Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATORS GUSTAVO RIVERA AND JAMES SKOUFIS ANNOUNCE PUBLIC HEARING TO EXAMINE CDPAP TRANSITION 

This week, State Senator Gustavo Rivera and State Senator James Skoufis announced that they will hold a Joint Senate Public Hearing to conduct an in-depth examination of the transition process of the popular Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, better known as CDPAP, to a single fiscal intermediary. 

This hearing will allow lawmakers to assess decisions made by the Hochul administration and the selected fiscal intermediary, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), during the ongoing transition. Further, it will provide an opportunity to hear from stakeholders including healthcare experts, consumer advocates, fiscal intermediaries, enrollees and their personal care assistants on the issues faced across New York State related to this transition. 

The public hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 9 starting 12PM at 250 Broadway, New York, New York. Both Chairs firmly believe that transparency and accountability should be essential components of our State’s healthcare delivery system. With this hearing, they hope that the voices of those impacted by this transition are heard and that we will identify solutions to mitigate adverse outcomes affecting thousands across New York State.

"Thousands of New Yorkers who need home care and who provide that care have seen their lives upended by the chaotic transition of the CDPA program from hundreds of contractors to a single fiscal intermediary. This public hearing will be an in-depth examination of a process marred by confusion and frustration and the steps taken by the administration and PPL to address it. I want to thank Senator Skoufis for partnering with me on this effort and I look forward to hearing from stakeholders to get the truth out so we can find solutions that will support those affected by this difficult transition,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee.

Watch the press conference here. Read the Senate public hearing notice here.

The 2025 legislative session has officially concluded. While it was a challenging year in many ways with a tumultuous budget process and a failed CDPAP transition process, Senator Rivera fought tirelessly to pass bills that would make a real difference in the lives of his constituents and New Yorkers. These include important wins for public health, consumer protection, community empowerment, and criminal justice reform.

Watch this reel summarizing the year and the Senator's Instagram carousel that highlights important bills that passed in the last week of the legislative session.

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for New York City and the Tri-State area starting this Sunday, June 22.

Know the Signs of Heat Illness

Heat stroke occurs when the body's temperature rises quickly, which can lead to death. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you or someone you know has the following symptoms:

• Hot, dry skin
• Confusion, hallucinations, and disorientation
• Loss of consciousness or being unresponsive
• Nausea or vomiting
• Trouble breathing
• Fast, strong pulse
• Weakness
• Dizziness

People suffering from heat exhaustion need to get to a cool place, remove extra clothes and drink lots of water. Symptoms to look for:

• Heavy sweating
• Cold, clammy skin
• Muscle cramps
• Lightheadedness or feeling faint
• Headache
• Decreased energy
• Loss of appetite or nausea

Understand Your Risk and Make A Plan

Talk with your doctor about your risk to extreme heat. Different conditions can raise your risk.  Air conditioning is the best way to stay safe during extreme heat. Don't have an air conditioner? The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can provide you with a free one. Applications are open until 06/23/2025.

If you do not have air conditioning, plan to visit a family, friend, or neighbor’s home or find a free public place such as a coffee shop, mall, or public atrium you can spend time in during the day that as air conditioning.

Find here your nearest cooling center by visiting Cooling center locations can also be found by calling 311 (VRS: 212-639-9675 or TTY: 212-504-4115).

New York State has announced the 2025 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Cooling Assistance Component benefit is closing on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 5:00pm. All applications submitted online via Access HRA, or postmarked and received on or before the deadline will be processed. Households are encouraged to submit an application prior to Monday's deadline. 

If you are eligible, you may receive one Cooling Assistance benefit per applicant household for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool. In circumstances where an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided.

Only one air conditioner or fan, not to exceed $800 with installation for a window, portable air conditioner, or fan and not to exceed $1,000 for an existing wall sleeve unit, will be provided per applicant household. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.

CIick here for more information.

