Thursday, September 15, 2022

MAYOR ADAMS, NYCEM, MOIA OPEN RESOURCE NAVIGATION CENTER TO SUPPORT NEWLY ARRIVED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES SEEKING ASYLUM

 

Asylum Resource Navigation Center Will Provide Information, Range of Services to Asylum Seekers Arriving in New York City 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) Commissioner Zach Iscol, and New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Commissioner Manuel Castro today announced the opening of New York City’s first Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center. The center — operated by Catholic Charities of New York through a city contract — will support individuals and families who have arrived in New York City on or after January 1, 2022. The center will serve as a central place where newly arrived asylum seekers will receive free and confidential help accessing a variety of important services and resources that will help them integrate and thrive in New York City.   

“Our city continues to welcome the thousands of families who have arrived in New York City in the last few months, but, today, we are announcing a one-stop-shop for those seeking asylum to receive free and confidential help accessing the important services and resources that will help them integrate and thrive in New York City,” said Mayor Adams. “The city and the community-based organizations we’ve partnered with on the ground have been working around the clock to provide assistance to the more than 11,000 individuals who have entered the city in the last few months. The Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center will streamline city and non-profit services into a central place for families to access everything from health care to education to jobs to immigration legal services so that they can build a life in New York City.”  

“Whether it is legal assistance, medical care, school enrollment, or housing support, the Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center and the teams there will support people arriving in New York City,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Thank you to our government and nonprofit partners for all the work they have done and will continue to do to help all the children, families, and individuals seeking asylum.”                                                                                                                                                           

These asylum-seekers have been through a grueling journey. It is not only our responsibility as a city to help them adjust and regain their livelihoods, but it is an important investment in the future of New York City. The Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center plays a pivotal role in connecting them to the resources they need to build stable lives in our communities,” said NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol. “In New York City, we will continue to support asylum-seekers and ask that our fellow New Yorkers continue to welcome them with open arms just as we have done for generations of immigrants.”  

“Throughout New York City’s history we have welcomed immigrants who in return have made this the greatest city in the world. Today, we continue to honor this legacy by meeting asylum seekers who have gone through an arduous journey with open arms,” said New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Manuel Castro. “This Navigation Center is a key part of our asylum seeker response which looks to connect families and individuals to the resources they need to successfully integrate into our communities and pursue their American Dream.”  

“New York City continues its tradition as a welcoming portal for those fleeing danger in their own countries and seeking protection and opportunity in the United States,” said Monsignor Kevin Sullivan. “Catholic Charities is proud to once again be at the heart of a welcoming New York, now, serving thousands of those seeking asylum from Venezuela and other countries. We are committed to our newest neighbors, helping them to become contributors to the vibrancy and economy of New York City.”   

“The American Red Cross is pleased that our facility can serve as the Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center for people arriving in New York City,” said Mary Barneby, regional CEO, American Red Cross in Greater New York. “While the Red Cross is not offering services for asylum seekers at this time, we know the Red Cross symbol on the side of our building is a universally recognized sign of hope around the globe. We are grateful to the City of New York and to the many partners who will provide assistance via this center”  

The center — located in the American Red Cross of Greater New York headquarters — will open weekdays to provide individuals and families with in-person support, in Spanish and in other languages, as well as information on resources and services available. New York City government agencies and community-based organizations will be on-site to help with case management and connect families and individuals to critical services, including:  

  • Health care services directly and through referral, 
  • Health insurance enrollment,  
  • Mental health counseling,  
  • School enrollment, and 
  • Immigration legal services, among other services.  

Services will be available to visitors by appointment. Community-based organizations and city shelter caseworkers will schedule appointments for asylum seekers. The city will provide asylum seekers with information about the Resource Navigation Center as they arrive by bus, as well as in shelters and through community-based organizations. In the following weeks, the city will release information about citywide satellite sites where asylum seekers can access the similar or additional services throughout the five boroughs.   

