NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE INTRODUCES ‘HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS’ AS CITY CONTINUES SWEEPS TO CLEAR ENCAMPMENTS

 

As the mayoral administration continues its efforts to sweep and remove homeless encampments, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams is introducing legislation today in the City Council declaring a first-of-its-kind ‘Homeless Bill of Rights,’ which would codify the rights of homeless individuals both outside of and within the city’s shelter system, as well as standards required to be met within shelters.

“We're in a moment when the homelessness crisis is worsening, a wave of pending evictions threatens to worsen it, and homeless individuals are being targeted, demonized, and dehumanized,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams on introducing the legislation. “Both inside and outside of shelters, unhoused people feel like they’re left without support, without options, without rights or recourse, amid a system that has failed for so long, and has left people feeling abandoned and powerless. Now more than ever, we need a homeless bill of rights – and homeless individuals need to be informed of those rights – to ensure that they are upheld, and that people are empowered to demand what they deserve.”

The bill, Intro 190, would require the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) to produce a Homeless Bill of Rights, which would inform people experiencing homelessness about their rights and services available to them. In addition, DHS would be required to make this document available on its website and to provide it to shelters and social services offices for distribution to people experiencing homelessness. Council Member Rafael Salamanca is a co-prime sponsor of the bill.  

The legislation would codify the right to:

Shelter
Access to legal services
Request an interpreter and have documents translated when interacting with city agencies
Educational options for children experiencing homelessness
Voting rights, voter registration and how to find polling places
Information on how to file a complaint and protections against retaliation for filing complaints
Housing and financial assistance
Protections against discrimination
The right to request accommodations for disabilities

It also details the rights of individuals in shelters, including:


Meet privately with advocates and legal representatives
Leave and return to the shelter outside of curfew hours and request early and late passes
Participate in recreational activities
Be placed in a room with a person who identifies as the same gender
A private room with a lock for families experiencing homelessness
A secure locker for single adults experiencing homelessness
Access to bathrooms
Access to washing machines and dryers or to money for laundry
Access to space and equipment to bathe and change babies and small children
Meals and accommodations for dietary needs and restrictions

“The rights that this legislation would codify are a floor, not a ceiling. They're a base standard, a moral and legal obligation that the city must meet for vulnerable unhoused New Yorkers,” continued the Public Advocate. “By establishing this bill of rights, we are empowering individuals, elected leaders, and organizations to hold the city accountable to those rights being protected as we continue to push for the true solution to the homelessness crisis: housing."

While these standards are present in agency rules and other city guidances, the legislation synthesizes them into a single declaration. Aggregating, codifying, distributing and publicizing these rights will help to ensure they are upheld, and empower homeless individuals to self-advocate if these rights are violated.

Read the legislation in full here.

“Providing for our most vulnerable in their greatest time of need will always be a central focus of the New York City Council,' stated Council Member Rafael Salamanca, 17th Council District, The Bronx. “At a time when almost 60,000 New Yorkers continue to navigate a post-pandemic world while calling city shelters home, it is imperative that these New Yorkers know what protections they have in place to safeguard them and their families. Partnering with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, I am proud to co-sponsor the creation of a homeless bill of rights document that shall include information on the rights and services guaranteed to those experiencing homelessness. From the right to access legal services to what is and isn't proper housing accommodations, the homeless bill of rights will ensure the voices of ALL New Yorkers are heard.”

“The Housing Bill of Rights is critical to the needs of all New Yorkers, especially those who identify as Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary & Intersex,” said Bryan J. Ellicott of Princess Janae Place Inc. “We need our community to know that how you identify is to be respected and not just tolerated. The document needs reads clear to ensure that people are knowledgeable of their rights and can refer to them at any time, during their period of homelessness."

"I am stuck in one of the most dangerous shelters in New York City, because the case workers around me aren't given the resources to get me an apartment with the voucher I have," said Douglas Powell, a leader at VOCAL-NY. "We need leaders who are going to value all people, and work to get folks like me housed."

