All 70 NYCHA Employees Charged In February 2024 Sweep Convicted Of Bribery, Fraud, Or Extortion Offenses

 

Less Than 22 Months After the Arrests—Which Were the Largest Number of Federal Bribery Charges on a Single Day in Department of Justice History—All 70 Charged Defendants Have Pled Guilty or Were Convicted at Trial for Accepting Cash Payments

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), Jocelyn E. Strauber, Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (“HUD-OIG”), Brian D. Harrison, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (“DOL-OIG”), Jonathan Mellone, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), Harry T. Chavis, announced that all 70 employees of the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) who were arrested and charged in February 2024 have now been convicted of bribery, fraud, or extortion offenses.  

Of the 70 defendants charged in February 2024 with accepting bribes in exchange for awarding NYCHA repair contracts, three defendants were convicted after jury trials, 56 defendants pled guilty to felony offenses, and 11 defendants pled guilty to misdemeanor offenses.  Sentencings are ongoing, but sentences imposed to date range up to 48 months in prison.  The defendants were collectively responsible for accepting over $2.1 million in bribes in exchange for awarding NYCHA contracts worth over $15 million.  As a result of the convictions, the defendants will collectively pay over $2.1 million in restitution to NYCHA and will forfeit over $2 million in criminal proceeds.    

“Today’s plea of the 70th and final NYCHA pay-for-play contracting scheme defendant marks an important milestone in one of the largest single-day corruption cases in the history of the Justice Department,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “All 70 charged defendants have now been convicted for attempting to criminally leverage the contracting process of work for affordable housing for New Yorkers to line their own pockets.  NYCHA residents deserve better.  New Yorkers deserve better.  This broad and swift action demonstrates our Office’s commitment to combatting corruption in our nation’s largest public housing authority—home to 1 in every 17 New York City residents.” 

“Today, the last of the 70 NYCHA employees charged with bribery and extortion in connection with the awarding of micro-purchase contracts pled guilty, closing the chapter on an investigation in which DOI and our federal partners exposed widespread corruption that touched almost one-third of NYCHA’s 365 developments in each of the five boroughs,” said DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber.  “All the defendants, many of them supervisors, now have taken responsibility for separate schemes that, in total, involved more than $15 million in no-bid contracts, awarded in exchange for the payment of more than $2.1 million in bribes to employees who chose to serve themselves instead of the residents of NYCHA, driving up costs of maintenance and improvements in a public housing system dependent on scarce resources.  To date, approximately $2 million in restitution to NYCHA and nearly $2 million in forfeiture has been ordered.  Equally important, DOI’s 14 recommendations to improve controls with respect to NYCHA’s micro-purchase contracting have been implemented – three of which were similar to DOI’s 2021 recommendations that were rejected by NYCHA.  I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and our federal law enforcement partners for their commitment to thwart corruption that drains public housing resources, and NYCHA for the implementation of much-needed contracting reforms.”

“Today’s final guilty plea is an important milestone in bringing to an end the egregious pay-to-play bribery scheme that wasted millions of dollars that should have benefited HUD tenants in New York and raised serious questions about the integrity of NYCHA operations,” said HUD-OIG Acting Inspector General Brian D. Harrison.  “All 70 of the NYCHA employees who failed to uphold the basic duty of not stealing from public housing have now admitted guilt or been found guilty at trial within two years of indictment, a testament to the investigative excellence of HUD OIG and its law enforcement partners.  We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its support and prosecutions in this case and know that this sends a clear signal to corrupt public officials that they will be held accountable.”

“Nearly two years ago, HSI New York and our law enforcement partners announced a sweeping investigation that uncovered a brazen corruption and extortion scheme that marked the largest number of federal bribery charges in a single day in history,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel.  “Today’s guilty plea is the latest step in exposing a scheme that exploited NYCHA’s operations, shortchanged its communities, and siphoned trust and resources from NYCHA residents—New Yorkers who deserve better.  Working in lockstep with our federal, state, and local law enforcement counterparts, HSI will keep pressing forward to protect New Yorkers and ensure that anyone who attempts to jeopardize their well-being faces decisive consequences.”

