Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JANUARY 11, 2022

 

74,058 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours    

160 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

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

"The data we are seeing on new infections offers a glimmer of hope that New Yorkers' discipline in fighting the winter surge is paying off," Governor Hochul said. "We are getting through this, but we must stay vigilant and not take our hard-won progress for granted. We know what works - make sure you and your loved ones are vaccinated and boosted, wear a mask, and exercise caution in indoor public spaces so we can finally leave this pandemic in the past."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 261,620
• Total Positive - 48,686
• Percent Positive - 18.61%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 20.91%
• Patient Hospitalization - 12,540 (+518)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 1,642
• Patients in ICU - 1597 (+45)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 831 (+39)
• Total Discharges - 245,667 (+1,020)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 160
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 49,785
  
  
  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. 

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 62,458
  
  
  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 - 34,514,106
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 74,058
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 644,206
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 89.8% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 81.0% 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 83.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 78.8%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 70.4% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 85.5% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.6%

Assemblymember Nathalia Fernandez - Free PCR Testing at District Office!

 

Greetings,

Our office is happy to announce that we will be hosting Free PCR Testing, in partnership with SOMOS Health, January 10th - January 14th between 9:00am - 2:00pm at The District Office, 2018 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, New York, 10461.

No Appointment Needed! - Walk-Ins Are Welcome & No Insuarnce is required! Please Provide Photo ID.

We encourage you to invite your families, friends, and neighbors as we continue to practice COVID-19 Safety Guidelines and do our parts to keep the community safe through this pandemic. 

Best Regards,

New York State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - News from BP Gibson: COVID-19 Resources

 

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Information and Resource

Get a free COVID-19 vaccine or test in MTA stations throughout New York State.   Visit one of our pop-up sites to get a COVID-19 vaccine, booster, or test.   Just drop in, no appointment needed.   Here’s the schedule and what to expect:   COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters:   Times Sq-42 St, passageway When: Monday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Grand Central Terminal When: Monday-Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   COVID-19 PCR testing   Times Sq-42 St When: Monday-Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Grand Central Terminal When: Monday-Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   Penn Station, West End Concourse When: Monday-Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   E 180 St When: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Jackson Hts-Roosevelt Av When: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Jamaica-179 St When: Monday-Friday 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.   Starting Tuesday, January 11:   Bedford Park Blvd When: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   125th St When: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Starting Wednesday, January 12:   Coney Island-Stillwell Av When: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m . Queens Plaza When: Monday-Friday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   What to expect:   1. Stop by the station You don’t need to make an appointment. Visit any of our pop-up sites at the times and locations listed above.    2. Check in You’ll check in with the team on site and show your ID (this may include a government-issued ID, like an IDNYC, driver's license, passport, Permanent resident card, Certificate of Naturalization). If you have any questions or concerns, our partners will be there to help answer them. You can read more about the vaccine here. Team members will be there to help translate or connect you with translation services.    3. Get your vaccine or test  You’ll meet with the nurse or doctor who can answer any other questions you have. Then, you'll get your shot or test.    4. If you've been vaccinated, wait 15 minutes To make sure you’re ok, you’ll be asked by the medical team to wait 15 minutes.    5. Pick up your CDC vaccination card and go.

Governor Hochul Announces $230 Million in Additional Food Assistance for New Yorkers in January

 

All SNAP Households to Receive the Maximum Level of Food Benefits 

More than 2.77 Million New Yorkers Rely on the Supplement to Make Ends Meet 

Traducción al español

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for January. All households participating in SNAP —including those already at the maximum level of benefits —will receive a supplemental allotment later this month, bringing in roughly $230 million in federal funding into the state's economy.

"As we continue to endure the difficulties of the pandemic, too many New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet,” Governor Hochul said. "These additional food benefits will play a critical role in eliminating food insecurity throughout the state. As the cold weather puts pressure on family budgets, these additional SNAP funds will provide much-needed relief.”

The emergency assistance supplement is provided to households that do not ordinarily receive the maximum allowable benefit per month on SNAP – a federally funded program overseen by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Those households already near or at the maximum benefit level --$835 for a household of four –will receive a supplemental payment of at least $95.

SNAP households in all counties outside of New York City should see these benefits posted between Wednesday, Jan. 12, and the end of the day Friday, Jan. 21. Those SNAP households in the five-county New York City region should see their benefits post between Saturday, Jan. 15, and the end of the month.

Struggling New Yorkers continue to rely heavily on SNAP as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact everyday life. In the first months after the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, New York saw a substantial increase in SNAP enrollment. 

The initial spike has remained sustained, and recipient counts remain about where they were at the end of the initial surge, which is substantially higher than pre-pandemic levels. As of November 2021, there were nearly 1.6 million households totaling 2.77 million New Yorkers that were receiving SNAP benefits.