“Homeless New Yorkers are New Yorkers through and through, and they, like all of us, need to know their rights,” said Emerita Torres, Vice President for Policy, Research and Advocacy at the Community Service Society of New York. “This important legislation will ensure that clear messages regarding universal rights to education, legal representation, voting and more will reach our neighbors experiencing homelessness.”

INDEPENDENT REVIEW FINDS STATE PENSION FUND OPERATES UNDER HIGHEST ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

 

Fund Lauded for Performance During COVID-19 Pandemic An independent fiduciary and conflict of interest review of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund), released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, commended the Comptroller and Fund staff for holding “themselves to the highest ethical, professional and conflict of interest standards” and for being “well-prepared for the challenges that the [COVID-19] pandemic posed.” The review was conducted by Kroll LLC. “The New York State Common Retirement Fund has proven once again to be a leader in transparency, ethics and performance,” DiNapoli said. “I’m proud of the outstanding work my staff has performed, especially under the difficult circumstances imposed by the pandemic. Amid very turbulent times for the markets, we will look to act on Kroll’s recommendations and ensure the Fund is well positioned for the years ahead to protect the pension benefits of our over 1.1 million members.” Kroll reviewed documents for all investment transactions requiring DiNapoli’s approval during the review period of April 1, 2018, through March 31, 2021. Kroll concluded the transactions were approved and closed according to the Fund’s policies and legal requirements. The analysis concluded that: “From the Comptroller down through the organization, Common Retirement Fund staff were knowledgeable, professional, and dedicated to their roles and we did not discover any unethical behavior or misconduct. The Common Retirement Fund was able to sustain operational integrity and meet their fiduciary duties despite the challenges presented by the pandemic. The Common Retirement Fund, under the leadership of the Comptroller, continues to be a leader amongst its peers for management and operational transparency.” Kroll noted the great strides the Fund made in implementing past recommendations, particularly in staffing, but recommended adding staff and resources for compliance and information technology. In addition, Kroll recommended that the Fund establish a committee or working group to prepare for high-impact, unlikely events and develop policies and procedures to mitigate risks they might pose. The independent review is mandated every three years as part of the regulatory framework established by the Department of Financial Services in partnership with the State Comptroller’s office in 2008. This is the fourth review completed since then. Report The Fiduciary and Conflict of Interest Review of the New York State Common Retirement Fund  Prior Reviews 2019 Report 2016 Report 2013 Report Background on New York State Common Retirement Fund The New York State Common Retirement Fund is one of the largest public pension funds in the United States with assets of approximately $279.7 billion as of Dec. 31, 2021. The Fund holds and invests the assets of the New York State and Local Retirement System on behalf of more than one million state and local government employees and retirees and their beneficiaries. It has consistently been ranked as one of the best managed and best funded plans in the nation.

News from Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

 

Dear Neighbors,

 

As we commemorate the first 100 days since we took office, I want to once again thank all of you for your support of our administration, our team and our mission of bringing the Bronx forward. As a borough, we have been presented with many challenges as we continue to combat COVID-19, housing insecurity, hunger, gun violence and a myriad of other issues impacting our residents and families. Even now, we are still mourning the loss of one of our youth that was senselessly gunned down this weekend during yet another instance of gun violence. It is heartbreaking and continues to be unacceptable but we cannot allow this to define our borough. During hard times our community comes together and we support each other.

 

The Bronx is more than the narrative others have created for us. Despite all of the challenges, there is much to celebrate and be thankful for. I have been so grateful for the opportunity to serve during this time as your Bronx Borough President and to see many of you at our testing kit distributions, cultural celebrations, rallies, neighborhood association meetings, and other events throughout the Bronx. We will be sharing information on the work our administration has accomplished during our first 100 days in the days to come.

