IN 1st YEAR UNDER MANDATORY RULES, MAYOR DE BLASIO AND CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZE 4,700 AFFORDABLE HOMES THROUGH PROGRAM

  Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and elected officials today celebrate the one year anniversary of the passage of Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH), a program that requires developers to build permanently affordable housing in areas zoned for growth to ensure that all of the city’s neighborhoods will be diverse and inclusive. In the first year alone, 11 applications for nearly 4,700 new affordable homes have been approved by the City Council. At least 1,600 are required to be permanently affordable under MIH.

This landmark MIH legislation, the strongest inclusionary program in the nation, was adopted by the City Council on March 22, 2016. It was the result of months of advocacy by the Mayor, his administration, and the New York City Council working to create a program that protects our neighborhoods by mandating affordability.

Compared to MIH programs in other cities, New York City’s requires a higher percentage of affordable housing, serves lower income families and a broader range of households, and will result in more affordable housing being located in the same building as market rate housing.

MIH ensures balanced growth and economically diverse neighborhoods, while also providing a tool for communities to shape development.

The Council also adopted Zoning for Quality & Affordability, a far-reaching overhaul of the City’s zoning resolution that encourages the construction of affordable housing across the city, especially for seniors, by lowering costs and adding flexibility. ZQA also allows for better-ground floor retail and community-facility spaces. MIH and ZQA works with other housing programs to achieve ambitious affordability targets set inHousing New York.

“Among our most important achievements as we strive to secure affordability for millions of New Yorkers was passing these historic zoning changes, Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and Zoning for Quality & Affordability. With them, we will build tens of thousands of affordable homes for seniors, veterans and working families,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“MIH and ZQA are powerful affordability tools to help make New York work for everyone. While it has been just one year, they are already bearing fruit. We must continue to use MIH and ZQA to facilitate affordable housing as we plan for growth in targeted locations throughout our city. These zoning regulations, together with the formidable tools of our partners at HPD and HDC, position us to work effectively with communities and their elected representatives to achieve the affordability goals of Housing New York: providing opportunity to New Yorkers with a range of incomes and strengthening our neighborhoods,” said City Planning Commission Chair Marisa Lago.

“MIH and ZQA changed the paradigm for how New York City will grow for generations to come,” said Housing, Preservation and Development Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer. “Thanks to this landmark victory, the city now has a robust MIH pipeline of permanently affordable housing to ensure inclusive growth in our neighborhoods. By overhauling the zoning code, ZQA is already resulting in buildings with better design and more affordable housing, especially for our seniors. HPD is grateful to Mayor de Blasio and the entire City Council for their leadership, and to our partners at City Planning for this monumental achievement to keep our neighborhoods affordable and diverse and our city strong.”

"The passage of MIH and ZQA have provided critical new tools to address our City’s affordable housing crisis,” said Eric Enderlin for President of the City’s Housing Development Corporation. “By ensuring the development of affordable housing is not just mandatory, but permanently affordable, MIH enables us to provide long term housing solutions for more New Yorkers at a wide range of incomes. This visionary legislation demonstrates the City’s commitment to ensuring New York City truly remains a city for everyone.”

Approved Projects:

Borough	Project Name	Total Units	Total Affordable Units	MIH Permanently Affordable Units
		Projected
Queens	One Flushing	231	231	83
Bronx	La Central (Bronxchester RFP)	992	992	248-298
Bronx	Lambert Houses	1655	1655	331-413
Bronx	Concourse Village West	265	265	68
Bronx	1932 Bryant Ave	327	327	82-98
Manhattan	Lexington Gardens II	400	400	160
Manhattan	The Robeson	79	79	22
Manhattan	The Frederick	74	74	19
Bronx	147th St Rezoning	165	165	58-81
Brooklyn	141 Willoughby Street	202	60	60
Manhattan	550 Washington Street	1586	476	476
		5976	4724	1,607-1,778

Department of Transportation Confirms Plan to Install Traffic Light at Ft. Independence and Heath Avenue Intersection

   On February 8^th, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz  along with his colleagues Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Council Member Andrew Cohen, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, State Senator Jeffrey Klein, held a press conference at the intersection of Heath Avenue and Ft. Independence Street to bring attention to dangerous conditions at the intersection and to highlight Ft. Independence’s lack of adequate pedestrian safety measures. Deputy Inspector O’Toole and Detective Mindy Ramos from the Bronx’s 50^thPrecinct were also present at the event, as well as parents and students from the nearby P.S. 360, and local community leaders including Community Board 8 Chair Dan Padernacht.

