The De Blasio Morning Chat with the Usual Limit of Eight Reporters Asking Questions

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Good morning, everybody. Well, we, as New Yorkers – we know we're all connected to each other. We pride ourselves in being a place that really feels a deep sense, an amazing sense of connection to people not only in our own neighborhood, our own city, but all over the world. That's been one of the great blessings of New York City. But in the pandemic, it's also clear that being connected to each other all over the country, all over the world, creates a real challenge. We know that as New Yorkers we've worked together to overcome this virus, to fight it back. We also know we have to be really careful and vigilant to protect ourselves, to protect our loved ones, to protect our city going forward. And so that question of being interconnected comes into play in a big way. In this city there's been a clear understanding of how important it is to wear masks, practice social distancing, take those smart precautions. We know in a lot of the rest of the country and a lot of the rest of the world, that hasn't been the case. And we see skyrocketing levels of coronavirus in so many other places. So, now comes a big challenge ahead – the season of the year when people travel the most. And it's a time we cherish. The holiday season is such a special time for all of us. It's going to be very different this year. We all know that. And yet we're going to feel that pull to want to be with our family, want to be with our loved ones. We're going to feel that pull to do what we would do in a normal year, but it's not a normal year. So, the holidays would normally be a time to go see people in other places. But this year we have to think differently. This year, when we, ironically and painfully, we want to see family the most, we want to see loved ones and friends the most, we're feeling that lack of connection, but this is the year where we have to do things differently because we do see the level of infection rising all over the country, all over the world. We have a real threat of a second wave here in New York City, and we've been fighting it back, but we can't take it lightly. So, most importantly, I want to recommend to all New Yorkers, it's not business as usual. I hate to say it, but I have to urge all New Yorkers, do not travel out of state for the holidays. Do not travel to a state with a high infection rate, do not travel to a country with a high infection rate. Realize that by doing that, unfortunately, you could be putting yourself and your family in danger and also the risk of bringing the disease back here.  

  

Everyone's going to make their own decision. And I know there are painful choices, especially if you haven't seen family in a long time, and you're worried about older relatives in other places, I get it. There's going to be tough choices to make, and everyone has to make their own choice. But my recommendation based on the information I've received from our health care leadership is to avoid travel this holiday season, to stay safe, to keep us all safe. And for those who do travel, recognize how important it is to get tested and recognize there's a very strict quarantine in New York State. And if you go elsewhere, you will have to observe a two-week quarantine coming back. There's a few states that's not true for, but only a few states. The vast majority of American states now are on the New York State quarantine list. Obviously, we see what's happening in a lot of the countries in the world. If you travel, the overwhelming likelihood is you need to quarantine for two weeks upon return. And we've got to take that seriously. Now, that's what I'm urging all New Yorkers to consider. And it's tough and it's painful. But hopefully what we know about this virus is, it is only for a brief period of time, more and more good news coming, it looks like, about a vaccine soon. This hopefully will be the only holiday season that gets affected by this horrible disease. But that's my advice to everyday New Yorkers.   

  

But now let me urge the federal government to act as well because what's been shocking is the inaction of the federal government throughout this crisis. But here's an opportunity right now for the federal government to finally get it right – growing coronavirus crisis around the country and around the world, holiday season coming, lots of travel planned. Guess what? This is a moment for the federal government to take a decisive act and actually make sure that if people do travel, they are safe. This is a moment for the federal government to create a mandate that anyone who gets on an airplane has had a negative coronavirus test within the previous 72 hours. A simple, common sense standard. You have to have proof of a negative result to get on an airplane. This is so smart for everyone who travels to protect each other as travelers. It's so smart to reduce the potential spread of the disease from place to place. I remind you, you can expect airplanes to be very full going into the holidays. A number of airlines are now talking about, they want people in the middle seats to make the most money possible. You've got people all the time in Washington talking about bailing out the airline industry. Guess what? It's not about the airline industry. It's about your health, your family's health, this city's health and safety, the country. That's where we should be thinking about. A federal mandate that says no one gets to go on that airplane unless they can prove they've had a recent negative test result will keep us all safe. So, this is what we will be fighting for. And this is for both international and domestic flights, because we see challenges from many, many places. Further, we need to build upon some really great efforts that have started to have testing available right in the airports for folks coming off planes in New York City at LaGuardia and JFK. Those projects have started. It's a great initiative. We want to go farther. We want to make it easy and clear that anyone coming off a plane should immediately get tested as well. We know testing has made all the difference. Why don't we use that tool that we know works to protect people who travel and protect all of us? I know New Yorkers believe in being tough and rigorous in fighting this disease. This is the kind of thing that would help us so much.   