OTDA Acting Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, “The tremendous impact these food benefits have had for New York households cannot be overstated. The additional benefits SNAP households have received since the onset of the pandemic have helped millions of New Yorkers to avoid food insecurity and make ends meet during the ongoing public health emergency.”  

As with the prior months, the payments will be delivered directly to recipients' existing Electronic Benefit Transfer accounts and can be accessed with their existing EBT cards. Like regular SNAP benefits, the supplemental benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Any unused SNAP benefits will automatically carry over to the following month.   

SNAP benefits also play an important role in New York’s economic recovery, with every federal dollar invested generating up to $1.54 in economic activity, according to a federal study quantifying the impact of SNAP on the U.S. economy. The study also found that an additional $1 billion invested in new SNAP benefits could support roughly 13,560 jobs nationwide.  

Find more information on the emergency supplemental SNAP benefits, including answers to frequently asked questions, here. New Yorkers can check their eligibility for SNAP and apply online by visiting mybenefits.ny.gov. 

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES INGRID LEWIS-MARTIN AS CHIEF ADVISOR TO THE MAYOR

 

 Mayor Eric Adams announced Chaplain Ingrid Lewis-Martin as chief advisor to the mayor, a role which will have her working in partnership with the first deputy mayor, chief of staff, and all direct reports to the mayor to support operations at City Hall and advance the administration’s strategic policies and priorities. Chaplain Lewis-Martin most recently served as deputy Brooklyn borough president.

“We are building a team that knows how to ‘Get Stuff Done,’ and my chief advisor has a proven track record of getting stuff done for New Yorkers left behind by government for far too long,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “This is a 24/7/365 administration, working around the clock to make this city a safer and greater place to raise healthy children and families, and leading a robust and equitable revival that lifts up every one of us.”

 

A proud daughter of Barbadian and Panamanian heritage, Chaplain Lewis-Martin was born and raised in Brooklyn. Prior to her role as deputy Brooklyn borough president, she served for more than five years as then-State Senator Adams’ senior advisor and for seven years as his chief of staff.

 

“It is an honor to serve this city and continue working in partnership with Mayor Adams, who has been a great champion for New Yorkers,” said Chief Advisor to the Mayor Chaplain Ingrid Lewis-Martin. “We will get stuff done in a truly historic way, reaching out to every corner of our communities and delivering common-sense leadership that will unlock government’s full potential.”

 

Chaplain Lewis-Martin’s political career started in 1983, first volunteering on the re-election campaign for the late Representative Major R. Owens and later serving as deputy campaign manager. After receiving her license from the New York City Board of Education, Chaplain Lewis-Martin was hired as a middle school teacher in English and social studies at I.S. 320 Jackie Robinson, her alma mater. She taught at the school from 1984 to 1992, also serving as dean of students, graduation coordinator, as well as a teacher of modern and African dance in the after-school programs. Chaplain Lewis-Martin was later hired by Medgar Evers College first to work as an instructor in one of its programs geared at assisting women on welfare earn their high school diploma and college degree, and subsequently to be director of their Progressive Adolescent Vocational Exploration (PAVE) program, which allowed high school students to earn a maximum of 12 college credits within four years. She has also served as a part-time staffer for former Assembly Member Roger Green.

 

CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General James Issues Alert to Protect New York Homeowners From Deceptive Practices

 New York Attorney General Letitia James issued alerts in multiple languages, warning New Yorkers to be wary of scams and other deceptive practices related to the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). The HAF is a federally funded program designed to assist homeowners who are experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. New York state has since received nearly $540 million in HAF funding that is available to eligible New York homeowners.

“As New Yorkers continue to recover from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing anyone needs is additional financial burden,” said Attorney General James. “The Homeowner Assistance Fund is a critical program that provides a vital lifeline to individuals and helps remedy some of the hardship caused by this pandemic. It is unfortunate, however, that there are bad actors out there looking to potentially exploit the integrity of this crucial program just to line their own pockets. But make no mistake: My office is committed to protecting the safety and financial welfare of all New Yorkers, and anyone who seeks to cheat our communities out of their money or their homes will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I strongly urge everyone to remain vigilant and to report these deceptive practices to my office immediately.”

In her continued efforts to protect New Yorkers and their homes, Attorney General James reminds New Yorkers of the following information:

• Applying for HAF is free, and homeowners are able to apply for HAF on their own with minimum documents needed: Homeowners should be cautious of anyone charging a fee to apply for HAF or promising HAF funds. No individual or entity can guarantee you HAF funds. For information on how to apply for HAF, please visit New York state’s Division of Housing and Community Renewal’s (HCR) website. For free assistance with a HAF application, please visit New York state’s HomeOwner Protection Program (HOPP) website or call 855-466-3456.
• It is illegal to request upfront fees for mortgage assistance: Even attorneys cannot request an upfront fee for mortgage assistance unless it is for “retainer” services and the attorney has filed a notice of appearance on your behalf in an active court case.