Since this spring, the city has experienced a surge in people seeking asylum arriving from border states. Many have entered the city’s shelter system, while others have found housing through family members, friends, or sponsors. Additionally, community groups have helped reticket individuals to their final destinations outside of New York City. The city estimates that more than 11,600 asylum seekers have gone through the intake process in the last few months and more than 8,500 asylum seekers, mostly families with children, are currently in the city’s shelter system. 

Services at the Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center are free, completely confidential, and provided by trusted professional contractors and city agencies required by law to keep information confidential. To protect client confidentiality, members of the media will not be allowed to enter the facility. 


Wednesday, September 14, 2022

NYC Public Advocate WILLIAMS' STATEMENT ON THE FOURTEENTH DEATH IN CITY CUSTODY OF 2022

 

"Fourteen lives lost in city custody this year, thirty in less than two years. Whatever changes are being made, they are clearly not far or fast enough to save lives, they do not begin to approach a standard of decency, safety, or humanity. 


"Rikers has been a death sentence for dozens during this crisis. The environment there, including solitary confinement by any name, is dangerous for everyone on the island – most of whom are still awaiting even a fair trial. How much harm must continue before leadership puts our city’s stated values over this systemic violence, or concedes that the city can’t do so alone?"


Council Member Marjorie VelƔzquez - An Update From The Bruckner Boulevard Public Hearing

 

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Dear Neighbors,

Last Wednesday, the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises hosted a public hearing regarding the Bruckner Site Rezoning proposal. Over 75 individuals testified across all platforms, in addition to the Council receiving over 100 testimonies via email. Thank you all for participating in last week’s hearing and making your voice heard.

Enclosed in this email is an update on the status of the Bruckner Site Rezoning Proposal. For those who missed last week’s hearing, please click here to view the recording. In addition, I would like to make the following clarification regarding the New York City Land Use Process:

The New York City Council must allow all rezoning proposals to follow a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). This means that all proposals must be reviewed by the local community board, the Borough President, and the City Planning Commission. The Council then introduces the land use items at a Stated meeting and holds a hearing on the items, which is then followed by votes at the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, then the Committee on Land Use, and finally the full New York City Council body. This is the legal process for all land use proposals that are subject to ULURP, and we cannot deter from the democratic processes that allow for a stable and structured government.

Additionally, many have asked whether or not my stance has changed - it has not. I stand opposed to the project and will work towards ensuring my colleagues are aware of the repercussions this project would impose on our community. Many of you have also inquired about Council Member deference, a practice in which local City Council members effectively have the most influence on land use decisions in their respective districts. I have had conversations with my colleagues and expressed my many concerns about the proposed rezoning of Bruckner Boulevard. As you all know, I have an open-door policy, and I am here to answer any questions you have regarding this process.

If you have not submitted a testimony, please email landusetestimony@council.nyc.gov. If you have general questions, you can reach out to my office at District13@council.nyc.gov or call 718-931-1721.

Sincerely,


Council Member Marjorie VelƔzquez


NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Local Sales Tax Collections in August Increase by Nearly 13% Over Last Year

 

NYS Office of the Comptroller Banner

Local sales tax collections in New York state increased by 12.6% statewide in August compared to the same month in 2021, according to an analysis released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Statewide local collections totaled $1.7 billion, up nearly $192 million from the same time last year.

“Overall local sales tax collections were strong in August, even with many counties participating in the gas tax holiday,” DiNapoli said. “With consumer spending softening in recent months, local governments should maintain vigilance when it comes to their finances."

New York City’s collections totaled almost $751 million, an increase of 20.6% – or $128 million – over August of 2021. Most counties saw at least some year-over-year growth in August collections, with Sullivan County experiencing the largest increase at 15.7%, followed by Orange (12.9%) and Rockland (12.3%). Conversely, Schuyler County saw the steepest decline (-24.8%).

Monthly sales tax distributions made to counties and tax-imposing cities are based on estimates by the Department of Taxation and Finance. In the third month of each calendar year quarter, these distributions are adjusted upward or downward, so that the quarter as a whole reflects reported sales by vendors. The next quarterly numbers (for July-September) will be available in October, and should reflect the sales tax impact of the gas tax holiday on a county-by-county basis.  