This week, Senator Rivera visited the Morris Innovative Older Adult Center, Mosholu Montefiore Senior Center, Riverdale Senior Services (RSS), and R.A.I.N. Mt. Carmel Older Adult Center to not only greet seniors but to invite them to his annual Senior Health Fair and Luncheon.

The annual tradition will take place on Thursday, July 10 at Lehman College's Music Building! There will be entertainment, health screenings, raffle prizes, refreshments, and more!

IMPORTANT: RSVP is required. Call our office at 718-933-2034 starting Monday, June 23rd at 10 a.m. to make your reservation. You will receive a confirmation number once you RSVP.

Senator Rivera will be visiting more senior centers next week! We hope to see you all on July 10!

This week, Senator Rivera attended the last Bronx CB7 General Board meeting before the summer break and recognized two community board members that made a huge impact in our neighborhood.

First, Senator Rivera presented a proclamation to Yajaira Arias, the outgoing Bronx Community 7 Chairperson, for her almost decade-long service to her community. Senator Rivera also presented a commemorative picture of the 2025 Woman of Distinction for our district, Ms. Jean Hill, from the ceremony in Albany.

"It is my honor to once again recognize the incredible work and lifelong dedication of Ms. Jean Hill. Born in Harlem and a proud Bronx resident for over 40 years, Ms.Hill has turned her retirement into a full-time mission of advocacy, leadership, and service," said Senator Rivera.

Last Sunday, Senator Rivera had the honor to sponsor and attend this year's Norwood Pride at Williamsbridge Oval Park!

Thank you to all the neighbors who attended and to the Mosholu Preservation Corporation for putting together a terrific event with fun for all ages. Happy Pride!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: NEWSLETTER WILL BE SENT BI-WEEKLY!

The Summer Meals program in NYC provides free breakfast and lunch to anyone 18 years old and younger, and to people with disabilities participating in special education programs, regardless of age. The program begins Friday, June 27, and ends Friday, August 29, though locations and times may vary. No registration or identification is needed to participate. 

Find more information about locations here:

https://www.opt-osfns.org/schoolfoodny/meals/default.aspx

MAYOR ADAMS, BRP COMPANIES, AND HUDSON COMPANIES BREAK GROUND ON 420 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES IN MELROSE, FINAL PHASE OF LARGER “LA CENTRAL” PROJECT IN THE BRONX

Phase II of “La Central” Housing Development Will Create Two New Buildings, Hundreds of New Affordable Units 

Once Complete, Entire La Central Project Expected to Deliver Over 1,000 Affordable Homes, Community Facility Space, and Retail Space Over Coming Years

Project Made Possible by Joint Venture Between Adams Administration, Hudson Companies, BRP Companies, ELH-TKC, Breaking Ground, J.P. Morgan, and Comunilife

Announcement Part of Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes for Families” Plan, Builds on Adams Administration’s Record as Most Pro-Housing Administration in New York City History 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, BRP Companies, Hudson Companies, J.P. Morgan, and project partners today broke ground on Phase II of the “La Central” housing development to bring 420 new affordable homes to the Melrose neighborhood of the Bronx. Phase II will include a range of unit types from studios to four-bedroom apartments as well as 63 supportive housing units for formerly homeless New Yorkers. The new phase is expected to cost $343 million, with the Adams administration contributing over $137 million through the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Phase II will also include 13,000 square feet of community facility space, 1,500 square feet of retail space, and 7,000 square feet of new public gardens. This second phase marks the final stage of the La Central project, which will create a total of more than 1,000 mixed-income homes as well as a YMCA, a production studio, and extensive green space for Bronxites. Today’s announcement continues to build on Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes for Families” plan to create thousands of new homes across the city and create more family-friendly neighborhoods from Coney Island to Inwood. City of Yes for Families also builds on the Adams administration’s record as the most pro-housing administration in New York City history. In addition to creating record amounts of affordable housing two years in a row, passing the first citywide zoning reform in 60 years, and advancing five neighborhood plans to create jobs and new housing across the city, the new housing created through City of Yes for Families will help New York City reach Mayor Adams’ moonshot goal of creating 500,000 new homes by 2032. Throughout this week alone, the Adams administration is advancing nearly 2,000 new homes across the city to help families find an affordable place to live.