“An important part of the mission of DOL-OIG is to investigate fraud and other federal crimes involving matters within the jurisdiction of the Office of Inspector General,” said DOL-OIG Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone.  “The seventy convictions obtained in this investigation send a clear message that public corruption will not be tolerated.  We are committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who exploit governmental programs and the American workers.”

“IRS-CI will continually use its unique expertise in tax and finance to find leverage in assisting with complex investigations,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis.  “We are proud to build on our law enforcement partnerships to continue to bring criminals to justice.”

According to information contained in court filings and public court proceedings, including as proven at trial:

NYCHA is the largest public housing authority in the country, providing housing to 1 in 17 New Yorkers in 335 developments across the City and receiving over $1.5 billion in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development every year.  When repairs or construction work require the use of outside contractors, services must typically be purchased via a bidding process.  However, at all times relevant to the cases referenced above, when the value of a contract was under a certain threshold (up to $10,000), designated staff at NYCHA developments could hire a contractor of their choosing without soliciting multiple bids.  This “no-bid” process was faster than the general NYCHA procurement process, and selection of the contractor required approval of only the designated staff at the development where the work was to be performed.

The defendants, all of whom were NYCHA employees during the time of the relevant conduct, demanded and received cash in exchange for NYCHA contracts by either requiring contractors to pay up front in order to be awarded the contracts or requiring payment after the contractor finished the work and needed a NYCHA employee to sign off on the completed job so the contractor could receive payment from NYCHA.  The defendants typically demanded approximately 10% to 20% of the contract value—between $500 and $2,000 depending on the size of the contract—but some defendants demanded even higher amounts.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of DOI, HUD-OIG, HSI, DOL-OIG, and IRS-CI, which work together collaboratively as part of the HSI Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, as well as the special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.  Mr. Clayton also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support of NYCHA’s senior executive leadership.

These cases are handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry J. Fang, Jacob R. Fiddelman, Meredith Foster, Catherine Ghosh, and Justin Horton are in charge of the prosecutions, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Deininger, Jane Kim, Matthew J. King, and Amanda C. Weingarten also handled individual cases.

Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration to Protect Billions of Dollars to Fight Homelessness

 

AG James Leads Coalition in Filing Lawsuit to Protect More Than $3 Billion in Grants to Provide Housing and Other Support Services

Over 170,000 People at Risk of Homelessness as a Result of New Policy

New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of 18 other attorneys general and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in suing the Trump administration to protect billions of dollars in grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provide housing and other critical services to help fight homelessness. The administration has recently introduced new restrictions that would slash funding for crucial initiatives that are part of HUD’s Continuum of Care (CoC) program. This program delivers funding to local and regional coalitions that provide housing and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those most vulnerable to homelessness such as veterans and those with disabilities. Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the administration’s actions threaten billions of dollars, illegally target those providing services to the LGBTQ community, and would unlawfully punish communities that do not share the administration’s policy priorities. Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a court order blocking the administration’s cuts and illegal new conditions on CoC funds.

“Communities across the country depend on Continuum of Care funds to provide housing and other resources to our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Attorney General James. “These funds help keep tens of thousands of people from sleeping on the streets every night. I will not allow this administration to cut off these funds and put vital housing and support services at risk.” 

In 1987, Congress created CoC to provide states, local governments, nonprofits, and other groups with resources to deliver housing and support services for people experiencing homelessness, with a focus on veterans, families, and people with disabilities. For decades, CoC prioritized the “housing first” approach to fighting homelessness, providing immediate shelter to those in need without forcing them to meet burdensome requirements that can leave many without a safe place to sleep.

Permanent supportive housing has been highly effective at increasing housing stability and lowering costs associated with supporting people experiencing homelessness. Since its origin during the Reagan administration, the model has had bipartisan support across presidential administrations and Congress, and was HUD’s preferred method for addressing homelessness until the Trump administration’s change in policy. In addition to housing, CoC funds also provide support services such as childcare, job training, mental health and trauma counseling, and transportation services to assist people getting to and from work.