The elected officials agreed that the current three way y-shaped intersection should be replaced with a three way traffic light or an all-way stop sign as the current unsafe conditions also do nothing to alleviate speeding cars on Ft. Independence, which pedestrians, most notably children, must deal with when attempting to cross the street on the way to school or to the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center which hosts several after school programs.

After repeated requests for a review of traffic conditions by Assemblyman Dinowitz, the Department of Transportation DOT agreed to conduct a twelve week traffic study in September of 2016. 

The results of that study were released and the Bronx DOT Commissioner Nivardo Lopez confirmed plans to have the traffic light installed. In addition, the Fort Independence Street Corridor will be studied for additional safety improvements.

"I have led the calls for a traffic signal at a Fort Independence and Heath Avenue for some time, So I am very pleased that DOT has agreed to install a traffic signal at this very dangerous intersection by the end of July. I have seen first-hand how dangerous this location is for pedestrians and motorists alike. Just recently, community leaders and my colleagues in government joined me at this location to demonstrate the importance of improved safety measures at this intersection and to demand action. I am confident that safety will be improved thanks too this wise decision by DOT,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.

The installation of a traffic light at Fort Independence Street and Heath Avenue will make this busy intersection much safer, particularly for our children and seniors," said Council Member Andrew Cohen.  "I'm thankful the DOT heeded the request of the elected officials and residents, and responded quickly by agreeing to install this needed traffic light."

CONGRESSMAN ADRIANO ESPAILLAT STATEMENT ON THE EMPIRE STATE KICKBACK AS BAD DEAL FOR NEW YORK STATE

   U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following statement in response to the “Empire State Kickback” provision in the Republican’s failed attempt to make the American Health Care Act (AHCA) more palatable.

“In a dangerous and haphazard gambit to garner enough support to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA), Republican leadership has added an ‘Empire State Kickback’ provision in a failed attempt to make this odious legislation palatable to Republicans in New York’s Congressional delegation,” said Rep. Espaillat.

“The Empire State Kickback provision directly harms the State of New York by denying $2 billion in federal Medicaid funding on top of the already $5 billion cut by the AHCA.  This provision is a shameful political ploy dressed as an attempt to lower local property taxes; almost as shameful as the Republicans calling their bill healthcare reform instead of acknowledging that it is a tax reform benefitting the wealthy and irrevocably harming the most underserved communities.

“As we celebrate the 7th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, let’s not turn back the clock on the progress we have made since its passage.  The radical Republican health care bill would take health care away from 2.7 million New Yorkers, and cost state taxpayers $6.9 billion in additional costs.  The bill is an all-out attack on New York and our inclusive vision that health care is a fundamental right in America.  The reality of the AHCA does little to improve the lives of New Yorkers and harms our residents by making them pay more for less for the healthcare they rightfully deserve.”

US Senator Catherine Cortez Masto to Keynote 30th Annual Latino Conference in Albany

Over 4,000 Latinos from across New York State expected to attend major policy conference starting Friday, culminates with Mock Assembly Session

  Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo, chair of the Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, announced major events which will take place during the 30^th Annual Legislative Conference of the Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force known as “the Somos Conference” which occurs on March 24^th to 25^th 2017 at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, New York.

Highlighting the three-day gathering of Latino political, civic and labor leaders, including thousands of students and senior citizens will be the keynote address by U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, the first Latina elected to the United States Senate in the 229 years of the Republic. 

Senator Cortez Masto is the Junior Senator from Nevada and served as that state’s Attorney General from 2007 to 2015.  She is the highest ranking Latino member of Congress and joins the ranks of influential Latinas serving in the federal government alongside Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor.  She will speak on Saturday, March 25^th at 7:30 PM at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.

The conference will kick-off on Friday, March 24^th with close to a thousand college students traveling to Albany to participate in a collegiate conference and career fair hosted by the New York State Departments of Labor and Civil Service. Later that morning over 1,200 senior citizens from across the state will arrive for workshops on elderly-related issues and attend the annual Senior Luncheon. Before departing Albany, the college students will participate in a rally on the East Steps of the State Capitol to show their support for comprehensive immigration reform.