“Making New York City the best place to raise a family means building more affordable homes, and for the past three-and-a-half years, that’s exactly what we have done. We already passed our Bronx Metro North Plan to bring thousands of new homes and jobs to the borough, and with this groundbreaking, we are taking another major step forward in delivering for the Bronx, once again,” said Mayor Adams. “While this groundbreaking marks the final phase of La Central, it does not mark the end of our administration’s commitment to creating more homes in the Bronx and across New York City. We will continue that work every single day, in every borough.”

“The realization of the La Central development, a decade in the making, is proof of what happens when we invest in more than just buildings — and instead when we invest in people, believe in pushing boundaries, and expect more from what affordable housing can deliver for our communities,” said HPD Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “From the YMCA in Phase I to the community gardens and the telescope managed by Bronx High School of Science in Phase II, every element of this project reflects a promise we made: to meet the vision and values of a community that held our work to a higher standard. We are delivering deep affordability, sustainable design, and supportive housing for our neighbors who need it most. I want to sincerely thank and congratulate everyone who made Phase II a reality; because of your dedication, hundreds of New Yorkers will have a safe, stable place to call home. Some may discover a passion for science, others a love of nurturing their environment — and many will grow into the next generation of leaders, continuing the fight to bring more housing and hope to every corner of our city.”

“As we embark on bringing Phase II to fruition and move towards final completion of the La Central project, over 1,000 vitally needed affordable residences will have been created for the South Bronx as we strive to help fill the void in housing offerings across the city,” said Andy Cohen, managing director, BRP Companies. “This project further underscores our long-standing commitment to ensuring that equitable, sustainable, and community-focused housing opportunities are delivered and provide a lasting impact to residents and the surrounding neighborhood.”

“Today’s groundbreaking marks a major milestone in our long-standing commitment to bringing much-needed affordable and supportive housing to the South Bronx and New York City,” said Marlee Busching-Truscott, managing director of development, Hudson Companies. “La Central has been over a decade in the making and will ultimately deliver over 1,000 high-quality and sustainable homes through an inclusive, community-focused development. We’re deeply grateful to Mayor Adams, City Hall, and our co-developers for their partnership as we work together to tackle the city’s affordability crisis.”

“La Central exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in creating vibrant, connected communities,” said Sharmi Sobhan, head, J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking’s East Region. “J.P. Morgan’s deep-rooted presence in New York drives our commitment to housing affordability and community growth and we know this project will pave the way for a brighter future for hundreds of Bronx residents.”

The entire “La Central” project will include over 1,000 affordable homes, community space, and retail space for residents of the Bronx. Credit: FXCollaborative.

Upon completion in 2028, Phase II will offer a diverse mix of affordable apartments reserved for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the Area Median Income. It will include 114 units for extremely low-income households, 106 units for very low-income households, and 198 units for low-income households, as well as two units for the building’s supers. The development features modern amenities, sustainable building practices, and community-focused spaces designed to foster connection and well-being. Building E will include a telescope remotely controlled by Bronx High School of Science on the rooftop while a large central courtyard surrounded by the La Central apartment buildings will also be completed in this phase.

Funding for Phase II comes from a range of public and private financing sources, including tax-exempt bonds from the New York City Housing Development Corporation, subsidy from HPD, Reso A funding from New York City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Brownfield Tax Credits, and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority grants. Red Stone Equity Partners is the tax credit syndicator and J.P. Morgan is providing credit enhancement. 

The overall La Central development, comprised of five distinct buildings, delivers over 1,000 affordable housing apartments to the Bronx community. La Central Buildings A and B, which opened in 2021, are fully affordable, mixed-income, mixed-use developments with nearly 500 apartments. Building A is also home to a state-of-the-art YMCA. Building D, completed in 2019, provides 160 supportive and low-income apartments. La Central participates in the NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program and LEED for Homes. The two new buildings created through the final phase will be designated Building C and Building E.