In November, the Trump administration imposed new and illegal conditions on CoC grants that threaten to upend the services the program supports. The administration imposed a cap on the amount of CoC funds that can support permanent housing for those in need, effectively ending the successful housing first model. Previously, up to 90 percent of CoC funds supported permanent housing, but under the new cap, no more than 30 percent can. If enacted, this cap could put an estimated 170,000 people at risk of losing their housing.

In addition, the administration barred CoC funds from organizations that acknowledge the existence of transgender or nonbinary individuals. As Attorney General James and the coalition argue in their lawsuit, the vagueness of this restriction could mean any organization that has provided shelter to transgender or nonbinary individuals, or even asked a participant’s gender identity, could be excluded from receiving CoC funds. The administration also imposed new conditions to withhold funds from regions that do not conform their local homelessness laws to the administration’s priorities – something nonprofits and other service providers cannot control.

In New York, 24 different regional CoC coalitions receive over $320 million to provide housing and other services throughout the state. 94 percent of these funds are dedicated to permanent housing, supporting 13,861 households statewide. The administration’s new cap on permanent housing spending would be devastating for New Yorkers, jeopardizing housing for over 9,000 households, including nearly 5,000 in New York City. Because many CoC program participants are tenants with leases, this loss of funding would eliminate rental assistance for thousands of vulnerable tenants, including many with mental health challenges. As a result, communities across the state could see thousands of evictions that would threaten to overwhelm shelters right as temperatures drop to dangerous levels.

The new CoC conditions also exclude programs that provide services for mental disabilities and prioritize those that only serve people with physical disabilities. As a result, services that help those struggling with mental health issues such as substance use disorder would lose critical funding. In New York, providers would face an impossible choice of needing to violate New York Human Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, by denying services to those with mental disabilities in order to receive CoC funds. 

Attorney General James and the coalition argue in their lawsuit that the administration’s new conditions on CoC funding are unlawful and unconstitutional. The administration cannot impose its own conditions on funds that Congress mandated should be distributed based solely on need. As a result, these new conditions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and Congress’ constitutional power to control spending. Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a court order ruling the new funding conditions illegal and preventing them from being enforced.

“We know that taking a housing first approach is an effective way to address homelessness,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “The Adams administration has delivered back-to-back supportive housing records for formerly homeless New Yorkers with over 2,700 supportive housing units being produced in 2024 alone. Much of this housing is managed by the very providers who have relied on federal Continuum of Care funding for decades and who do incredible work in our communities every day. We must all work together to ensure that we tackle the problem of homelessness head-on and invest in solutions that work and uplift working people. New York City is proud to be part of this coalition to fight for every last dollar New Yorkers deserve.”

“We are deeply grateful to Attorney General James for leading this important legal challenge to HUD’s newly imposed restrictions and funding cuts to Continuum of Care permanent housing,” said Pascale Leone, Executive Director of Supportive Housing Network of NY. “Her swift action offers a lifeline to thousands of New Yorkers whose homes were put at risk by the recent HUD FY2025 CoC Notice of Funding Opportunity. Nearly 14,000 affordable and supportive homes statewide rely on this funding; without it, the stability that so many have fought to build could unravel overnight. Supportive housing has enabled thousands of people to rebuild their lives with dignity, safety, and hope. A $326 million loss to CoC permanent housing programs would jeopardize that progress and threaten the very homes that make recovery possible. As families prepare for the holiday season, they should not have to question whether they will still have a place to live when winter arrives. This legal challenge is a crucial step toward safeguarding their homes and their futures.”

“The Trump administration’s proposed changes to HUD’s Continuum of Care funding threaten the health and stability of thousands of New Yorkers,” said Acting Commissioner of New York City's Department of Housing Preservation and Development Ahmed Tigani. “Permanent housing paired with supportive services has repeatedly proven to reduce homelessness, strengthen stability, and improve long-term outcomes. New York City is standing with New York State Attorney General Tish James and partners nationwide to oppose these harmful changes and to protect the tools we need to ensure every New Yorker has a safe, affordable place to call home.” 