“This year’s conference marks the 30^th anniversary of groundbreaking work by four Latino lawmakers who saw the need to grow our community’s involvement in the intellectual affairs of our state and nation.  Today, there are over 20 members of the New York State Legislature who are Latino or of Latino descent and our focus has always been on creating avenues of opportunity for the next generation,” declared Crespo.  “That is the reason this year’s conference theme is ‘A Legacy of Nourishing and Empowering Future Generations.”

On Saturday, March 25^th CUNY and SUNY college students will arrive to participate in a mock Senate Session and on Sunday, March 26^th over 200 high school student from across New York will arrive for a full day mock Assembly Session.  “Over the past 30 years over 5,500 high school students have participated in the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute and hundreds of thousands in scholarship funds have been awarded to participating students,” stated Assemblyman Crespo.  These students have been participating in month’s long public policy training at BOCES centers across the State and will spend Monday, March 27^th visiting their local legislators as part of their leadership training.

According to Crespo, “Our continued focus on public policies that shape Latino communities is addressed by 18 workshops discussing a wide range of issues prominent in national discourse and in need of solutions,” added, “Each workshop has the participation of expert panelists that will contribute important details and information critical to solving some of our most pressing socio-economic problems.”

Additional information on the dozens of events scheduled for the conference can be found at:

http://somosnewyork.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2017-Somos-Program-2.25.17.pdf

Set Sail! Mayor de Blasio Announces First Citywide Ferry Boat Has Departed Gulf Coast Shipyard for New York City

   Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the first of twenty new boats built for the soon-to-be-launched Citywide Ferry Service has departed Horizon Shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Alabama and is on its way to New York City.

The vessel, which departed Tuesday afternoon, will travel 1,742 nautical miles, across the Gulf of Mexico, through Lake Okeechobee, and up the East Coast of the United States.

The vessel will cover approximately 280 nautical miles every 12-18 hours, with periodic port calls for refueling and any needed mechanical and system adjustments. Depending on weather and other conditions, the vessel is expected to arrive in New York Harbor early next month. You can follow the boat’s progress by following @CitywideFerry or www.citywideferry.nyc.

“The brand new boats are hitting the water. Construction on our docks is in full swing. And we’re hiring the crews that will carry New Yorkers across the city. This is an exciting time as we prepare to launch a whole new public transit service for our people,” Mayor de Blasio said.

From start to first splash (when a new boat hits water), each Citywide Ferry vessel takes roughly eight months to complete. The vessel then undergoes a sea trial to ensure it is fit for service and for its maiden voyage up the East Coast.

Video of the first Citywide Ferry leaving port and at sea and photos can be accessed here.

“The first Citywide Ferry boat is officially on its way,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President James Patchett. “Soon you’ll be seeing these modern, efficient vessels right here in New York Harbor. This is a major milestone toward launching Citywide Ferry this summer, and connecting more New Yorkers to good jobs and opportunities all along our waterfront.”

“The first of 20 Citywide Ferry vessels is homeward bound for New York City – the newest way for New Yorkers and visitors to “work, live, play” throughout the boroughs when we launch this summer,” said Cameron Clark, Senior Vice President and Project Manager for Citywide Ferry by Hornblower. “These brand new state-of-the-art vessels will create new links to tech hubs, job centers, educational opportunities and so much more, all for the price of a subway ride and with regular, reliable service.”

Each sea trial, which lasts about a week, includes a series of tests conducted by the shipyard, the vessel’s owner and the U.S. Coast Guard. A professional team of engineers, captains and other technical crew membersthoroughly vet the vessel’s equipment, speed, safety and overall performance. Once the vessel is certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, the vessel can sail up to New York City.

With 20 vessels operating at 21 landings across New York City, Citywide Ferry will carry an estimated 4.6 million trips per year across six routes – providing a new and easily accessible transit option for traditionally underserved communities and where jobs and housing are growing rapidly.

Mayor de Blasio recently announced hiring for the first of 200 new jobs to be created by Citywide Ferry Service. All boats will now be docked, fueled and maintained out of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where an additional passenger stop also will be added in 2018.