Additionally, Attorney General James recommends the following tips to help homeowners avoid mortgage rescue and HAF-related scams:

• Be cautious of any online ads, telephone solicitations, or people coming to your door that promise you HAF funds or a mortgage modification, especially if they are not from a trusted government agency: Only HCR can approve you for HAF and only your bank or mortgage servicer can approve a loan modification.
• Be careful of solicitations from people or companies with out-of-state phone numbers or addresses, especially for attorneys: Only lawyers admitted to practice in New York can represent you in court.
• Do not give your personal financial information to an unrecognized caller, someone knocking on your door, or in response to an unexpected piece of mail: This includes your bank account number, Social Security number, or the name of your loan servicer. Your bank already has all of this information and will not ask you for it.
• Never pay an upfront fee for mortgage-related services: It is a violation of New York law to charge upfront fees for such services and violations should be reported to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

Any New Yorker who is aware of or believes that they have been a victim of a scam are encouraged to file a complaint with the OAG online or call 1-800-771-7755.

 

Permits Filed For 261 Bedford Park Boulevard In Jerome Park, The Bronx

 

261 Bedford Park Boulevard in Jerome Park, The Bronx. 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 261 Bedford Park Boulevard in Jerome Park, The Bronx. Located at the intersection of Briggs Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard, the corner lot is near the Bedford Park Boulevard subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Geri Z Development LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 37-foot-tall development will yield 15,679 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 29 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 540 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and a 30-foot-long rear yard.

Node Architecture Engineering Consulting is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in June 2021 for a three-story building on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced. 

Phipps Houses Receives $188M Financial Package To Continue Construction At Lambert Houses In The Bronx

Rendering of 2080 Boston Road at Lambert Houses - Courtesy of Dattner Architects

Phipps Houses has successfully closed on a $188 million financial package to complete the second phase of renovations at Lambert Houses. Located in the West Farms section of The Bronx, the affordable housing complex spans 12 acres of land near the Bronx Zoo.

The scope of renovations includes a complete overhaul of the 1970s complex and will create hundreds of new apartments. The property will eventually comprise 1,665 permanently affordable homes and 61,000 square feet of retail and community space. The final count of apartments will be more than double the original number of residential units.

Of the complex’s eventual 1,665 apartments, 728 will serve households that qualify for Section 8, including the current tenants of Lambert Houses.

“The redevelopment of the Lambert Houses complex is a once in a lifetime opportunity to correct the flaws of the Urban Renewal Era and create better community connections and services for our residents,” said Adam Weinstein, president and CEO of Phipps Houses. “We hope this project will be a model for other large-scale housing providers to see that when you have available land, you can transform a development to a higher aspiration: to produce even more affordable housing and to better serve the residents of the complex.”

The original Lambert Houses were exhibiting pervasive signs of age and deterioration throughout the complex. This included outdated structural and mechanical systems, poorly designed open space, and security issues created by a maze-like series of buildings, many interconnected by narrow hallways, with 14 separate addresses.

Led by Dattner Architects, the new Lambert Houses are designed to re-integrate the buildings with the streetscape and neighborhood.

Phase two specifically includes the construction of a new 16-story building at 2080 Boston Road. The building will house 279 affordable units available for existing Lambert tenants. A total of 42 apartments will be reserved for formerly homeless households. Available units will range from one- to four-bedroom layouts.

Residents will also have access to a new landscaped courtyard with play areas for children, bike storage, a fitness center, laundry rooms, and on-site parking. The new building will also feature modern security systems for tenant safety, energy efficient lighting and appliances, and low carbon emissive mechanical systems in line with the city’s goal of curbing the carbon footprint of multifamily residential buildings.

“The redevelopment of Lambert Houses exemplifies the city’s commitment to both create and preserve quality affordable housing,” said HPD commissioner Louise Carroll. “Existing residents have the peace of mind that they can remain in an affordable home that is now safer, upgraded, and more energy efficient, while hundreds of additional opportunities open up for New Yorkers looking for an affordable home.”

Construction financing was provided by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the New York City Housing Development Corporation’s ELLA Program, along with Citi and the Urban Investment Group within Goldman Sachs Asset.

The first phase of renovations was completed in August 2019.

“The Lambert Houses project is a great example of how the public and private sectors can collaborate with communities to drive transformational impact in their neighborhoods,” said Michael Lohr, managing director at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. “We are proud to partner with Phipps, HPD, and HPC to increase the quantity and quality of affordable housing in the city and usher in a new era for the Lambert Houses and the West Farms neighborhood.”

Construction for phase two is expected to begin in January with an expected completion in mid-2024. Phipps Houses has relocated all residents of the now-demolished buildings at 2080 Boston Road in anticipation of the construction of the new building.