“We commend Attorney General James for taking urgent action to challenge these unprecedented federal restrictions which threaten to gut funding for thousands of permanent homes that provide lifesaving supports for formerly homeless New Yorkers,” said New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “DSS is proud to join this coalition to fight for housing solutions that have been effective in combating homelessness and center the dignity, humanity, and struggle of marginalized and low-income communities that have been consistently failed by society at large. To willfully ignore the devastating impact of the affordability crisis and historic inequities by abruptly pulling the rug out from under vulnerable Americans is unconscionable, and we will use every tool at our disposal to protect the foundations of our city’s safety net.” 

“Housing is a cornerstone of health and a critical component of the New York City Health Department's focus on mental health and overdose prevention. In a city where affordable housing options are scarce, permanent supportive housing keeps New Yorkers housed and improves their health and well-being. Simply put, it works,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “The actions taken by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development changing grant requirements for longstanding programs undermines our goal of getting people off the streets and into housing. Reducing access to permanent supportive housing will increase homelessness and create a devastating ripple effect, leaving people who benefit from permanent supportive housing without a viable housing option. We will continue to monitor the situation and work with our sister agency partners to explore next steps. Together, we must keep people connected to resources that foster health, independence, and support their paths to recovery.”

Joining Attorney General James in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

RIKERS ISLAND INMATE SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR STABBING FELLOW INMATES

 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Rikers Island inmate has been sentenced to five years in prison for Attempted Murder and for Assault in two separate slashing attacks on inmates. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant attacked the victims over petty, gang-related disputes, leaving them seriously injured. We continue to prosecute violence in our jails, even when the victims do not want to go forward. Anyone who commits violence will face accountability.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Corey Henry, 23, an alleged member of Folk Nation gang, was sentenced today to five years in prison for first-degree Assault in one incident and five years in prison for Attempted Murder in the second-degree in a second incident, by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy. He pleaded guilty to the charges on April 22, 2025. The sentences will run concurrent to each other and to a prison term for a Brooklyn murder conviction. The People requested that the sentences be consecutive. 

According to the investigation, on August 3, 2023, in a dayroom of the Robert N. Davoren Center, the defendant, acting in concert, stabbed and slashed a fellow inmate repeatedly in the neck and face with a makeshift weapon, inflicting serious injury. NYC Department of Correction staff intervened and removed the victim, who required numerous stitches for his wounds.

According to the investigation, on October 27, 2023, in the Enhanced Supervision Housing within Rose M. Singer Center, the defendant along with three other inmates were seen on video surveillance approaching an inmate, slashing and stabbing him, leaving him seriously injured. DOC Officers intervened. 

District Attorney Clark thanked BXDA Detective Investigator Tashana Phelps for her work on the case. District Attorney Clark thanked Department of Correction Central Intelligence Bureau Investigators Korab Hasangjekaj, James Ruiz, Jeffrey Rios, and Walter Holmes for their diligent work in the investigation.  

Governor Hochul Announces $125 Million Awarded to Create Homeless Housing Across New York State

New York Steps Up as Federal Supportive Housing Funding Declines, Protecting Vulnerable New Yorkers Amid National Cuts

State Funding Will Create 645 Units of Permanent Supportive, Transitional, and Emergency Housing in the Capital District, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Mohawk Valley, New York City, Southern Tier, and Western New York

Projects Include Funding for Housing with On-Site Support Services to Assist Formerly Homeless Veterans, Older Adults, Survivors of Domestic Violence, and Individuals Living with Serious Mental Illness and/or Substance Use Disorders and Their Families

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $125 million has been awarded to 13 projects that will create 645 units and nearly 1,000 beds of permanent supportive, transitional, and emergency housing in the Capital District, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Mohawk Valley, New York City, Southern Tier, and Western New York for individuals and families who have experienced homelessness.

“Creating new supportive housing, which combines affordable housing and services, is a fundamental part of our work to address the housing and homelessness crisis in our state,” Governor Hochul said. “This investment will help families and individuals who have experienced homelessness across our state remain stably housed while supporting strong neighborhoods and a brighter future for all New Yorkers.”