 

Our team is also excited for the launch of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation`s website. The mission of BOEDC is to strengthen and expand current Bronx-based businesses, as well as to provide incentives to encourage businesses to establish or relocate to The Bronx and maximize employment opportunities for Bronx residents. This website is a resource that we hope you will take advantage of and share with other business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the borough. 

 

Tax season is also here. If you or someone you know needs assistance, New York City has a number of free resources available to you and your family. You can visit BronxWorks for more information.

 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov. I also want to continue to send my prayers of strength to the family and friends of Angellyh Yambo during this difficult time.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

n the Community

BP Gibson spoke with PIX 11 about distributing hundreds of items to the families affected by the Twin Parks fire in January. BP Gibson joined BRAG and faith leaders to denounce gun violence in our borough.

BP Gibson attended the Grand Council of Guardians 15th Annual Women's History Awards and Scholarships Ceremony alongside many other incredible women leaders. BP Gibson attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the William Austen Marine Education and Seamanship Center, Student Learning Center, and Marine Engineering Systems Laboratory.

Supporting our Neighbors

On April 5th and 6th, we distributed hundreds of items to the  impacted families from Twin Parks North West as part of a concerted effort to ensure the residents continue to get the  support that they need. Thank you to: Everyone that stepped up during our borough’s time of need and  donated. Some of our community partners including (but not limited to)  LYFT, Macy’s, the New York City Economic Development  Corporation and National Supermarket Association. The Kingsbridge Armory for allowing us to store these items at  their location and hospitality. The New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar and Lounge  Association for their generous donation of food for the impacted  families and volunteers. Our staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly these past few  weeks to organize this relief effort.

Alessandra Biaggi - Why I voted no on parts of the state budget

 

Friend, it’s Alessandra.

Last week, I voted against two of the seven bills in Governor Kathy Hochul’s first budget. I’m reaching out because I want you to hear directly from me why I voted this way.

The truth is that the 2022-2023 budget offers kickbacks to corporations and billionaires while leaving working families in our state behind.

The budget simply does not allocate enough funding to fight the climate crisis, support CUNY and SUNY, pay home care workers a living wage, fund healthcare, and support affordable housing development in our state.

It denies undocumented New Yorkers the ability to access childcare and rolls back key criminal justice reform legislation, and provides a kickback of $600 million to the Buffalo Bills for their new stadium, a provision that I voted against.

Additionally, Gov. Hochul made a promise to clean up corruption in our state after the lack of transparency that marked the Cuomo administration. As Chair of the Senate Ethics committee, this was a promise I cared deeply about. Her budget this year allocated funding for a new ethics body to replace the Joint Committee on Public Ethics (JCOPE), the board in charge of setting standards for ethics in state government. But the newly proposed body doesn’t have the tools to solve the persistent integrity problems that plagued JCOPE.

There are aspects of this budget that are worthy of praise, which I was proud to vote in favor for. More New Yorkers than ever will now have access to childcare, and childcare providers will get the support they deserve from the state.

And the budget provides funding to pay for absentee ballot postage and allows poll sites to be opened on college campuses so that every eligible New Yorker can vote easily and quickly.

I’m looking forward to seeing how these policies positively impact New Yorkers’ lives, but I also recognize that Governor Hochul’s budget does not do nearly enough to uplift working New Yorkers.

I will continue to do all I can to fight for policies that improve the lives of New Yorkers of all ages, races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. That’s my promise to you.

Thank you for reading,

Alessandra

EDITOR'S NOTE:

This is letter is about State Senator Biaggi's vote in the State Senate, and we feel that it should say State Senate District #34, and not Biaggi for Congress. We also wonder if Senator Biaggi has sought the Working Families Party Line like many of her allies have.

Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 4/11/22-4/15/22

 

Dear Community,

A week ago, the New York State Legislature and Executive approved the 2022-2023 State Budget. Although the Budget ultimately passed, I voted no on the Education, Labor and Family Assistance, and Capital Budget bills because I believe that New Yorkers deserved more. This year’s budget provided ample opportunity for our government to prioritize struggling New Yorkers and fully invest in our communities. Yet, instead of utilizing this crucial moment with much needed investments in housing, child care, education, healthcare, climate justice and more, our Governor insisted on handing out corporate welfare to billionaires and prioritizing her personal interests. 

This budget also failed to transform and overhaul our system of ethics and oversight. In the wake of one of the state's largest ethical crises, we had the opportunity to establish a new and truly independent ethics body that can finally turn the page on endemic corruption in government. Instead, the new ethics entity created – the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government– fails to correct the structural shortcomings of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) by allowing political leaders to directly appoint members to the commission tasked with overseeing them. Our system of ethics remains weak, and we will only continue to encounter the same issues that we faced with JCOPE until these flaws are addressed. 

The state budget consists of the people’s money, and as elected officials, it is our responsibility to utilize public funds in a manner that is beneficial to the greatest number of New Yorkers. Unfortunately, this budget falls short in providing meaningful investments in addressing our climate crisis, fails to provide transformative investment needed for SUNY and CUNY, shortchanges home health care workers, and yet again fails to establish the Housing Voucher Access Program. The budget also excludes undocumented New Yorkers from vital child care programs and falls short of guaranteeing health coverage for all. Instead, Governor Hochul introduced harmful criminal justice rollbacks during the eleventh hour of the budget process, without giving the Legislature adequate time for deliberation and instead insisted on handing out corporate welfare to the 5th highest paid owner in the NFL. The purpose of the State Budget is to invest in the future of our state — not to introduce policy or advance political agendas rooted in misinformation and fear mongering. The best way to guarantee safety and wellness in our communities is by investing in them. Unfortunately, we missed several opportunities in this budget to make those investments. 

I do want to acknowledge that despite the shortcomings, we have made progress with this budget. We are making historic investments to expand access to child care and provide needed support to child care providers. We are improving access to the polls by instituting polling sites on college campuses and providing paid postage absentee ballots. While I am extremely proud of these gains to our state, I know that we can and should do more. Some of the most notable victories within the budget include:

• EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP): $800 million in state funds to support low and moderate-income households at risk of housing instability.
• HOME CARE WORKERS: Increase in home care worker wages, securing an increase of $3 per hour over two years. Although our home healthcare aides deserve more, this is a great start in securing a livable wage for these essential workers. 
• CLIMATE: $1.2 billion for the landmark Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, bringing the total investment to $4.2 billion. 
• ALCOHOL TO-GO: Restaurants and bars will be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages for take-out or delivery with the purchase of food. 
• CHILD CARE: An investment of $7 billion over 4 years in child care services. The Budget also increases the income eligibility threshold for child care subsidies to 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($83,250 for a family of four) and expands access to high quality child care by increasing the child care market rate to include 80 percent of providers.
• DISTRESSED HOSPITALS: $1.1 billion for hospitals still experiencing financial distress from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• GUN VIOLENCE: $227 million to fund bold initiatives that will strengthen the gun violence prevention efforts of law enforcement and community-based organizations. 
• SCHOOL AID: $31.5 billion in total School Aid for School Year 2023, the highest level of State aid ever. 
• GAS TAX HOLIDAY: Suspension of the state sales tax imposed on fuel from June through December 2022. 
• PUBLIC PROTECTION: $110 million to public protection agencies to support the following programs; gun violence prevention, legal aid services, pretrial services, alternatives to incarceration, and discovery reform.
• TAP-INCARCERATED: $5 million in TAP funding for incarcerated individuals.
• HOUSING: $250 million to eliminate COVID-era residential utility arrears and $125 million in homeowner and landlord assistance.

While this budget represents missed opportunities and prioritized interests, we have until the end of session to invest in our communities and live up to our values. I am committed to continuing to fight to provide New Yorkers with the long-term investments they deserve. 