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Monthly Local Sales Tax Collections by County and Region (for detailed monthly breakdown)


MAYOR ADAMS TAKES MAJOR STEPS TO REFOCUS DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS ON IMPROVED CUSTOMER SERVICE, NYC’S RECOVERY


90-Day Commission and New Customer Service Units Will Reorient Buildings Department to Work Better for New Yorkers and Help Move City Forward

 

New Effort Follows Initiatives from Commissioner Ulrich to Enhance Customer Service


New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Eric A. Ulrich today announced major steps to refocus the DOB on providing improved customer service and supporting the city’s economic recovery. Mayor Adams and Commissioner Ulrich kicked off the “Adams Commission” — a 90-day commission convening stakeholders from labor, industry, the nonprofit sector, and city government to produce a comprehensive blueprint recommending structural improvements at DOB.

 

Mayor Adams and Commissioner Ulrich kicked off the effort with immediate action, launching two new customer service units: the Small Business Support Team (SBST) and the Major Projects Development Unit (MPDU). These new units will accelerate project timelines by providing dedicated services to ensure applications avoid unnecessary pitfalls.

 

“Now is the time to change what it’s like to do business with the Department of Buildings and make this agency run more efficiently,” said Mayor Adams. “New Yorkers deserve an agency that prioritizes customer service and safety at the same time, all in service of moving our city forward. Our administration has been cutting red tape since day one, and we will keep going until we have a city that truly works for New Yorkers.”

 

“The 90-day commission and new service centers tailored to both large and small projects will bring much-needed customer perspective to all DOB processes without ever sacrificing our lifesaving safety standards,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “These changes will improve response times and remove unnecessarily complex regulatory hurdles to get shovels in the ground — and projects off the ground — efficiently and safely for all New Yorkers and visitors.”

 

“When Mayor Adams appointed me as commissioner, he told me to look under the hood of this agency and get to the bottom of what wasn’t working,” said DOB Commissioner Ulrich. “In the past several months, we have been hard at work implementing incremental repairs and tune-ups. With this new commission and these new customer service units, we are announcing the official start of a wholesale rebuild to the way we do business.”

 

“Adams Commission”

 

In the next 90 days, 64 industry groups, trade organizations, ownership associations, advocacy groups, and government agencies — with support from DOB experts — will meet and formulate recommendations to improve the DOB, culminating in a report to Mayor Adams and the City Council. Recommendations will focus on eliminating unnecessarily complicated practices, onerous regulatory hurdles, and inefficient workflows. The report will be public once complete.

 

With the report as a blueprint, the agency will begin implementing recommendations as appropriate in early 2023 through a combination of policy changes, operational modifications, and regulatory reforms. The administration will work with the City Council to make changes requiring legislation.

 

Small Business Support Team and Major Projects Development Unit

 

The two new development units at the DOB — the SBST and the MPDU — are fully staffed and now operational. They are helping to troubleshoot project issues, get small businesses up and running, and streamline the development process to help the city’s largest building construction projects break ground. These specialized groups will operate similarly to the existing Affordable Housing Unit, providing guidance and expertise to move projects thoroughly and efficiently through the development pipeline to propel the city’s recovery.

 

The SBST is dedicated to handling inquiries and project applications from New York City small businesses. Small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to open a new place of business — or renovate an existing one — can receive individualized guidance on any planned construction projects from dedicated SBST plan examiners and project advocates, who will focus on reviewing and approving projects for construction needed to open more small businesses. Dedicated SBST inspectors will also work directly with small businesses to reduce wait times for critical development-related inspections.

 

The agency has created new internal workflows in its existing online application portal to automatically funnel small business projects to the SBST. Small businesses can avail themselves of the benefits of this new program at the DOB without needing to file an application and at no additional cost.