Since entering office, Mayor Adams has made historic investments to create more affordable housing and ensure more New Yorkers have a place to call home. The Adams administration is advancing several robust neighborhood plans that, if adopted, would deliver more than 50,000 units over the next 15 years to New York neighborhoods. In addition to the Bronx-Metro North Station Area Plan and the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, both of which have been passed by the New York City Council, the Adams administration is advancing plans in Midtown South in Manhattan, as well as Jamaica and Long Island City in Queens.

Moreover, last December, Mayor Adams celebrated the passage of “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” the most pro-housing proposal in city history that will build 80,000 new homes over 15 years and invest $5 billion towards critical infrastructure updates and housing. Last June, City Hall and the City Council agreed to an on-time, balanced, and fiscally-responsible $112.4 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget that invested $2 billion in capital funds across FY25 and FY26 to HPD and the New York City Housing Authority’s capital budgets. In total, the Adams administration has committed $24.7 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a generational housing crisis. Mayor Adams celebrated back-to-back record breaking fiscal years, as well as back-to-back calendar years, in both creating and connecting New Yorkers to affordable housing. Last spring, the city celebrated the largest 100 percent affordable housing project in 40 years with the Willets Point transformation. 

Building on the success of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, Mayor Adams unveiled his City of Yes for Families strategy earlier this year to build more homes and create more family-friendly neighborhoods across New York City. Under City of Yes for Families, the Adams administration is advancing more housing on city-owned sites, creating new tools to support homeownership, and building more housing alongside schools, playgrounds, grocery stores, accessible transit stations, and libraries.

Further, the Adams administration is using every tool available to address the city’s housing crisis. Mayor Adams announced multiple new tools, including a $4 million state grant, to help New York City homeowners create accessory dwelling units that will not only help older adults afford to remain in the communities they call home but also help build generational wealth. In addition to creating more housing opportunities, the Adams administration is actively working to strengthen tenant protections and support homeowners. The Partners in Preservation program was expanded citywide in 2024 through a $24 million investment in local organizations to support tenant organizing and combat harassment in rent-regulated housing. The Homeowner Help Desk, a trusted one-stop shop for low-income homeowners to receive financial and legal counseling from local organizations, was also expanded citywide in 2024 with a $13 million funding commitment.

Finally, Mayor Adams and members of his administration successfully advocated for new tools in the 2024 New York state budget that will spur the creation of urgently needed housing. These tools include a new tax incentive for multifamily rental construction, a tax incentive program to encourage office conversions to create more affordable units, lifting the arbitrary “floor-to-area ratio” cap that held back affordable housing production in certain high-demand areas of the city, and the ability to create a pilot program to legalize and make safe basement apartments.

Governor Hochul Announces $10 Million to Expand Access to Food for All New Yorkers

Food Access Expansion Grant Program Supports Development and Expansion of Supermarkets, Food Co-ops, Farm Stands and More

Builds on Governor’s Commitment to Enhance Access to Food in Underserved Communities

Enhances Affordability for New York Families and Strengthens the Food Supply Chain While Providing a Boost to New York Farmers

Announcement Follows Governor’s Warning to New Yorkers About the Impact of Federal Cuts to SNAP Benefits can be Viewed Here

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $10 million through the State’s Food Access Expansion Grant Program to increase food access for New Yorkers living in areas with limited options for affordable, fresh food. The program provides funding to nine organizations across the state to support the development and expansion of supermarkets, food cooperatives, permanent farm stands, mobile markets, and other retail food stores in underserved regions while also increasing markets for New York farmers. This announcement follows Governor Hochul’s warning to New Yorkers regarding the impact of federal cuts to the SNAP program on New York’s agricultural industries and vulnerable families. Funding for the State’s Food Access Expansion Grant program was included in the 2024 Enacted Budget and builds on Governor Hochul’s goal to enhance affordability for New York families, boost demand for New York agricultural products, bolster New York's food supply chain, and ensure all New Yorkers have access to fresh, local foods.