All Citywide Ferry jobs will pay the City’s Living Wage or higher, and provide comprehensive benefits. Workforce1 Career Centers will be accepting applicants for captain and deckhand jobs throughout the spring and summer. The first interviews will be March 24 at the downtown Brooklyn Workforce1 Career Center. The next round of hiring will take place in early summer for positions ranging from concessions to deckhands and operations. For a list of all Workforce1 locations, click here. Applicant may also apply through the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Employment Center, here or via the Citywide Ferry by Hornblower Website.

For more information on Citywide Ferry and to stay up-to-date on the latest information, visit www.CitywideFerry.NYC.

More Details on Citywide Ferry Service

Routes:

·         Rockaway, South Brooklyn and Astoria routes are scheduled to launch in 2017.

·         Rockaway route will connect to the Brooklyn Army Terminal and Wall Street.

·         Astoria route will connect to Astoria, Roosevelt Island, Long Island City, East 34th Street and Wall Street.

·         South Brooklyn route will connect Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Army Terminal, Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1 and Pier 6, and Wall Street, with an optional link to Governors Island.

·         Soundview and Lower East Side routes to launch in 2018.

·         Routes from Coney Island and Stapleton on Staten Island are in the planning stages for future expansion.

·         Combined routes will cover over 60 miles of waterway.

Commuting Times:

·         Rockaway to Wall Street (1 stop): Approximately 1 hour

·         Astoria to E 34th Street (2 stops): Approximately 22 minutes

·         Astoria to Wall Street (3 stops): Approximately 38 minutes

·         Soundview to Wall Street (2 stops): Approximately 43 minutes

·         Bay Ridge to Wall Street (4 stops): Approximately 48 minutes

Pricing:

·         Cost per ride will equal that of a single subway ride.

·         Over 4,000 daily East River Ferry customers will see fares reduced from $4 to the cost of a single subway ride.

·         Fare will allow for free transfers to any other ferry route within the system, including the East River Ferry.

·         Both paper and smartphone ticketing will be available, with payments accepted via cash, credit, or debit card. Discounts will be available for seniors, children and New Yorkers with disabilities.

·         Passengers will be allowed to bring bicycles on board for a $1 fee.

The Boats:

·         Each boat will be able to carry 150 passengers.

·         All boats will be equipped with WiFi.

·         Boats will be fully accessible to New Yorkers with disabilities, and will comply with the requirements of both the Americans with Disabilities Act and New York City Local Law 68 of 2005.

·         New boats will be equipped with the most modern engine design available to reduce emissions and noise, as well as an efficient hull design that will limit wakes and maximize fuel economy.

City Support:

·         The city is investing $55 million in infrastructure upgrades, including building 10 new ferry landings. Barge construction is currently underway at a facility on Staten Island.

·         The city is providing $30 million in operating support per year, over a period of six years. Based on a projection of 4.6 million annual trips, the per-trip subsidy for Citywide Ferry Service will be $6.60, lower than the nearly $8 per trip subsidy on the Long Island Railroad or the nearly $15 per trip subsidy for express buses. The city is providing $10 million for additional startup costs, such as vessel upgrades and ticketing machines.

·         City negotiated an option to acquire ferry vessels, allowing for greater operational flexibility and providing significant savings to taxpayers over the life of the service (roughly up to $5 million per year).

·         City will receive a portion of fare-box revenue if ridership exceeds 5.6 million passengers.

5th Annual Fair Housing Symposium

NO! to Housing Discrimination. Enough is Enough!

Thursday, April 27^th at Hostos Community College - Hostos Café  

450 Grand Concourse  Bronx, NY

(Wheelchair Accessible)

SESSION 1:

2:30pm - 5:15pm

For attorneys, advocates, and service providers

SESSION 2:

5:30pm - 8:30pm

For tenants and tenant organizers

Assistive listening device, language interpretation, other other accommodation is available upon request.