 

The new MPDU is dedicated to assisting with proposed tower developments, significant new building and enlargement projects, and other complex projects deemed eligible by the DOB. The unit is now accepting applications for enrollment in this program via the public DOB NOW portal. This initiative will provide one-on-one consultation services for developers of these major projects throughout the development process — helping to improve safety and efficiency by increasing support and collaboration at all stages of the project, helping construction projects start safely, and avoiding costly work stoppages that can draw out construction timelines. This program is first-come, first-served with limited space.

 

Customer Service Initiatives

 

Since the start of the Adams administration, the DOB has launched multiple initiatives to enhance customer service operations, including:

  • Extending in-person customer service hours at borough offices,
  • Reinstating an option for in-person plan examination appointments for construction projects, and
  • Committing to significantly reducing overregulation of small businesses.

 

At the same time, the DOB has continued to expand its robust online transaction services via DOB NOW.

 

Most recently, the DOB launched “Buildings After Hours,” a weekly customer service event held every Tuesday night from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the five borough offices. This reoccurring open house enables homeowners, small business owners, tenants, buildings managers, and others the opportunity to meet with DOB experts to discuss buildings-related issues. Meetings with DOB staff are completely free, and no appointment is required to attend.

 

“We applaud Mayor Adams and Commissioner Ulrich for turning over every stone and examining every process to find ways to help our city recover and prosper,” said Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “DOB will be at the center of our work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our building stock and we will need government, industry and the private sector working together if we are to be successful in this existential effort.”

 

“This is yet another great step to remove administrative burdens and to make government work better for New Yorkers,” said New York City Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with DOB to better enforce our zoning rules and to create a more dynamic, efficient city.”

 

“We’re proud to serve as part of this commission and we look forward to helping the Department of Buildings reassess and reimagine what’s possible as they deliver critical services to New Yorkers,” said New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “Through collaboration and thought partnership there is an opportunity to lay a new foundation to build upon that will benefit countless New Yorkers for generations to come.”

 

“Coordination with oversight agencies such as DOB is an important part of our plan to improve the city’s capital construction process and the way we build firehouses, libraries and other public buildings,” said New York City Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley. “We’re happy to work with DOB and our sister agencies to make the process more efficient.”

 

“The economic revival and long-term success of our city depends on our ability to work together as a team and develop bold ideas that better serve all New Yorkers,” said New York City Department of Finance Commissioner Preston Niblack. “We look forward to joining our partners on this commission and assisting the Department of Buildings with laying the groundwork for more effective, efficient, and customer-friendly service in our city.”

 

“The Health Department looks forward to working alongside DOB and its sister agencies to help improve efficiency and coordination,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “We thank Mayor Adams for this initiative that will continue to promote the health and safety of New Yorkers.”

 

“HPD works hand-in-hand with DOB to ensure residential buildings are up to code and safe for New Yorkers to live in - both existing buildings and new affordable housing developments that we finance,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo CarriĆ³n Jr. “We share a commitment to putting people over process and improving customer service for New Yorkers and our partners. This commission will play an important role in improving city processes, and we look forward to working with all of the participants in the days to come.”

 

“We are proud to be a part of this first of its kind commission to bring positive improvements to the city’s Department of Buildings,” said New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “With a bevy of top-notch design, construction, and permitting professionals, we look forward to sharing our expertise in the building process to provide improvements to the system while pursuing our mission of stewarding the city’s green infrastructure.”

 

“Mayor Adams has set a paradigm shift in motion to ensure city government is a true partner to small businesses,” said New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “SBS is excited to work together with DOB and all our sister agencies to put small businesses at the forefront of our economic recovery. Together, we will ensure New York City says ‘Yes’ to greater opportunity, faster timelines, and more efficient processes for the small businesses at the heart of our economy.”

 

“DOT is excited to take part in this commission and work collaboratively with DOB to improve agency operations and coordination,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We thank Mayor Adams for launching this commission and promoting cross-agency strategy.”