The grants — awarded through a competitive process by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) — are an important component of Governor Hochul's $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan that will help create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York State, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations. The 13 projects awarded funding will provide housing with on-site support services for individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, including veterans, frail elderly, survivors of domestic violence, and those living with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders.

With these awards, HHAP has committed all of the $125 million in funding provided to the program in the SFY 2026 budget for the creation of new permanent supportive housing. HHAP is still accepting applications for $25 million in additional funding Governor Hochul secured in the SFY 2026 budget for the preservation and stabilization of existing supportive housing units constructed with funding from HHAP, as well as $1 million for emergency shelter repairs.

The projects awarded funding include:

Capital District

• DePaul Properties, Inc. - $9.5 million to develop 34 units/72 beds of permanent supportive housing in Schenectady to house individuals and families who have experienced homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence, adults age 55 and older, persons with mental illness, and young adults. This is part of a larger project, Schenectady Community Action Program (SCAP) Campus Apartments, which also includes 26 affordable units in what will be the new construction of a four-story building, plus a new two-story building with a daycare and community support services.

Central New York

• The Rescue Mission - $15 million to construct a new, 80-unit emergency shelter in Auburn, Cayuga County, with an additional eight units of permanent supportive housing for those who have experienced homelessness. The project, the Auburn Rescue Mission Emergency Shelter and Permanent Supportive Apartments, includes the new construction of a three-story, all-electric building with separate entrances and spaces for the permanent and emergency tenants, support services space, laundry, and common room. The new shelter will replace and expand an existing shelter.

Finger Lakes

• Finger Lakes Area Counseling & Recovery Agency (FLACRA) - $2.5 million to develop five units and nine beds of permanent supportive housing in Waterloo, Seneca County, for individuals and families with a head of household diagnosed with substance use disorder. This project, FLACRA Supportive Housing Waterloo, involves the construction of three new buildings on two sites, which will include one three-bedroom, single-family home and two townhome style buildings with two one-bedroom apartments in each.

Long Island

• Concern Housing - $14.9 million to develop 88 units of permanent supportive housing in Brentwood, Suffolk County, for individuals with mental illness. This is part of a larger project, Joseph’s Village, that includes the rehabilitation of three buildings on the Sisters of Saint Joseph Campus, which will have an additional 88 affordable units. The buildings will be all-electric and meet the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Mohawk Valley

• People First - $5.1 million to develop 19 units of permanent supportive housing in Utica, Oneida County, for individuals over age 55 and young adults, as part of a larger project that includes an additional 83 affordable units. THRIVE Cornhill will include the construction of two new, four-story, wood-frame, all-electric buildings. Building one will include 57 one-bedroom and 21 two-bedroom units and amenities, including a community room, computer lab, laundry room, and fitness center. Building two will contain commercial space on the ground floor and 24 apartments with 6,500 square feet of common space on the upper floors.

New York City

• New Destiny Housing Corporation - $12 million to develop 97 units/278 beds of permanent supportive housing in Brooklyn, including 34 one-bedroom units for formerly homeless individuals and 63 units/244 beds for formerly homeless families that include members who are survivors of domestic violence. The project, Atlantic Avenue West, involves the new construction of a 14-story all-electric building with a total of 162 units/452 beds. The building will also include program offices, security desk, laundry room, library, playroom, fitness room, and other amenities.
• CAMBA Housing Ventures, Inc. - $12.5 million to develop 73 units/101 beds of permanent supportive housing in Brooklyn for individuals who are, or families that include someone who is, over age 55 who have experienced homelessness. The project, Kingsborough Seniors, includes a total of 171 units/233 beds and includes the construction of a new 15-story building with amenities such as a computer room, bicycle parking, a fitness center, multiple outdoor terraces, public art throughout the building, rooftop garden, a walking loop, an activity terrace, and a grandparents’ room for residents to host intergenerational gatherings.
• WellLife Network, Inc. - $15 million to develop 88 units of permanent supportive housing in Brooklyn for individuals and families who have experienced chronic homelessness or are living with mental illness. Osborn Street Apartments will include a total of 146 units/249 beds of affordable housing in a newly constructed, nine-story, all-electric building with program offices, a recreation room, exercise room, children’s play area, and laundry rooms.
• West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, Inc. - $5.9 million to develop 40 units of permanent supportive housing in the Upper West Side of Manhattan for individuals age 55 and older who have experienced chronic homelessness. The newly constructed 12-story passive housing building, at 105 W 108th Street, will feature a total of 84 affordable units, a community room, support services offices, and a rear yard.

