Newsfeed Category: New York City

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Best Practices for Responding to Federal ICE Raids

Sep.19.2019

The Trump administration ramped up its attack on immigrants this summer, announcing plans to fast-track deportations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and arrests, including in New York City. Last month, for the first time since Trump’s election, ICE tried to raid a homeless shelter. On the evening of August 6th, ICE attempted to enter Win’s East New York shelter with just a photo of the person they wanted to detain. Thankfully, Win’s security guards knew their rights. When the ICE agent failed to produce a judge-signed warrant, they were denied entry.

Let’s make sure our entire community knows our rights and protects our undocumented and immigrant clients, tenants, and neighbors. Security, providers, clients, and tenants can be prepared for ICE showing up to their shelter or residences, and to support anyone who may be living in fear of deportation. 

Win Welcomes 17 Families to New Housing on the Upper East Side

Aug.27.2019

A balmy morning on August 20th found local, city, and state representatives; civic association leaders; church reverends and other supporters joining Network member Win to celebrate a new supportive housing residence on the Upper East Side. Come this fall, the residence will welcome 17 formerly homeless women and their children.

1880 Boston Road Opens to Senior Residents in the Bronx

Aug.23.2019

Under a gorgeous summer sky on August 5th, new residents, supporters, and local community officials gathered with Network member Hebrew Home at Riverdale to celebrate new housing in the Bronx. An addition to an existing building, the residence meets a deep need for affordable and supportive housing by providing 167 affordable units for extremely low-income seniors, including 51 supportive units for those who have previously experienced homelessness.

Hebrew Home at Riverdale is providing the on-site social services for residents, as well as referrals to off-site medical and social services.

Guest Blog: Nixon Peabody on Mod Rehab and Rental Assistance Demonstration

Jul.22.2019

By Deborah VanAmerongen and Nate Cushman

For owners of properties with Moderate Rehabilitation Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contracts, conversion through Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) is an underutilized opportunity. In New York City, the Mod Rehab contracts are administered by NYC Housing and Preservation Department (HPD). There are other local housing agencies throughout New York State that also administer these contracts. There have been significant changes to Mod Rehab conversions under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) RAD since the program was created, and if you have not reviewed your RAD options lately, it may be time to revisit them. There may be an opportunity to increase the property’s cash flow, revitalize its physical condition, and even take out funds to serve your organization’s mission.

This high-level view will detail the advantages of the RAD conversion process and key points to bear in mind as you consider your transaction. Of course, the details of each transaction will affect what is possible for each property.

ICL Breaks Ground for Supportive Housing in Downtown Brooklyn

Jul.02.2019

On the stormy afternoon of June 20th, Institute for Community Living (ICL) celebrated the launch of construction for a new affordable and supportive housing residence at 50 Nevins Street in downtown Brooklyn.

David Woodlock, President/CEO of ICL, spoke about how ICL’s work there would extend the site’s history of providing New Yorkers with homes, “grounded in dignity and respect.”

Network Members Gather for Joint Con Edison and HPD Training

Jun.21.2019

On May 22nd, developers, architects, contractors, and other members of the affordable and supportive housing community gathered at Con Edison Headquarters to participate in a joint training with Con Edison and the Building and Land Development Services (BLDS) division of NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

NYS HCR Announces 2018 Unified Funding Awards

May.30.2019

On May 17th, NYS HCR announced its 2018 Unified Funding Awards. In addition to the three supportive housing projects funded in the early round announced in January, there were 15 projects awarded in the regular round, bringing the total number of supportive housing units to 484 — 22% of the total residential units funded. Network members are involved in 14 separate projects across the state.

The Network Testifies to NYCC on Critical Need for $20M DOHMH Scattered Site Funding

May.30.2019

For the second time this budget cycle, Network Executive Director Laura Mascuch testified to the immediate need for $20 million in funding in the FY 2020 City budget to ensure that 1,800 formerly homeless people don’t become homeless again. Testifying at the New York City Council Committee on Finance’s budget hearing, she thanked the Council for including the additional funding for DOHMH scattered site supportive housing in its initial budget and urged the Council to help ensure the ask makes it into the final budget. Besides the human cost of possibly making 1,800 households homeless again, the City would face approximately $69 million in added shelter costs if these individuals and families re-entered the shelter system.

Strong Relationships and Shared Values Star at S:US’ Housewarming in the Bronx

May.29.2019

Photo credit for photo at right: Diane Cho for HPD.

On May 14th, overcast skies were brightened by purple and yellow balloons greeting guests at Network member Services for the Underserved’s (S:US) housewarming at 2264 Morris Avenue in the Bronx. Government partners, local elected officials, and private supporters celebrated the completion of the 11-story, mixed-income building, co-developed by S:US and Bronx Pro Group. The building contains 94 units, including 31 units of supportive housing: 17 for at-risk young adults and 14 for formerly homeless adults with mental illness.

Residents at WSFSSH’s Borinquen Court Welcome New Neighbors in Tres Puentes Expansion

May.28.2019

On May 21st, Network member West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH) celebrated the completion of Tres Puentes. The project included a refurbishing of Borinquen Court, which continues to house 145 seniors and/or people with physical disabilities in the community, and the creation of two new buildings welcoming 175 new residents. The name “Tres Puentes” refers to the complex’s views of the Willis Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Third Avenue bridges nearby, but was heralded as the perfect name for the various relationships that made the project possible.

“The goal is not just buildings, but a place where people can truly live,” said Sheldon J. Fine, President of the WSFSSH Board of Directors, who began the speaking program in a large, lively room.