 

“We are proud to partner with the Department of Buildings and our partners in industry to ensure businesses can thrive and grow in New York City,” said New York City Fire Department Acting Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “Working together, we know we can create a safe, streamlined, and customer-centric experience for all those doing business in our city.”

 

“This commission will offer a much-needed forum for understanding how to streamline our construction processes while also enabling the authority to provide input on the unique industry challenges created by our aging infrastructure,” said New York City Housing Authority Chair and CEO Greg Russ. “We are excited to lend our voices to this vital interagency initiative and look forward to seeing how the common-sense recommendations that come out of this program can be implemented across our portfolio and serve to improve the quality of life for our residents.”

 

“The School Construction Authority is excited to partner with DOB and other city agencies to further collaborate and improve construction protocols that deliver state-of-the-art facilities while keeping our workers safe,” said New York City School Construction Authority President and CEO Nina Kubota.

 

“The Port Authority looks forward to participating in a commission of experts drawn from the public and private sectors, who have been tasked with making recommendations to improve the New York City Department of Buildings and its customer service,” said Jim Starace, chief engineer, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

 

“With the recent growth of New York City’s housing market coupled with a heightened focus on affordable housing, I applaud the mayor’s decision to create a comprehensive blueprint to upgrade and improve the administrating of services offered through the Department of Buildings in a way that brings transparency, while also providing equity and access for all,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “The ‘Adams Commission’ will create the structural improvements needed as 70 industry groups and organizations convene over the next 90 days to review and provide recommendations in areas that include the permitting process, enforcement operations, emergency and complaint response, audits and professional certification programs, sustainability programs, and more. I want to thank Mayor Adams and Commissioner Ulrich for their foresight in seeing this as a necessary step to ensure the Department of Buildings is there to meet the new demands of our ever-evolving housing market.” 

 

“If New York is to successfully complete major infrastructure upgrades and reap the full benefits of the thousands of middle-class careers and economic stimulus they create, we’ll need to ensure these projects maintain the safety and regulatory standards that are in the best interest of onsite workers and surrounding communities,” said Gary LaBarbera, president, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “We thank Mayor Adams and Commissioner Ulrich for committing to these critical details through the creation of this commission, which will focus on the fundamental ways we can improve the Department of Buildings and how it functions. We look forward to working with our fellow committee members to provide solutions for making our construction sites and key development projects safer, more efficient, and as beneficial as possible to our city’s future.”

 

“We applaud Mayor Adams and Commissioner Ulrich’s efforts to improve the operations of the Department of Buildings with broad public input and mechanisms for greater partnerships between the department and those who engineer New York City’s buildings,” said John Evers, president and CEO, American Council of Engineering Companies of New York. “By soliciting recommendations from the engineering industry, Mayor Adams is showing he values the input of design professionals. We look forward to serving as active participants on the commission and to continuing the engineering community’s strong partnership with DOB to promote safety, sustainability, design excellence, and efficient processes in the building sector.”

 

“The Structural Engineer’s Association of New York appreciates the opportunity to continue our support for the Department of Buildings and the people of New York through Mayor Adams’ new initiative,” said Erik Madsen, P.E., president, Structural Engineer's Association of New York.

 

“We commend the Adams administration for recognizing the need for major reforms within the Department of Buildings," said Ben Prosky, executive director, American Institute of Architects New York. “An improved DOB will allow for buildings, especially much-needed housing, to be designed and built faster and safer.”

 

“It is great that Mayor Adams initiated a dialogue with the design community and builder partners,” said Arpad Baksa, FARA, president, New York Council, The Society of American Registered Architects. “I believe that this dialog will be mutually beneficial and beneficial for the city also.”

 

“Mayor Adams and the team at City Hall continue to take the input from the business community seriously,” said Lisa Sorin, president, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce. “The establishment of this Department of Buildings commission is another step forward in streamlining business processes, making government more efficient, and modifying antiquated methods with modern solutions to move New York City forward. The Bronx Chamber of Commerce is delighted to support this commission and the new business- and customer-focused departments created within the Department of Buildings.”