For a detailed breakdown of what is included in the 2022-2023 New York State Budget, click here. If you have any questions regarding the budget and how it may impact you or your community, please reach out to our office. You can reach us at biaggi@nysenate.gov or by calling the office at 718-822-2049.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

MAYOR ADAMS LAUNCHES NEW MULTIAGENCY INITIATIVE TO BRING CITY SERVICES DIRECTLY TO UNDERSERVED NEW YORKERS

 

Mobile Unit Will Visit All Boroughs Providing Financial Empowerment, Benefits Enrollment, Small Business Support, Career Services, and More to New Yorkers 

 

Program Delivers on Key Plank of Mayor Adams’ Economic Blueprint, Aimed at Building Equitable Recovery for All 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the launch of a new initiative that will span across all city agencies to deliver municipal services directly to New Yorkers in underserved communities. Today, the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS), the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), and the New York City Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) will kick off the joint effort to deliver services — including financial empowerment resources, benefits screenings, tenant support, health insurance education, and more — through a mobile unit parked in front of Coffee Uplifts People (CUP), a local coffee shop owned by entrepreneur Angela Yee, host of ‘The Breakfast Club’ on iHeart Media's Power 105.1 FM. Yee opened CUP during the COVID-19 pandemic and partnered with SBS on the outreach event to spread the word about services and resources offered by the agency. 

 

Additionally, New Yorkers will also be able to learn about career opportunities with local employers like Citi Bike, First Quality Maintenance, Allied Universal, Time Warner Entertainment, and Levy Restaurants. Mobile unit visitors will also be able to get help with their resumes, interview skills, and career advisement.  

 

“In order to give New Yorkers the services they need, the city can’t just wait for them to come to us — we need to go to them and deliver services right into local communities,” said Mayor Adams. “With the launch of this mobile unit, we will be able to provide critical support through several city agencies to New Yorkers who need it most and continue building an equitable recovery.” 

 

The new unit delivers on a key plank of Mayor Adams’ “Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery” plan, which offers a roadmap to building an economic recovery for all New Yorkers. By bringing critical city services to New Yorkers who otherwise would not be able to access them, the administration aims to promote equitable and inclusive growth throughout the five boroughs. Over the next month, the mobile unit will be present in all five boroughs offering services and kicking off National Small Business Week. For more information on where the SBS Mobile Unit will be providing services, New Yorkers can follow @NYC_SBS on Twitter.   

 

“Supporting New Yorkers who face barriers to accessing needed city services starts with meeting them where they are,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “Our new mobile unit will help ensure communities throughout the five boroughs have easy access to tangible and meaningful support.” 

 

“We need an economic recovery that lifts up small businesses and working people in every corner of our city — and that's why SBS is laser-focused on bringing our services deep into the communities that need them most,” said SBS Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “We know that access to career services and training and support for small business owners can make all the difference in our city’s rebound, and we are proud to partner with business owners like Angela Yee and our colleagues in city government.”

 

“NYC Free Tax Prep and free one-on-one professional financial counseling at the NYC Financial Empowerment Centers are available across the city and virtually. but now, with the new mobile outreach unit, we look forward to working with our partners to bring these services to targeted communities,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “It’s by making city services like those offered through the unit readily available in new and dynamic ways — in communities where they are needed most — that our city can achieve equitable recovery.”

 

“PEU is excited to be scaling its proactive outreach under the new administration, with a focus on bringing critical benefits to New Yorkers,” said PEU Executive Director Adrienne Lever. “This inter-agency mobile unit project, in tandem with PEU’s door-to-door canvassing and targeted phone outreach, is working to fulfill the mayor’s commitment to improve access to resources by bringing the city to the communities we serve.”

 

“I have personally utilized the services offered by the SBS and have since been spreading the word for more people to take advantage of the support they offer for small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and people seeking employment,” said Angela Yee, founder, CUP.