  

All right, now, talk about our health and safety. We have another challenge. We focus constantly on the coronavirus. We can't take our eye off the ball when there are other problems developing, and one of the painful side effects of the coronavirus has been that the blood supply for New York City has been reduced greatly. There just aren't the blood drives that used to happen in companies and government offices, and civic groups around the city used to do these blood drives and make sure that there was a blood supply to protect New Yorkers in hospitals, protect people having operations. The blood supply has continued to go down in this crisis. So, it is so important that New Yorkers step up. We've asked a lot of you throughout this crisis, but I'm going to ask again, anyone who can donate blood, we need you to do it now. And I always hear from New Yorkers saying how can I help, what can I do to help this city, what can I do to contribute? Here's a way – for those who can, here's a way to help by donating blood. So, to fight back this shortage, we turn to our friends at the New York Blood Center who are always there for the people in this city. And all they're doing is asking you to lend a hand, or more accurately an arm, and provide that blood that will make such a difference that literally could save a life. So, to make a blood donation, they have locations all over the city and extended hours, the New York Blood Center, reach them nybc.org. It can make such a difference. It can be literally a lifesaver.   

  

Okay, let's go over our daily indicators. Number one, daily number of people admitted to New York City hospitals for a suspected COVID-19. That threshold is 200 patients. Today's report is 60 patients with a confirmed positivity for COVID, level of 21.6 percent. Number two, new reported cases on a seven-day average, threshold is 550 cases. Today's report, 528 cases. And number three, the percentage of people testing positive citywide for COVID-19, threshold is five percent. Today's report, 2.48 percent. And that's obviously a number we're watching carefully. That's a number that would obviously cause us all concern, but then let's look at the more essential number, the seven-day rolling average, that comes in at 1.66 percent. That is very much the range we've been in in the last few weeks. That's a number that is fairly stable. We want to keep it that way and then push it back down. 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We do not put the questions from the eight reporters the mayor chooses to call on and chat with. They are allowed to ask two questions rather than have eight more reporters ask the mayor real questions.

We congratulate Errol Lewis for calling Mayor Bill de Blasio a LAME DUCK MAYOR. There should be a count down pad of the number of days he has left in office, like the ones he used for the census, and is using for election day.

Consumer Alert: New York State Division of Consumer Protection Offers Fire Safety Tips During Fire Prevention Month

 

October is Fire Prevention Month and the Perfect Time to Review and Practice Fire Safety; Winter Months are the Peak Time for Fire-Related Deaths

 The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP), in partnership with the United States Consumer Product and Safety Commission (CPSC), advises New Yorkers to “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen” during Fire Prevention Month. 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported 499,000 structure fires in the United States in 2018. In New York State alone, 126 civilian home fire fatalities were reported in 2019.  According to NFPA, the top causes of fires include gas leaks, smoking, candles, and electrical problems. Cooking continues to be the number one cause of home fires and home injuries, but it is also highly preventable. 

“As we hunker down this winter and approach a holiday season full of home traditions, it is more important than ever that we secure our homes inside and out,” said New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. “I encourage all New Yorkers to follow simple tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable season.”

“Fire is the most likely disaster anyone will face,” said State Fire Administrator Francis Nerney. “The good news is that unlike other natural disasters, fire deaths are almost totally preventable. One death is too many if it could have been prevented. With good fire prevention practices and fire safety planning almost all fire fatalities can be eliminated.” 

Be alert and use these tips to protect your family and home:

 Cooking Safely

• Never leave cooking unattended. Always “stand by your pan” and avoid being distracted while cooking.
• Make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it.
• Keep your smoke alarm connected while cooking.
• If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check on it regularly and use a timer or your virtual assistant to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, towels or food packaging away from your stove top.
• Once a child is able to, let them help in the kitchen. It’s a great way to learn about cooking safety. Make sure to have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove.

Alarms

• Have a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside each sleeping room, and outside each separate sleeping area. Interconnect the alarms so when one sounds, they all sound.
• Install smoke alarms and alert devices to help family members who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Alert devices, such as strobe lights, flash when the smoke alarm sounds.
  • Pillow or bed shakers may be useful to wake a person who is sleeping.
• Test your alarms at least once a month. Press each test button to make sure it is working. 