Southern Tier

• Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango, Inc. - $8.3 million for the substantial rehabilitation and new construction of two residential buildings in Binghamton that will preserve 14 existing units and provide 7 new units of permanent supportive housing and a total of 69 beds across the two three-story buildings. Griswold Street Apartments will transition from natural gas to fully electric building systems that will provide heat and central air conditioning.

Western New York

• Eagle Star Housing, Inc. - $6.5 million for the new construction of a one-story building in Cheektowaga, Erie County, with 20 units/beds of transitional housing for homeless veterans. The new building, the Cheektowaga Veterans’ Home, will preserve 16 beds and add four new beds. It is designed to look and function like a house, with central gathering areas for living, dining, and cooking.
• DePaul Properties, Inc. - $15 million to develop 60 units/103 beds of permanent supportive housing in Wheatfield, Niagara County, for families and individuals, including older adults and veterans who have experienced homelessness or mental illness. The newly constructed, three-story Granary Apartments will also include an additional 20 affordable units for people with mental illness. The building will be all-electric and is designed to be solar-ready.
• Citizen’s Opportunity for Development and Equality, (CODE) Inc. - $3.2 million to develop 12 units of permanent supportive housing in Jamestown for individuals with mental illness or those who have experienced long-term homelessness. The project, Blooming Gardens, includes the new construction and the substantial rehabilitation of 18 buildings across 12 sites, with a total of 48 units and 140 beds. All-electric systems will be utilized to eliminate the use of fossil fuels for heating, cooling, and common living needs. 

MAYOR ADAMS, BOROUGH PRESIDENT RICHARDS ANNOUNCE “QUEENS HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL”

 

Memorial Will Honor Memory of Holocaust Victims and Survivors, 

Provide Space for Remembrance and Education

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards today announced the “Queens Holocaust Memorial,” a new public site to honor the memory of the six million Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust as well as the survivors who rebuilt their lives in New York City. The memorial will be located on the grounds of Queens Borough Hall and serve as a permanent site of remembrance, education, and unity. The city and the Office of the Queens Borough President have allocated a total of $3 million to support the project’s development; the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) will oversee the site designation and coordination with community stakeholders and civic leaders. The City will advance a formal design process to build a commemorative garden and public artwork. The artist selection process will be led by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ “Percent for Art” program in consultation with artists, historians, and Holocaust survivors. 

 

“It is not enough to say ‘never again’ — we have to live it with our actions too. By preserving the stories of both victims and survivors, by creating a permanent space for remembrance and reflection, by promoting understanding and solidarity across generations, this memorial will live out the meaning of ‘never again,’” said Mayor Adams. “As our city and our country confront the rising tide of antisemitism, our administration will not remain silent. We will use our office to call out hate wherever we find it, encourage compassion wherever we need it, and create a city where everyone can live side by side in harmony.” 

 

“No matter how much time passes since the evils of the Holocaust, New York City’s commitment to the pledge of ‘Never Again’ must never waver. That is why, in the face of rising tides of heinous anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial across our society, I could not be prouder to lead this effort alongside the administration and the Queens’ Jewish community in creating this critically important memorial here at Queens Borough Hall,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “The Queens Holocaust Memorial will not only pay a touching tribute to the six million innocent Jews murdered by the Nazis and the survivors who settled in our borough afterward, but it will also serve as daily inspiration for our fight to forge a future free of anti-Semitism. I thank all our city and community partners for their commitment to see this memorial through.” 

