Monthly Archives: October 2015

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced three new NY Green Bank deals which will allow private sector partners to provide and improve access to cleaner and more affordable energy for their residential, commercial and agricultural customers

Occupancy draws near to 100% this month at the newly opened Wales Avenue Residence in the South Bronx. The new building, with stepped massing echoing the two populations housed within, is a seven story masonry bearing wall construction featuring a sophisticated gray brick facade accented with lively blue glazed brick, metal panels and large windows in each unit.

Win, one of the largest nonprofits serving homeless women and their families in New York City, was joined today by New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Vicki Been, New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Gary Rodney, and partners to break ground on a new affordable housing development in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood

Overall consumer distress rates in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are lower than those in the nation, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s latest Regional Household Debt and Credit Snapshots. The 27 different Snapshots include data about mortgages, student loans, credit cards, auto loans and delinquencies for New York City (including a separate view of each of its boroughs), as well as various metro areas in New York State, northern New Jersey and western Connecticut that make up the Federal Reserve’s Second District

Consumer expectations in the September 2015 Survey of Consumer Expectations (SCE) show relatively stable median consumer inflation expectations at both the short and long term horizon.

Governor Cuomo announced the approval of two North Country energy projects that will help improve the reliability of electricity transmission in the region and throughout the state. “These projects will help create a modern, more reliable and more resilient power grid for the North Country and New York as a whole," Governor Cuomo said. "This administration has taken significant steps to rebuild this state’s energy infrastructure and we remain committed to creating one of the most innovative power grids in the country."

Standing at Tioga Opportunities Inc. in Owego, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to immediately provide New York the maximum amount of funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The state-of-the art modern upgrades and repairs to the100-unit Mitchell-Lama development will keep the apartments affordable for another 40 years. Woodrow Wilson Townhomes is one of the first Mitchell Lama renovation projects completed as part of the Governor’s $1 billion House New York plan to create and preserve more than 14,300 affordable homes across the State

The New York Power Authority, partnering with New York City, has upgraded the lighting system at the Staten Island Zoo and Staten Island Museum. The $280,000 energy efficiency project will save the city nearly $30,000 in annual energy costs and remove 110 tons of harmful greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere every year. The energy-saving LED fixtures are closer to natural light, giving new life to the museum exhibits.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $84,000 to three New York City organizations working to address environmental contamination in their communities. The grants were awarded under the EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, which supports and empowers communities working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner James S. Rubin, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Vicki Been, Settlement Housing Fund President Alexa Sewell celebrated the start of construction of a mixed-income 11-story complex at 1561 Walton Avenue in the Mt. Eden neighborhood of the Bronx. As a result, sixty households, including nine for homeless individuals, will have quality affordable housing, including on-site supportive services provided for the formerly homeless.

Signs “Under 2 MOU” Reaffirming Pledge to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions 40% by 2030 And 80% by 2050. Directs State Agencies to Work with California and Other Jurisdictions to Develop a Broad North American Carbon Market. Commits To Bringing Solar to 150,000 Homes and Business and Installing Clean, Renewable Energy at Every SUNY Campus by 2020

Governor Cuomo announced that two of the New York metropolitan region’s most iconic structures – the George Washington Bridge and the spire on One World Trade Center – will glow pink tonight, October 6, to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women in New York State.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that 1366 Technologies, a manufacturer of technologies for the solar energy industry, will establish its first large commercial Direct Wafer™production plant and significantly grow its workforce at the high-tech Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in Alabama, Genesee County. Construction of the manufacturing facility will require two phases during which the company will create at least 600 new, full-time jobs over the next five years. 1366 expects to eventually create more than 1,000 new jobs in Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that 1366 Technologies, a manufacturer of technologies for the solar energy industry, will establish its first large commercial Direct Wafer™ production plant and significantly grow its workforce at the high-tech Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in Alabama, Genesee County.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), and the Ali Forney Center (AFC) announced three new federal grants to help continue AFC’s important work serving homeless youth in New York City, an estimated 40% of which identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ). Combined, the more than $1 million in federal grants will provide critical resources to AFC, which works with LGBTQ homeless youth on a range of issues, including domestic and sexual violence, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

An eleven-count indictment was unsealed today in United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York charging David Gotterup, also known as “David Gott,” and Jason Green with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and bank fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud homeowners who were attempting to modify their mortgage loans, and related mail fraud counts.

More than one in twelve dwellings in New York City – a total of 272,533 homes – are crowded, according to “Hidden Households,” a new report released today by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. All told, that means that a total of 1,476,746 New York residents lived in a crowded or severely crowded dwelling in 2013, at a ratio of 5.42 persons per crowded household

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized its changes to a cleanup plan originally issued in 1996 to address soil and groundwater at the AVX property at the Olean Well Field Superfund Site in Cattaraugus County, Olean, NY. Soil and groundwater at the AVX property located at 1695 Seneca Avenue are contaminated with volatile organic compounds, which are often found in paint, solvents, aerosol sprays, cleaners, disinfectants, automotive products and dry cleaning fluids

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized its changes to a cleanup plan originally issued in 1996 to address soil and groundwater at the AVX property at the Olean Well Field Superfund Site in Cattaraugus County, Olean, NY. Soil and groundwater at the AVX property located at 1695 Seneca Avenue are contaminated with volatile organic compounds, which are often found in paint, solvents, aerosol sprays, cleaners, disinfectants, automotive products and dry cleaning fluids.

In response to a question from Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) during a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee, Director Richard Cordray this week said that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will consider issuing a clarification to ensure co-ops are included in the CFPB’s new Integrated Disclosure rule for mortgages.

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today announced that $7.9 million is being awarded to The Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse to construct 128 units of permanent supportive housing in Onondaga County. The announcement was made during the grand opening of the Rescue Mission’s 183-bed homeless shelter, which was constructed with a $3.4 million grant from OTDA, and highlighted as part of Governor Cuomo’s “Capital for a Day” in Central New York

I want to thank Chairman Torres for calling this hearing on the New York City Housing Authority, and for inviting me to testify. And I want to thank members of the Committee on Public Housing and the Committee on Contracts for being here.

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Vicki Been reminds residential building owners of their legal obligation to provide tenants with hot water year-round and heat when the outdoor temperature warrants it. The 2015-2016 “heat season” begins today, October 1st, and continues through May 31st 2016.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner James S. Rubin, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Vicki Been, Settlement Housing Fund President Alexa Sewell celebrated the start of construction of a mixed-income 11-story complex at 1561 Walton Avenue in the Mt. Eden neighborhood of the Bronx. As a result, sixty households, including nine for homeless individuals, will have quality affordable housing, including on-site supportive services provided for the formerly homeless