Safety Plans

• Plan and practice your home fire safety plan, including two exits from each room. Share the plan with all family members and guests.
• Have a plan specifically for children, older adults, and people with disabilities. They may need more assistance than others in the household.
• Remove clutter to prevent trips and falls and allow for a quick escape.
• Make sure your home has bright lighting in stairways to prevent falls.
• Install handrails along the full length of both sides of the stairs.
• If there is a fire, get outside quickly and stay outside. Then call 9-1-1.
• If you can’t get outside, call 9-1-1 and let the fire department know. Wave a light-colored cloth or a flashlight from the window.
• Avoid smoke if you can. If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist and empower the State’s consumers. The Division’s Consumer Helpline, 800-697-1220, is available Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Consumer complaints can be filed anytime online at the Division website, www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. You can also request a presentation at, www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection/informing/request_presentation.htm. Follow the Division on Twitter at @NYSConsumer or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Our Member AARP Reach invites you to join COVID-19 Roundtable

 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - OCTOBER 26, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 3.25 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 1.18 Percent      

Statewide Positivity Rate is 1.45 Percent 

12 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  

"New York flattened the curve and we continue to control this virus," Governor Cuomo said. "The data shows that our micro-cluster strategy is working, by stopping small spreads before they become larger. The strategy relies on government being quick, competent and effective - and this is how we are going to control spread through the vaccination period. New York had the highest infection rate in the country, if not on the globe, but New Yorkers came together like no other community and were able to control the virus and flatten the curve."

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 3.25 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 1.18 percent. Within the focus areas, 10,452 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 340 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 71,665 test results were reported, yielding 851 positives. 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Patient Hospitalization - 1,059 (+44) 
• Patients Newly Admitted - 116  
• Hospital Counties - 44 
• Number ICU - 237 (+10) 
• Number ICU with Intubation - 118 (+0) 
• Total Discharges - 79,162 (+70)
• Deaths - 12 
• Total Deaths - 25,742  

Governor Cuomo and Mariah Kennedy Cuomo Announce New York State to Partner with The Realreal to Launch "Mask Up" Campaign

 

To Benefit COVID-19 Relief Efforts and Build Awareness of Need to Wear Masks

Limited-Edition "New York Tough" Mask Designed By Public School Will Raise Funds for New Yorkers in Need 

Mask Profits to be Donated to COVID-19 Relief Charities Feeding America, Nurse Heroes and the New York COVID Relief Fund to Help Food Insecurity and Support Nurses 

 Governor Andrew Cuomo and his daughter Mariah Kennedy Cuomo announced New York State is partnering with The RealReal and dozens of New York fashion designers to launch "Mask Up", a campaign to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts and remind the public of the need to wear masks.  The "Mask Up" campaign will raise funds for communities impacted by COVID-19 by donating mask profits to three charities working in New York and across the country to help people in need - Feeding America, Nurse Heroes and the New York COVID Relief Fund. New York State and The RealReal will release a limited-edition "New York Tough" mask designed by acclaimed New York fashion label Public School as part of a five-week campaign featuring themed weekly mask drops. 

"As we continue the fight against COVID-19, one fact is clear - masks help stop the spread and save lives. But it's also clear that COVID fatigue is setting in and that presents its own challenge," Governor Cuomo said. "We need to find creative ways to encourage people to wear masks. The Mask Up campaign leverages the creativity of the New York fashion community to help solve this public health challenge, while simultaneously raising funds for communities impacted by COVID-19. Take a look at the NY Tough masks and mask up. Together, we will beat this virus." 

"At a time when so many are looking for a way to make a difference, wearing a mask has the power to save lives, and is a statement about who you are," Mariah Kennedy Cuomo said. "The Mask Up campaign unites incredible designers who are deeply connected to New York, the fashion capital of our country. The RealReal and New York State are partnering to harness the power of the fashion community to convey a very simple, but critically important message: Mask Up. Stop the Spread. Save Lives! Our country is still battling COVID-19, and this campaign demonstrates that we can find fun, creative ways to make an impact." 