 

“When hate crimes, vandalism, and extremist rhetoric targeting Jewish communities are happening both nationally and globally, this memorial will stand not only as a powerful testament to those lost and to those who rebuilt, but also as a rebuke to intolerance and a reminder of our imperative to confront hatred with moral clarity,” said Moshe Davis, executive director, Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism. 

 

"This Holocaust Memorial Garden we begin to build today, is a reminder of what can happen if we forget the past. It will also serve to keep our focus on the present, while we hope for our future,” said Michael Nussbaum, chairman, Holocaust Memorial Garden. “The Memorial Garden will be a place where anyone can come to reflect and seek peace." 

 

New York City is home to more Holocaust survivors than any other city in the world. Following the liberation of the concentration camps, thousands of survivors came to New York, many settling in Queens, where they rebuilt their lives, raised families, established businesses, enriched the city’s cultural institutions, and helped make New York a global center of Jewish life.  

 

The memorial was originally proposed by the Queens Jewish Community Council in partnership with local civic and faith leaders. The City of New York will formally designate and dedicate the site for the purpose of a Holocaust Memorial through a DCAS assignment letter. The Queens Jewish Community Council will lead additional fundraising efforts to support the design and construction of the commemorative artwork. When complete, the Queens Holocaust Memorial will be the first major Holocaust memorial in Queens, joining other sites of remembrance throughout New York City. The memorial site will host Holocaust remembrance ceremonies, educational programs for students, and community gatherings that promote understanding and solidarity across generations and communities. 

 

“Trauma leaves its mark, but it does not have to define us,” continued Berger. “This memorial stands as a reminder of the past we must never forget, and as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who transformed their suffering into a legacy of resilience, community, and hope.” 

 

“The Queens Holocaust Memorial Garden will create a lasting place of reflection and remembrance for the Jewish community in Queens. This garden will stand in honor of the six million Jews who were systematically persecuted and murdered, as well as the millions of non-Jewish civilians, soldiers, and prisoners of war who also perished across Europe,” said Melinda Katz, district attorney of Queens. As time passes and we lose more Holocaust survivors—those who witnessed these atrocities firsthand—it becomes our collective responsibility to preserve their stories and protect the truth. I thank Mayor Eric Adams, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Memorial Garden Chairman Michael Nussbaum for their commitment in bringing this meaningful project to life. This memorial will serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of unchecked hatred to ensure that history never repeats itself.” 

 

Permits Filed for 2740 Webster Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a 12-story dormitory building at 2740 Webster Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx. Located by the intersection with East 197th Street, the lot is near the Kingsbridge Road subway station, served by the B and D trains. Mark Stagg of RYTY Home Builders is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 130-foot-tall development will yield 215,129 square feet designated for community facility space. The building will have 162 units with a total 672 dwellings on the lot. The concrete-based structure will also have a 20-foot-long rear yard.

Ariel Aufgang of Aufgang Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in February of this year. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Financing Secured For Melrose Concourse Affordable Developments in Claremont and Morrisania, The Bronx

 

Walker & Dunlop has arranged $19.1 million in combined equity and debt financing for Melrose Concourse, a collection of three new affordable housing developments in The Bronx at 404 Claremont Parkway in Claremont, and 1169 Washington Avenue and 12 Gouverneur Place in Morrisania. Designed by ESKW Architects and developed through a joint venture between Settlement Housing Fund and the Beechwood Organization, the properties will yield a combined 72 affordable housing units. 

All units within Melrose Concourse will serve households earning between 30 and 70 percent of the area median income (AMI), with 60 units financed under the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. The buildings are designed to accommodate both general and senior populations, with 23 units reserved for residents aged 62 and older, including some units designated for formerly homeless individuals.

The building at 404 Claremont Parkway will stand four stories and yield eight units in one- and two-bedroom layouts, as well as a roof terrace. The nine-story building at 1169 Washington Avenue will contain 34 units, a ground-floor community room, and private terraces on the upper levels. The ten-story 12 Gouverneur Place will feature 30 units, communal spaces, and a landscaped rear yard.