 

“BOMA New York has a long history of close collaboration with the New York City Department of Buildings,” said Lori Raphael, executive director, Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater New York (BOMA New York). “We welcome this opportunity to join the ‘Adams Commission’ alongside a wide array of stakeholders and work with Commissioner Ulrich to create efficiencies, as well as develop innovative policies and processes to further improve DOB customer service.”

 

“In the midst of a housing crisis, we need to be thinking of new ways to streamline longstanding processes to ensure that new construction, preservations, and inspections happen as efficiently as possible — and that is exactly what this new commission sets out to do,” said Jolie Milstein, president and CEO, New York State Association for Affordable Housing. “We commend the Adams administration and all of our partners at the Department of Buildings for convening a wide array of experts and groups. We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and finding ways to speed up the delivery of much-needed affordable housing to New Yorkers.”

 

“New York City is already a leader among American cities in the sustainability and decarbonization of its buildings,” said Ellen Honigstock RA, LEED AP, director of education, Urban Green. “Urban Green Council is proud to participate in the ‘Adams Commission’ to ensure a safer, healthier city for all New Yorkers.”

 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbors,



Thank you for joining us for another week in review.


We continue to lift the memory of those we lost on September 11th and pray for the families that lost loved ones on that day. My hope is that despite the pain of this tragedy, we continue to find hope and the courage to show up for one another as a City and Borough. Please join me tomorrow, Wednesday, September 14th, for Remembrance Day where we will honor our loved ones and first responders.


This week, we welcomed our children, teachers, principals and school staff back to school after a long, hot summer. The pandemic shed much needed light on the digital divide in our city. We learned the importance of tech access when having a laptop meant the difference between students attending their class or not. That is why we allocated $14.5 million from the FY’ 2023 Capital Budget for ChromeBooks, Laptop Carts, Smart Boards, Printers and more for over two dozen schools across the Bronx. Our students deserve a quality education and I am committed to closing the digital divide and equipping our children with all that they need to have a successful academic year.


A special shout out to our labor unions and labor workers who we celebrated this past Labor Day. We owe so much of our worker rights to our labor unions. Thank you for all you have done and for your commitment to our rights.


We are at a critical turning point in the Bronx. After enduring a global pandemic, we understand now more than ever the policy failures from the past that contributed to years of disinvestment in our borough and continue to have an adverse effect on the health and well-being of our communities. This is the time to be bold. We need creative solutions to address the issues impacting our residents and families and I believe my strategic policy plan does just that. It is a blueprint for how we move forward. To learn more about my strategic policy plan click here.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson



My budget addresses inequity head-on with the allocation of $14.5 million for Chrome Books, Laptop Carts, Smart Boards, Printers and more for over two dozen schools across the Bronx. 


I have also allocated over $3.3 million to our Bronx Cultural Organizations that will re-establish the Bronx as a destination for tourists, as well as for long-time residents who desire to learn, enjoy and appreciate what makes the Bronx unique.


Lastly, I am proud to say that I allocated more than $3.4 million in capital funding to seven residential projects, creating more than 600 new units of affordable, supportive housing and homeownership as well as rehabilitation of 126 units of housing in neighborhoods throughout the borough. 


Together we are shepherding the Bronx into a renaissance that will benefit our children and families for generations to come.






NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE RESPONDS TO THE CITY’S ‘RIGHT TO SHELTER’ VIOLATIONS

 

"New Yorkers have a right to shelter. It’s been a moral right throughout our city’s history, and a legal right for over four decades. 


"Just yesterday, my office advanced legislation to create a ‘Homeless Bill of Rights’ which would, among other things, codify and help to ensure existing rights are upheld, empowering homeless individuals to self-advocate if those rights are violated.


"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, including those who have just arrived here. 


"The city’s priority can’t be to retreat from that standard – it must affirm and enhance these rights, and alter our approach to the housing and homelessness crisis, an approach that has left us without sufficient deeply affordable housing to meet the need. We have the tools to house New Yorkers in need, but we need the political will."