AG James Secures More Than $613,000 from Developers for Flouting Rent-Stabilization Requirements and Deceiving Tenants

 

Developers of Four Properties Admit Violating 421-a Tax Exemption Rules

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced agreements in four cases involving developers failing to comply with rent-stabilization requirements. The 421-a program provides partial property tax exemptions to real estate developers that build qualifying new housing in New York City. Under New York state law, developers that apply for and receive 421-a tax benefits must register the apartments as rent stabilized and provide the tenants with rent-stabilized leases, rights, and protections, unless the properties are exempt from these requirements because they are operated as a condominium or cooperative. The developers of the Bridgeview Tower Condominium in Long Island City, 5-11 50^th Avenue in Long Island City, 33 Bay 41^st St in Brooklyn, and 63-36 99^th St in Rego Park, all received 421-a tax benefits, but failed to adhere to the relevant requirements.

“Rent-stabilization laws exist to protect tenants, and we will not let landlords or developers circumvent them,” said Attorney General James. “The agreements announced today affirm my office’s commitment to promoting access to safe, affordable housing for all New Yorkers. This is a notice to all bad actors seeking to take advantage of tenants: Not on my watch.”

The settlements involve four cases involving separate properties and developers. In the case of the Bridgeview Tower Condominium (Bridgeview Tower) in Long Island City, an agreement was reached with the sponsor of the building’s offering plan, Queens Bridgeview Tower, LLC, and its principals Zehao Fang, Simon Hung, and Austin Ting. The sponsor of Bridgeview Tower submitted an application for 421-a tax benefits to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), indicating that the building would be a condominium and thus not subject to rent-stabilization requirements. OAG subsequently discovered that all residential units in the building eventually became occupied by tenants, but the sponsor failed to treat the tenants as rent-stabilized under the terms of the 421-a partial tax exemption. As a result of the agreement, the sponsor is required to pay a $150,000 penalty, which will be used by HPD to provide affordable housing in New York City. The sponsor also is required to treat all tenants in the building as rent-stabilized and refund any illegal overcharges.

The second case involves the sponsor of 5-11 50^th Avenue Condominium in Long Island City, 5-11 Realty, LLC, and its principals, Joseph Escarfullery, Elizabeth Petrossian, and Hyunseon Chung. The sponsor falsely represented to OAG that the building was vacant, even though it was occupied by residential tenants. The sponsor also received 421-a tax benefits for approximately 15 years, but failed to provide tenants with rent-stabilized leases and illegally overcharged tenants. The sponsor is required to pay $178,842 in restitution, which will be used by HPD to provide affordable housing to New Yorkers and refund $21,158 to tenants who were illegally overcharged. The sponsor also was required to treat the tenants as rent-stabilized and lower the rents to amounts permitted by law.

The third case involves the sponsor of 33 Bay 41^st Street Condominium in Brooklyn, Wheelock Development, LLC, and its principals Tai Wah Liu, Lai Kuen Wong, Siu Yau Liu, Nenmei Chen, and Chun Kan Cheng. The sponsor illegally rented apartments prior to the completion of the building’s offering plan and failed to offer the tenants rent-stabilized leases despite receiving 421-a tax benefits. Under the agreement, the sponsor paid a penalty of $18,000 and also paid $13,000 in restitution to HPD to finance affordable housing in New York City. In addition, the sponsor is required to treat the tenants as rent-stabilized.

The final case announced today concerns the sponsor of the Millennium 99 Condominium at 63-36 99^th Street in Rego Park, Tuhsur Development, LLC, and its principals, Yan Moshe and Vlad Moshe. The sponsor failed to treat certain tenants in the building as rent-stabilized and overcharged multiple tenants by thousands of dollars each. The sponsor also attempted to evict tenants of a unit, who were illegally overcharged, for non-payment of rent, even though the tenants actually were owed a refund of $22,042. Tuhsur Development was required to pay $159,592 in restitution to be used by HPD to provide affordable housing, $43,066 to tenants that were illegally overcharged, and a $30,000 penalty, as well as lowering the rents of certain units and discontinuing any eviction proceedings against the overcharged tenants.

BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE & NYPD GUN BUYBACK YIELDS 136 FIREARMS, MOSTLY HANDGUNS;

 

74 iPads Were Distributed at Event Last Saturday at Bronx Church

 District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that 136 guns—mostly revolvers and semi-automatic pistols—were turned in at the Bronx Gun Buyback held on Saturday October 24, 2020 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Seventy-four participants received an iPad, courtesy of the Bronx DA’s Office and the New York Yankees, as well as a cash card. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “I am pleased that there are 136 less firearms in homes or on the streets. This event was an opportunity for people to turn in guns, no questions asked, and receive cash AND a useful tool to help their children’s education. I thank the NYPD and Rev. Pierre-Andre Duvert, pastor of St. Luke’s, as well as the New York Yankees, for helping us with our goal of eradicating gun violence in the Bronx.”

DA Clark and NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey inspect the firearms including more than 90 revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, one assault rifle, two sawed-off shotguns, and assorted rifles, starter pistols and BB guns.

Comptroller Stringer Calls on NYCHA to Protect Tenants During Winter Months Amid COVID-19

 

Stringer demands NYCHA expedite capital projects to address chronic issues before potential second wave of COVID-19

NYCHA buildings experienced over 3,600 elevator outages in September alone, which can force residents to crowd into fewer functional elevators

In certain senior-only NYCHA developments, more than 7 out of every 100 residents were infected last spring

 New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer called on Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYCHA Chair and Chief Executive Officer Gregory Russ to address alarming ventilation deficiencies and other conditions in NYCHA buildings that leave residents vulnerable to a potential second wave of COVID-19 during the winter months. In his letter, Comptroller Stringer called on the agency to expedite capital projects that address chronic issues across New York City’s 326 public housing developments – from poor ventilation and elevator outages, to broken boilers and mold outbreaks – that will become even more dangerous when colder weather keeps residents indoors.

Conditions in many NYCHA buildings fall alarmingly short of the standards set by the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) current COVID-19 mitigation guidelines. Defunct ventilation systems do not provide the airflow that is needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and respiratory conditions like asthma. Elevator outages force residents to crowd into a smaller number of available, functional elevators, preventing social distancing and increasing the likelihood of viral spread. Broken boilers and heating systems lead to cold temperatures that can further exacerbate respiratory illnesses and leave residents immunocompromised and susceptible to infection.

Comptroller Stringer also called for a concentrated effort to supply PPE and meal delivery to NYCHA tenants and ensure residents are protected from a possible “second wave”.

In June 2020, a Comptroller Stringer audit revealed NYCHA’s failures to properly track, manage and resolve heating complaints. The Comptroller recommended NYCHA create a system that accurately tracks all heat-related complaints and ensures timely responses to required inspections and repairs; in its response, NYCHA effectively rejected the Comptroller’s recommendations that current practices need to be improved.

To date, Comptroller Stringer’s office has completed fifteen audits and investigations of NYCHA, revealing system-wide deficiencies in the maintenance of roofs and playgrounds, tens of thousands of backlogged repairs and unremedied safety violations (including asbestos, missing carbon monoxide detectors, broken elevators, leaky ceilings, and faulty stoves) and failure to properly train staff to address mold, mildew, and excessive moisture conditions in tenants’ apartments.

Dear Mayor de Blasio and Chair Russ:

As winter approaches, I am writing to underscore the urgent need to protect NYCHA residents from a possible “second wave” of COVID-19, and from challenges posed by colder weather that will keep more tenants indoors.  I am concerned that NYCHA’s poor state of repair, amounting to more than $40 billion in unmet capital needs, will result in unsafe conditions for residents. The heat and elevator outages, mold outbreaks, and poor ventilation that already plague NYCHA will only become more dangerous to residents as they take refuge from COVID-19 within their apartments and may significantly increase the likelihood that NYCHA residents will face a heightened risk of exposure to the virus. As of last May 11th – the most recent data available – 1,241 NYCHA residents had died as a result of the virus.

As is evident from that stark figure, residents in NYCHA developments have already been severely impacted by this pandemic. In the earliest weeks between March 1 and May 11, more than 7,800 NYCHA residents tested positive for the virus. The toll was particularly devastating for NYCHA residents living in the agency’s senior-only housing, including developments where infection rates reached more than 7 cases per 100 residents such as Middletown Plaza, the converted Public School 139, Upaca (Site 5), and East 152 ST-Courtland Ave. What we know for sure is that COVID does, in fact, discriminate and is much more likely to infect older people and people of color, both high-risk groups that are prevalent in NYCHA developments across the five boroughs.