All three buildings within Melrose Concourse are designed to exceed 2020 Enterprise Green Community standards and will operate using all-electric systems.

Transit nearby the development includes the 2 and 5 trains at the Intervale Avenue and Prospect Avenue stations, as well as the B and D trains at the 170th Street station.

NYC Comptroller’s Office Releases Fiscal Year 2025 Popular Annual Financial Report

The Office of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the fiscal year (FY) ending June 30, 2025. The PAFR provides the public with a concise and accessible snapshot of the financial statements and details published in the accompanying Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

The PAFR is a widely used resource for New Yorkers and various stakeholders seeking an easy-to-understand explanation of the City’s fiscal health. It includes explanatory visuals to increase accessibility for readers.

“As we mark the 50th anniversary of the City’s fiscal crisis, we are reminded of the importance of transparency tools like the PAFR which provide a clear-eyed view of the City’s fiscal health for the public and stakeholders alike,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “This year’s release, distilling the information in the accompanying ACFR, shows that we are on solid financial footing, but weathering future challenges equitably to meet the needs of all New Yorkers will require a disciplined and prudent approach. I am grateful for the dedication of my Office’s Bureau of Accountancy whose efforts preparing this report advances our commitment to transparency and accountability for the City’s fiscal resilience.”

For the 45th consecutive year, in acknowledgement of excellence and commitment to compiling this resource, among many, the City of New York was awarded the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This report will also be submitted specifically for consideration of GFOA’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting which the City of New York has received for the last ten fiscal years.

This year’s PAFR highlights:

New York City’s Economy

New York City’s economy continued moderate growth during FY 2025.

Employment Across New York City

• Employment gains were mostly in the Health & Social Assistance sector.
• Employment in the city’s key Finance, Information, and Professional & Business Services sectors was little changed, but these sectors experienced fairly strong wage growth.

Housing & Real Estate

• The housing rental market grew increasingly tight over the course of the year, while the sales market was more sluggish.
• Roughly 37,000 housing units were added to the city’s housing stock in 2024 (a 1% increase, in line with job growth)—enough to prevent the housing shortage from getting worse but not enough to alleviate it.
• In general, most of the expansion in housing occurred in neighborhoods adjacent to or in Manhattan.

New York City’s Finances

Program and General Revenues

• In FY 2025, program and general revenues were approximately $120.1 billion, an increase of $4.9 billion from FY 2024. The major components of the changes in governmental activities revenues were an increase in tax revenues and a decrease in operating grants and contributions.
• Real estate taxes had the most revenues, totaling $34.5 billion, followed by operating grants and contributions, at $30.2 billion.
• The increase in personal income taxes (from $13.61 billion in FY 2024 to $16.32 billion in FY 2025) is driven by a robust labor market and record high Wall Street bonuses, coupled with continued strength in financial markets.
• Operating grants and contributions decreased (from $31.52 billion in FY 2024 to $30.17 billion in FY 2025) due to the decline in Federal revenues in FY 2025, primarily in Education Foundation Aid and Federal Stimulus.
• The increase in real estate taxes (from $32.92 billion in FY 2024 to $34.48 billion in FY 2025) resulted from growth in billable assessed value during the fiscal year.

Expenses

• FY 2025 expenses were approximately $120.3 billion, a decrease of close to $1.8 billion from FY 2024. The major components of the changes in governmental activities expenses were within social services and education.
  • A decrease in general government expenses (from $10.13 billion in FY 2024 to $9.19 billion in FY 2025) was due to implantation of prior year savings initiatives and changes in procurement schedules.
  • Social Services expenses grew (from $21.08 billion in FY 2024 to $22.32 billion in FY 2025) due to increased spending for rental assistance costs and public assistance costs.
  • Environmental Protection expenses increased (from $5.006 billion in FY 2024 to $5.008 billion in FY 2025) due to increases in hiring, collective bargaining, water treatment costs, and investments in technology and cybersecurity measures.

The full Popular Annual Financial Report for 2025 is available at https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/popular-annual-financial-reports/.