Yearly Archives: 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 3, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- With a pending winter storm, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced he has directed officials at the Assessment Review Commission (ARC) and Department of Assessment (DOA) to accept property tax assessment grievance filings until Friday, March 7

Albany, NY - February 21, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The New York State housing market started 2014 on solid footing with closed and pending sales falling minimally from the significant gains posted in January 2013, according to the housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price continued to grow as it did throughout 2013, posting a 10.1-percent increase compared to last January

ALBANY - February 21, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The New York Department of State will host a public meeting of the STATE FIRE PREVENTION AND BUILDING CODE COUNCIL on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will take place using videoconferencing at various locations. The public has the right to attend the meeting at any of the locations.

New York, NY - February 20, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that he is pushing to secure $36 million in federal funding to construct a series of off-shore breakwaters and a living shoreline along the coast of Conference House Park that will reduce the risk of damage to homes and infrastructure along the South Shore of Staten Island during major coastal storms. When Superstorm Sandy hit the South Shore of Staten Island in October 2012, lives were lost and thousands of homes were destroyed, which underscores the need for measures to prevent flooding and damage during future storms. The funding for this project would come from

Albany, NY - February 20, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today detailed his proposal to cut taxes for residents and businesses during a visit to Nassau Community College in Nassau County. As part of the Governor’s 2014-15 Executive Budget, the proposal continues the fiscal discipline of the past three years by holding spending increases to below two percent, while also reducing taxes by more than $2 billion by 2016-17

NEW YORK - February 19, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the sentencing of Applied Construction Inc., its owner, Mohammad T. Riaz, its manager, Mohammad Arshad, and two foremen, Zbigniew Lakomiec and Socrates “Tony” Carrera, for failing to pay prevailing wages to workers on a public works construction project at a residential building in the Bronx. The project was financed and overseen by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

NEW YORK - February 18, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- In its latest Household Debt and Credit Report, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York announced that outstanding household debt increased $241 billion from the previous quarter, the largest quarter over quarter increase since the third quarter of 2007. The increase was led primarily by a 1.9 percent increase in mortgage debt ($152 billion). In Q4 2013 total household indebtedness increased to $11.52 trillion; 2.1 percent higher than the previous quarter. Overall household debt remains 9.1 percent below the peak of $12.68 trillion in Q3 2008. The report is based on data from the New York Fed’s Consumer Credit Panel, a nationally representative sample drawn from anonymized Equifax credit data.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 17, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services for the State of New York, is delivering remarks today at the New York Bankers Association

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 17, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- With snow and frigid temperatures affecting Long Island, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that WARMBED,Nassau County’s Emergency Shelter Relief Program for homeless individuals and families during the winter months, is active. The Nassau County Winter Homeless Hotline operates 7 days a week and runs through March 31st, 2014. If winter conditions persist beyond March 31st, the program will continue until warmer weather arrives

ASHINGTON, D.C. - February 14, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced his effort to secure $10.1 million in federal funding for three critical infrastructure projects in the Capital Region that are in desperate need of repair: the Troy Seawall, the Amsterdam Dove Creek Wall, and the Cobleskill Water Supply project. Specifically, Schumer urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to swiftly approve funding for these three New York State high-priority Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications: the City of Troy needs $6.7 million from FEMA to begin the construction of its seawall stabilization project, which can begin in earnest next year if FEMA quickly approves the funds. The City of Amsterdam is seeking $1.1 million in federal funding for repair of the Dove Creek Wall, and the Town of Cobleskill is seeking $2.3 million for repairs to its water supply syst

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 14, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- In announcing the House’s pending vote on the Congressman’s legislation, Majority Leader Eric Cantor (VA-7) praised the Congressman’s steadfast efforts to drive flood insurance negotiations over the past several months. “I applaud Congressman Grimm’s constant leadership in bringing all sides together on this important issue. His tireless work to find a solution for the National Flood Insurance Program is a testament to his dedication to his constituents” said Leader Cantor

New York, NY - February 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $1.75 million in grants awarded to provide permanent supportive housing in New York City for homeless families struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol. This announcement builds on the Governor’s commitment to support community treatment opportunities, including supportive housing units for homeless families with members suffering from a chemical dependency. These funds are available through the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)