To help assure that all possible steps are taken to safeguard NYCHA tenants this winter, pursuant to my office’s authority under Chapter 5 of the City Charter, I hereby request that you provide the specific information requested below in writing to my office by no later than November 9, 2020:

1. Ventilation systems: NYCHA’s ventilation systems, including those in 240 developments using mechanical exhaust roof fans, are notoriously prone to breaking down and fail to provide the indoor airflow that is necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and conditions like asthma. Indeed, all but two of NYCHA’s 41 exclusively senior developments have old, defunct ventilation systems.  Ventilation issues are particularly acute in buildings that are included in the Metro Industrial Area Foundation lawsuit over mold issues – issues exacerbated by the slow pace of plans, now years behind schedule, to replace some 10,000 roof fans. We now face a scenario where residents in every single building that has yet to have these fans replaced could be at greater risk.
   • What steps are being taken to modernize air ventilation systems in each NYCHA facility?
   • Please provide the timeline for completion of any modernization work on the ventilation systems, by building.
2. “Second Wave” Precautions: As COVID-19 rates rise above summer levels, NYCHA must take every possible precaution to protect its residents and workers against a second wave of the virus. Providing adequate PPE, sanitizing highly trafficked areas, and delivering food to residents all can help to reduce risk and save lives.
   • What steps is NYCHA taking to ensure its residents and workers are adequately equipped to cope with any outbreaks or clusters of COVID-19 linked to a NYCHA building and to defend against rising rates of transmission?
   • Please describe any specific programs and procedures established to address NYCHA’s needs in the event of a “second wave” of the virus.
3. Elevators: Crowding — and, as a result, viral spread — are increased when elevators break down. In September alone, there were over 3,600 elevator outages in NYCHA buildings.vi These outages often force residents to cram into a smaller number of available, functional elevators, which in turn can thwart social distancing guidelines.
   • What steps are being taken to ensure the reliability of all elevators in NYCHA developments?
   • Please provide is the timeline for the completion of any elevator improvement activities described in response to the question above by building?
4. Heating & Boilers: Ensuring reliable heating must also be an absolute priority for NYCHA during a winter when residents can be expected to be regularly confined to their apartments due to COVID-19 restrictions. Last year, just between October and December, more than 134,000 NYCHA residents lost heat as a result of 322 separate outages. This winter is expected to begin with an early season chill that will lower temperatures and is very likely to see more snow that last year’s near-record low. The annual deluge of sudden heating outages that strike residents every holiday season must not occur this year, and it is my hope that the Heat Action Plan adopted by the agency in December 2019 can begin to make a real difference in the lives of residents.
   • What steps are being taken to replace old boilers and to upgrade heating systems in all NYCHA developments?
   • Please provide the timeline for completion of the work described in response to the question above by building?
5. Mold: Mold remains one of the most persistent problems throughout NYCHA, which is of particular concern amid the current pandemic as many conditions exacerbated by mold – including asthma – can complicate recovery from COVID-19. Having proper ventilation systems as discussed above is one critical strategy for eradicating mold, but there are other steps that could be taken to alleviate mold outbreaks.
   • What steps are being taken toward eradicating mold in all NYCHA developments?
   • Please provide the timeline for completion of the measures described above by building.

While I fully recognize the financial constraints now facing NYCHA, I also recognize that the agency has resources it can utilize in order to make critical capital improvements – including Hurricane Sandy-related funds still not spent some eight years after the superstorm battered the region. Indeed, a review by my office finds that, as of June 30th this year, NYCHA had been awarded $3.1 billion in FEMA grants yet has only spent approximately 59 percent of this amount, which could help repair leaky roofs, faulty heating systems, mold, and other capital needs that would help address the problems described above.  Furthermore, the Federal Government granted NYCHA over $300 million in Community Development Block Grant funding. As of the second quarter of this year, the agency had only spent 78 percent of the total allocation. These and other sources of capital dollars can be used to substantially improve conditions at NYCHA buildings and protect against future storms and floods and thereby help to protect its residents in the face of the continued threat of infection from COVID-19.

We are in the throes of a public health emergency that is testing all levels of government, requiring us to innovate daily. I urge you to protect the most vulnerable New Yorkers and expedite capital projects that can improve ventilation in developments, elevators, boilers and other mechanical systems as the weather turns cold. Thank you in advance for your prompt attention, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss these issues in greater detail.

Sincerely,

Scott M. Stringer

New York City Comptroller