Kajori Chaudhuri, LMSW

Bronx Community Service Center Director

New York City Commission on Human Rights

1932 Arthur Avenue, Room 203A | Bronx, NY 10457

t: 718-579-6702 | c: 347-703-2137 | f: 718-500-7336 | nyc.gov/humanrights

MAYOR DE BLASIO SIGNS PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION INCREASING ACCESIBILITY IN CITY FACILITIES

   Mayor Bill de Blasio today held public hearings for and signed 14 pieces of legislation– Intros. 1161-A in relation to requiring DOHMH report annually on immunization rates of New Yorkers for Human Papillomavirus; Intro. 1162-A in relation to requiring DOHMH to report annually on the use of contraceptives; Intro 1172-A in relation to requiring DOHMH to report annually on maternal mortality;  Intro. 748-B in relation to amending the New York City charter in relation to drug strategy; Intro. 882-A in relation to requiring that a hearing loop – which helps people with hearing loss hear better – be installed in certain capital projects; Intro. 1280-B in relation to requiring NYPD to make collision reports available online to individuals involved; Intro. 1071-A in relation to requiring DOT to conduct a study of private streets; Intro. 1474-A in relation to lowering the tax on the transfer of a taxi medallion; Intro. 1475-A in relation to removing restrictions on the transfer of taxi medallions; Intro 873-A in relation to establishing a car-sharing pilot program that reserves some street parking spaces for car-share vehicles; Intro. 267-A in relation to requiring DOT to designate parking spaces in municipal parking lots for car-share organizations; Intro. 247-A in relation to increasing the fines for performing electrical work without a license; Intro. 820-A in relation to requiring DSNY to consider programs that would incentivize recycling in public housing; and Intro. 1198-A in relation to requiring DEP to publish a plan for reducing flooding in Queens Community Districts 12 and 13, and to report annually on progress.

“Hearing loops allow those with hearing loss to fully participate in daily, civic life. Intro 882-A will ensure appropriate accommodations are made in City facilities for those with hearing loss whenever the City does major capital renovations,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Additionally, Intros 873-A and 267-A provide a new mobility service in City neighborhoods that will reduce the need for personal car ownership, provide greater access to motor vehicle use for the majority of New Yorkers who don’t own one, and help reduce congestion on City streets.”

Intro. 882-A requires that a hearing loop – which helps people with hearing loss hear better – be installed for certain capital projects.

Intro. 1161-A requires DOHMH to report annually on immunization rates of New Yorkers for Human Papillomavirus. 

Intro. 1162-A requires DOHMH to report annually on the use of contraceptives.

Intro 1172-A requires DOHMH to report annually on maternal mortality.

Intro. 748-B requires the City of NY to issue a biennial report on strategies to address drug misuse in NYC.

Intro. 1280-B requires NYPD to make collision reports available online to individuals involved.

Intro. 1071-A requires DOT to conduct a study of private streets.

Intro. 1474-A lowers the tax on the transfer of a taxi medallion.

Intro. 1475-A removes certain restrictions on the transfer of taxi medallions.

Intro 873-A establishes a car-sharing pilot program that reserves some street parking spaces for car-share vehicles.

 Intro. 267-A requires DOT to designate parking spaces in municipal parking lots for car-share organizations. 

Intro. 247-A increases the fines for performing electrical work without a license.

Intro. 820-A requires DSNY to consider programs that would incentivize recycling in public housing.

Intro. 1198-A requires DEP to publish a plan for reducing flooding in Queens Community Districts 12 and 13, and to report annually on progress.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

In case you were wondering about Intro 873-A, and Intro 267-A taking public parking away for so called ride sharing companies here are the council members.

 Intro 873-A establishes a car-sharing pilot program that reserves some street parking spaces for car-share vehicles. 

"New York is home to more than 1.4 million cars, and as anyone who's ever looked for a parking spot in Borough Park, Forest Hills or anywhere in Manhattan knows all too well, it is a brutal and time consuming process. The research is clear that for every one shared car put on a city street, between 5 and 10 less fuel efficient cars are taken off. Car sharing programs have extraordinary potential to reduce road congestion, while actually growing the number of people who have access to cars, especially in the outer boroughs. The quality of life, economic, and environmental benefits of these programs are significant and I thank Mayor de Blasio for signing this legislation in to law today,” said Council Member Mark Levine.

 Intro. 267-A requires DOT to designate parking spaces in municipal parking lots for car-share organizations.

“Today's expanding sharing economy makes Intro 267A common sense legislation that would allow for the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) to create a pilot program that would allow designate 600 parking spaces in municipal parking facilities, as well as on designated street parking spaces for the use of car-sharing organizations throughout the five boroughs. I want to thank Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer for introducing this bill many years ago and trusting me to steer it into passage. Also, I want to thank DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and Mayor de Blasio for working with us to make this bill a reality,” Council Member Rosie Mendez.