Yearly Archives: 2017

New York State Homes and Community Renewal joined Selfhelp Community Services, Broadway Mosholu LLC, Enterprise Community Partners, local leaders and project partners to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the $26.4 million Van Cortlandt Green, an affordable housing development for low and middle-income seniors in the Riverdale community of the Bronx.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a more than $3 million expansion of Confer Plastics, a molded plastics product company located in North Tonawanda, Niagara County. The investment allows the firm to create 35 new jobs and significantly expand production in Western New York

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced nearly $4.4 million in funds to construct, rehabilitate and improve the homes of 170 income-eligible families across New York. The funds are awarded through New York State Homes and Community Renewal's Affordable Home Ownership Development Program, administered by the Affordable Housing Corporation. More than 8,800 homes under this administration have been created or made safer and more affordable with approximately $170 million in Affordable Housing Corporation awards

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees has approved allocations of low-cost hydropower to manufacturers in Niagara County and St. Lawrence County. Together, the power allocations will support $5.2 million in capital investments and create 41 jobs

Rising 10-percent above last year’s housing market, closed sales of residential properties set a new high-water mark of 130,486 in New York State during 2016, according to the annual housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price also grew by 2.2 percent in 2016 to reach $235,000.

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Vicki Been announces the start of the 2017 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (HVS). The survey is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau at the request of the City of New York about every three years. The survey is required by State and City rent-regulation laws to determine New York City’s overall vacancy rate for rental housing.

The New York Power Authority’s Board of Trustees and the Canal Corporation’s Board of Directors will hold a joint meeting, via video conference, on Tuesday, January 31, at NYPA’s White Plains administrative office building,123 Main Street, in the 16th floor board room. The meeting will start at approximately 10 a.m., immediately following NYPA’s Board of Trustees and NYS Canal Corporation Board of Directors’ joint meeting at approximately 8:45 a.m.

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney announced that the Trump Administration plans to include Phases 2 and 3 of the Second Avenue Subway in its list of infrastructure building priorities. An unconfirmed leaked copy of the list estimates that $14.2 billion could be allocated for the project. Maloney spoke directly with the Trump team earlier this week, and was repeatedly assured by individuals who worked on creating the list that Phase 2 and Phase 3 are part of the plan. When completed, Phase 2 will run from 96th Street and 2nd Avenue up to 125th Street, and Phase 3 will go from 62nd Street down to Houston Street. Congresswoman Maloney, a long time champion of the Second Avenue Subway, has been pressing Congress and the Trump Administration to include the next phases of the Second Avenue Subway in any infrastructure priority lists being developed

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY) released the following statement today after President Trump signed a new executive order. “It’s unconscionable that President Trump would close the door to the desperate children, families, and elderly who have been forced to flee their homes and countries because of unspeakable acts of violence and war.

“We, as a city, are defined by how we treat our kids. We aren’t living in a fair city when my kids come home to a safe household every night while thousands of others, in the greatest city on the planet, are living in some of the most deplorable, dangerous conditions imaginable.

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and Housing Development Corporation (HDC) today announced plans to transform an underutilized New York Police Department (NYPD) parking garage in Jamaica, Queens into an approximately 450,000 square foot mixed-use development that will include over 350 units of 100% affordable housing, recreational and commercial/retail space, which will generate hundreds of good-paying construction and permanent jobs.

The Northern New York Power Proceeds Allocation Board met for the first time today as it seeks to boost the St. Lawrence County economy by providing funding to businesses and other enterprises using money from New York Power Authority electricity sales

Despite his self-professed expertise on the topic and grandiose pronouncements as the homelessness crisis in New York reached record levels, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has racked up a series of staggering homeless policy failures in recent years

Senators Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), Diane Savino (D-SI/Brooklyn), Avella (D-Queens), Alcantara (D-Manhattan), Hamilton (D-Brooklyn) and Jose Peralta (D-Queens), joined by advocates, released an investigative report detailing deplorable conditions at New York City hotels and cluster sites used for the homeless and called for a five-point legislative solution to the homelessness crisis.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a lawsuit against STAR Exemption Advisor, YCA Corp. and its business owner Arie Gal, for allegedly scamming thousands of new homeowners out of at least $1.5 million by charging them excessive fees to enroll them in the Basic STAR Exemption Program, which is otherwise free.  The lawsuit, filed in Nassau County Supreme Court, seeks to provide full restitution to all those affected, and a complete accounting to identify all consumers who are entitled to such refunds. The lawsuit also seeks additional costs, damages, and to permanently enjoin the respondents from marketing any Basic Star rebate or property tax reduction services within the State of New York

According to results from a Homeownership Poll conducted by the Siena Research Institute (SRI), 84 percent of New York voters supported the NY First Home proposal that would create a tax-free savings account to help New Yorkers save for a first home. Support for the program was bi-partisan and spread across the entire state

“The uncertainty surrounding future policy decisions by the Trump administration and the Republican Congress presents real risks to our City budget. My office conducted an analysis outlining potential Federal cuts—and I’m concerned many critical areas could be affected. From affordable housing to programs that support at-risk children, our social safety net could be fundamentally changed by backwards policies from Washington. We believe that whatever the White House and the Republican Congress do, our City must protect its most vulnerable residents.

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of a 58,000 square foot site in Long Island City, Queens. Activation of this underutilized site represents a unique opportunity to deck over a below-grade rail yard and create vibrant mixed-use, mixed-income housing development above with open space, community facilities and neighborhood retail.

The New York Power Authority has completed construction on a new winter mooring site for its ice boom tugboat and barge at the extreme northern end of the First Buffalo Marina on Furman Street.

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Vicki Been and New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Eric Enderlin today announced the release of Housing New York: Three Years of Progress, describing the inroads made towards the goals of the Mayor’s housing plan. The new report comes on the heels of the Mayor’s announcement last week that his Administration financed more affordable housing in 2016 than in any time in the past 25 years.

32BJ announced today that its members have endorsed State Senator Bill Perkins in the special election for City Council District 9 based on his record of fighting for good jobs, affordable housing and immigrant rights

Tom Reed continues his efforts to support local infrastructure with the announcement of two major grants for water infrastructure systems in Chautauqua County. “We care about helping our local communities improve their water systems because it bolsters the regional economy, lightens the burden for local taxpayers and protects our environment,” said Reed. “These grants will have a major positive impact in not only the communities, but the entire Great Lakes watershed. It’s only right that we remain committed to these types of critical investments going forward.”

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that, after his push, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has signed off on a major refinancing agreement for Chelsea’s Penn South Co-Op, which will help ensure the development remains affordable for an extended period. Earlier this month, Schumer called on OMB to swiftly review and make the decisions necessary to approve the development’s efforts in refinancing its property

The New York Power Authority today announced it will help municipalities secure state-funded rebates to install charging stations in an effort to support Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s push to expand the use of electric vehicles.

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced Maria Torres-Springer will serve as the next Commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development when its current commissioner, Vicki Been, returns to teaching at New York University. The mayor is also appointing James Patchett as President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.