The Bronx, NY - February 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congressman José E. Serrano applauded BronxWorks, an organization in his community that changes lives and assists those in need with a variety of services. Serrano recently helped BronxWorks with a federal grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for their work, which will bring $1 million to the organization

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Preservation and Rehab of the United States Lace Curtain Mill factory has begun its first phase with environmental remediation. The project will create 55 units of affordable housing for artists in the City of Kingston and generate $18.3 million in regional economic activity, while retaining the unique architectural character of the building

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today highlighted the additional capital funding in the 2014-15 Executive Budget to make communities across the State more progressive by encouraging the creation of supportive housing for public assistance recipients and low-income households. The Executive Budget Proposal increases funding from the $30 million that was enacted in the 2013-14 Executive Budget to $63 million for the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP), which is administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).

Queens, NY - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- On Thursday, January 30th, U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx) joined An Angel in Queens Founder Jorge Muñoz to distribute meals to homeless and unemployed New Yorkers on Roosevelt Avenue and 73rd Street in Jackson Heights. Muñoz, a community leader in the battle against hunger, has served over 225,000 home-cooked meals since 2004. Just two days prior, Crowley hosted Muñoz at President Obama’s State of the Union address and recognized him for his commitment to helping communities in need.

Albany, NY - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today highlighted the additional capital funding in the 2014-15 Executive Budget to make communities across the State more progressive by encouraging the creation of supportive housing for public assistance recipients and low-income households. The Executive Budget Proposal increases funding from the $30 million that was enacted in the 2013-14 Executive Budget to $63 million for the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP), which is administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 3, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- With snow and frigid temperatures approaching Long Island, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that WARMBED,Nassau County’s Emergency Shelter Relief Program for homeless individuals and families during the winter months, is active. The Nassau County Winter Homeless Hotline operates 7 days a week and runs through March 31st, 2014. If winter conditions persist beyond March 31st, the program will continue until warmer weather arrives

Washington, DC - February 3, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that today, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act that she has co-sponsored to delay the most aggressive rate increases and fix major flaws in the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform law to make the National Flood Insurance Program affordable, accessible and self-sustainable. The bill, which also includes Gillibrand’s amendment that will help thousands of New York City homeowners whose homes are impossible to elevate reduce their flood risk and lower flood insurance rates, now heads to the House for a vote.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 31, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The maps show unequal lending patterns based on the racial composition of communities in New York City, controlling for the number of owner-occupied units in each neighborhood. New Yorkers who live in predominantly white neighborhoods on average receive twice as many conventional home purchase loans as New Yorkers who live in predominantly black or Latino neighborhoods, for every 100 owner-occupied housing units in the neighborhood.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 30, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, opposed the Farm Bill considered by the House earlier today because it would disproportionately impact New Yorkers, reducing nutritional assistance benefits $90 per month for approximately 12,530 households in Westchester and Rockland Counties and 300,000 statewide

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that her amendment to help thousands of New York City homeowners whose homes are impossible to elevate reduce their flood risk and lower flood insurance rates will be included in the bipartisan Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. The U.S. Senate unanimously approved her amendment today to be part of the latest flood insurance legislation and is set to vote on final passage of the bill tomorrow. Gillibrand’s amendment would help New York City and urban homeowners of buildings such as brownstones, brick buildings, and multi-family homes that are physically impossible to elevate to reduce their flood risk and lower their flood insurance rates.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 29, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE), released the following statement in reaction to President Obama’s call for housing finance reform in the 2014 State of the Union Address

Washington, DC - January 28, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- As the Senate gets ready to vote tonight to begin debate on a bill to delay flood insurance premiums, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced an amendment to the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which will help New York City and other urban homeowners of buildings such as brownstones, brick buildings, and multi-family homes that are physically impossible to elevate to reduce their flood risk and lower their flood insurance rates. Currently, the only way to reduce flood insurance premiums for homeowners living in flood-prone areas is to elevate their homes. But for thousands of New York homeowners who cannot elevate their properties due to its inherent structure, there are no federal guidelines in place to prevent a costly increase in their flood insurance rates

Newburgh, NY - January 27, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Representative Sean Patrick Maloney urged folks in the Hudson Valley to take precautions, and check on those who are most vulnerable during the recent dangerously cold temperatures. With freezing temperatures and winds plummeting temperatures to below zero for the next week, Rep. Maloney encouraged folks to be careful and take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our children, the elderly, and the homeless in need of emergency shelter