“I am committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers, especially those in underserved areas, have access to affordable, healthy, local foods,” Governor Hochul said. “I know that the projects awarded through our Food Access Expansion Grant Program will make a significant impact in this space and ensure that our families can put fresh, New York made foods on the table, while supporting our agricultural community at the same time.”

Administered by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, funding through the Food Access Expansion Grant Program was available to eligible entities for projects aiming to increase the availability of food, whether through construction of a new retail store, the purchase of equipment to improve food and meals offered, the creation or expansion of mobile markets, and more. The program was developed following a Request for Interest (RFI), which gathered input from stakeholders to guide the Department on how best to shape the program.

Below is a list of awarded projects:

• The Adirondack North Country Association (North Country) - $468,576 to partner with The ADK Food Hub and Whitten Family Farm to increase the availability and distribution of food throughout the North Country. The project will construct a new processing kitchen and retail store in St. Lawrence County. This will help to expand a permanent farmstand, allowing for food processing and sale of processed products from other farms, including milk, yogurt, cheese, salads, frozen vegetables, baked foods, pickles, and jams. The Real Food Hub will result in a building that offers climate-controlled storage, a processing kitchen, loading dock, and retail storefront.
• Broome County Council of Churches Inc. (Southern Tier) - $1,553,688 to partner with members of their task force including the City of Binghamton, Broome County, Eden Food for Changes, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and others to renovate an existing building to include a new commercial kitchen, and to purchase and customize a new Mobile Market Bus. The new kitchen will be used to produce SNAP-eligible prepared meals for retail sale at the Greater Good Grocery and in the Mobile Market Bus.
• Buffalo Go Green Inc. (Western New York) - $809,932 to implement building renovations for a market, commercial kitchen, and juicery, including dry and cold storage and a loading dock to be used by their mobile market. The project will result in a commercial kitchen, juicery, food retail space, and 3,500 square feet of cold and dry storage on Buffalo’s Eastside to expand and support their mobile markets.
• The City of Schenectady (Capital Region) - $2,100,000 to partner with Electric City Community Grocery, Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority, and National Co+op Grocers to open a new grocery store and co-op in downtown Schenectady. The project will result in the renovation of an existing building into a cooperative food store. The City of Schenectady is providing a $1 million grant toward project costs.
• Foodlink Inc. (Finger Lakes) - $291,420 to expand its Curbside Market program in Monroe County through the construction of a commercial warehouse for loading and unloading Curbside Market vehicles with storage space for product. The project will additionally fund the purchase of a new Curbside Market vehicle.
• The Research Foundation for the State University of New York (Western New York) - $265,973 to expand critical infrastructure for the UB Veggie Van mobile market by purchasing and customizing a new market vehicle and expanding cold and dry storage infrastructure. The project will result in shared infrastructure that addresses food insecurity across the University of Buffalo and Buffalo State campuses.
• Riseboro Community Partnership Inc. (New York City) - $2,134,720 to partner with the Central Brooklyn Food Coop to lease 10,000 square feet of a new development project for grocery retail and food storage. Funds will be used for excavation costs and the retail fit-out of the co-op. Riseboro will partner with Brooklyn Packers to source food from New York farms.
• Syracuse Economic Development Corporation (Central New York) - $1,719,000 to partner with the City of Syracuse, Ellicott Development Company, Super Imperial Market, and Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now to renovate and reopen the Valley Plaza Grocery Store on the Southside of Syracuse that has been vacant since 2018. The project will result in 22,000 square feet of retail food space bringing fresh produce, meats, and prepared foods to the neighborhood and grocery delivery for seniors.
• Tri Corner Food Equity, Education & Distribution (Mid-Hudson) - $656,690 to purchase and renovate an existing building that includes walk-in refrigeration, refrigeration and freezer displays, and bakery display cases. The new Fair Food Grocery Store will result in 2,080 square feet of retail space, a commercial kitchen, and café space.

