and will have the capacity to house up to 1,000 asylum seekers, and a shelter site that is fully paid for by the State of New York will open shortly on Randall's Island. The State has already loaned New York City sites at the former Lincoln Correctional Facility in Manhattan and at a state-owned building at JFK Airport in Queens, both of which opened in June and house more than 1,000 asylum seekers every day.

Statement from Speaker Adams on Mayor’s Asylum Seeker Crisis Address

 

“All levels of government must come together to share responsibility for the nation’s response to the dire humanitarian conditions that have led increasing numbers of people to seek asylum here. As this international crisis continues, New York City needs more support from our federal and state governments to provide and set up shelter locations and devote additional funding. Expedited federal work authorization is immediately needed to help our newest arrivals enter the workforce, achieve the self-sufficiency they desire, and contribute the benefits to our economy that we know are possible.

“To address the long-term drivers of our current challenges, the city, state and federal governments will have to collaboratively tackle the housing crisis and record homelessness impacting New York City. We must increase production of affordable housing and supportive housing and advance solutions that move people out of the shelter system through actions required of us as city officials, as well as those in Albany and Washington, D.C.

“New York City will continue to demonstrate compassion to help those seeking to establish a better life here, but we must do so while also ensuring that we are efficiently and effectively utilizing all resources in providing support. The Council will continue to advance partnership and solutions as the pathway towards stability and success for our city.”