The Food Access Expansion Grant Program is one initiative in an array of programs implemented by New York State to build a more resilient food system. New York continues to support several groundbreaking programs that focus on improving access to locally grown foods including through its 2026 Budget, including the Nourish NY program, the 30 Percent NYS Initiative for school meals, and the Farm-to-School program. Additionally, this year’s Budget included the third round of funding as part of the Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program, which provides $50 million over five years to support regional cooking facilities that will facilitate the use of fresh New York State farm products in meal preparation for K-12 school children.

These investments build on the Governor’s commitment to boost demand for New York agricultural products, bolster New York's food supply chain, and ensure all New Yorkers can access fresh, local foods. This includes the Governor’s Executive Order 32 directing State agencies to increase the percentage of food sourced from New York farmers and producers to 30 percent of their total purchases within five years. The Governor has also committed $25 million toward the New York State Grown & Certified Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Development Grant Program to assist food producers, processors, distributors, and others using New York ingredients to bring innovative NYS Grown & Certified products to market.

New York State continues to prioritize increasing access to food for all New Yorkers through a number of programs and initiatives, including the enhanced FreshConnect Fresh2You initiative, the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs, the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grants Programs, and more. Governor Hochul recently announced $13.7 million in funding for 19 projects statewide through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant Program to provide capital and technical assistance to farmers and food businesses operating at the middle of the supply chain, helping to enhance coordination throughout the food system and improve access to markets for farmers. This investment will help connect the dots between our state’s food producers and retail operations.

According to a report from the Office of the State Comptroller, between 2019 and 2021, approximately 10 percent of New Yorkers, or approximately 800,000 households, experienced food insecurity and struggled with food affordability.

Governor Hochul sounded the alarm on how the Republican budget reconciliation bill will affect the Nation’s largest food assistance program, The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), undermining a program that millions of New Yorkers rely on to put food on the table every single day. Estimates indicate the reconciliation bill would shift exorbitant costs to states across the country, including New York, where an additional $2.1 billion would be imposed on State and local county governments that administer the program.

.

Seven Day Early Voting

 

Early Voting Check-Ins

Primary Election 2025

 

June 14, 2025 - Day 1

 

• Manhattan - 10,003
• Bronx - 2,698
• Brooklyn - 10,244
• Queens - 6,470
• Staten Island - 1,138

 

*Unofficial as of Close of Polls 30,553

---

June 15, 2025 - Day 2

 

• Manhattan - 21,565
• Bronx -5,170
• Brooklyn - 23,637
• Queens - 13,823
• Staten Island - 2,166

 

*As of Close of Polls – Unofficial and Cumulative 66,361

---

June 16, 2025 - Day 3

 

• Manhattan - 31,036
• Bronx - 7,551
• Brooklyn - 33,185
• Queens - 19,186
• Staten Island - 3,154

 

*As of Close of Polls – Unofficial and Cumulative 94,112

---

June 17, 2025 - Day 4

 

• Manhattan - 43,427
• Bronx - 10,497
• Brooklyn - 47,052
• Queens - 26,383
• Staten Island - 4,523

 

*As of Close of Polls – Unofficial and Cumulative 131,882

---

June 18, 2025 - Day 5

 

• Manhattan - 55,522
• Bronx - 13,443
• Brooklyn - 60,745
• Queens - 33,245
• Staten Island - 5,768

 

*As of Close of Polls – Unofficial and Cumulative 168,723

---

June 19, 2025 - Day 6

 

• Manhattan - 69,473
• Bronx - 16,418
• Brooklyn - 78,311
• Queens - 41,177
• Staten Island - 7,065

 

*As of Close of Polls – Unofficial and Cumulative 212,444

---

June 20, 2025 - Day 7

 

• Manhattan - 82,260
• Bronx - 19,558
• Brooklyn - 93,432
• Queens - 48,797
• Staten Island - 8,265

 

*As of Close of Polls – Unofficial and Cumulative 252,312