Announcement Made at Rochester Housing, Community and Faith-Based Development Conference to Encourage More Housing, Increase Access to Services, and Revitalize Neighborhoods Throughout the Finger Lakes

Closed sales of residential properties in New York State grew by 8 percent in 2015 to reach 116,671, marking three consecutive years of sales exceeding the 100,000 mark, according to the annual housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The 2015 annual median sales price of $230,000 represents a 2.2-percent increase from 2014.

GILBOA—Workers put finishing touches Jan. 14 on a new communications tower at the New York Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project that will boost cellphone service in Schoharie County. The 260-foot tower, near the project’s upper reservoir, replaces a smaller one used to communicate equipment readings to the hydroelectric plant below. It is the centerpiece of an agreement between NYPA and Verizon to improve cellular communications along the Route 30 corridor, between the towns of Middleburgh and Grand Gorge.

Senators Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and Mayor Rich Thomas (D-Mount Vernon) on Monday unveiled “The Great American Bank Robbery,” a distressing report detailing the over $19 million dollar price tag that neglected, bank-owned and zombie properties cost communities throughout Westchester

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a settlement with several subsidiaries of the publicly-traded conglomerate Africa Israel Investments Limited that requires the developer to complete 15 Broad Street in Manhattan, which has been stalled for nearly a decade and surrender control of the building to the condominium owners, to resolve defect claims at three condominiums in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and to pay $2 million to New York City to compensate for improper receipt of tax benefits.

Reports on PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the National Venture Capital Association’s analysis of Venture Capital funding indicate that $5.95 billion of venture-capital funding was invested in New York City companies in 2015, up 62 percent from the $3.67 billion invested in 2014. In total, there were 395 venture-capital deals in 2015, up from 367 the previous year.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $26.3 million in grants and interest-free loans to support seven vital environmental improvement projects across the state. "Today we are continuing to revitalize local infrastructure and improve communities across the state," said Governor Cuomo.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Health (DOH) today called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to add the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation McCaffrey Street Plant and other possible sources of contamination in Hoosick Falls to the National Priorities List (NPL) under the federal Superfund program and to undertake a full environmental investigation to address the sources of contamination.

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Vicki Been, and New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Gary Rodney today announced the selection of a team to develop a site located at St. Ann’s Avenue and East 142nd Street in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx. The designated team, led by The Community Builders, Inc., was selected through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Mark G. Peters announced today the convictions and sentencing of a contractor, Baldlev Singh, who with his brother Avtar Singh, also operated as labor brokers, for underpaying and stealing wages from workers on New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) public works projects.

The December 2015 Survey of Consumer Expectations (SCE)results indicate that median expected growth in household income, earnings and especially household spending all declined. Labor market expectations are mixed compared to last month: Perceived layoff risk declined, but the perceived likelihood of finding a new job (if one were to lose their job today) also declined, although it remained at the high end of the range recorded since the inception of the survey

Ulster County Executive Mike Hein and Youth Bureau Director Evelyn Clarke announce the Ulster County Youth Bureau is accepting Request for Applications for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Youth Development grants. The Ulster County Youth Bureau administers the Youth Development Program (YDP) and Runaway & Homeless Shelter (RHYA) funding from OCFS and Ulster County to support youth programs.

Right Now, Individuals With Disabilities Who Might Need Help With Everyday Tasks Such as Eating, Dressing, Bathing, Maintaining Meds & More Are Not Given the Option to Live In the Setting of Their Choosing; Schumer Says This Denies People With Disabilities the Freedom to Live Independently

Robust policy package addresses education, housing, jobs and quality-of-life for all New Yorkers Albany, NY– January 8, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The Independent Democratic Conference released the New...

In a joint announcement, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer and New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) Commissioner Steven Banks unveiled today an overhaul of how the City manages and oversees vendors providing a range of housing services to HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) clients, following the release of an audit which found significant weaknesses in HRA’s operations that potentially put vulnerable New Yorkers at risk.

Governor Cuomo announced New York will participate in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Ready Vets training program, which will provide military personnel stationed at Fort Drum, NY with technical skills to obtain jobs in the growing solar industry after they transition from active service. This is the first Solar Ready Vets training cohort in New York, and just the eighth offered at military installations in the U.S. The inaugural New York-based class under the program will begin on January 11

Senators Jeff Klein (D-Bronx Westchester) and Diane Savino (D-SI/Brooklyn), stood with victims and housing advocates today to unveil “The Great American Bank Robbery,” a distressing report detailing the multi-million dollar price tag abandoned and vacant properties cost communities throughout New York City. Joined by foreclosure and legal advocates, they called for a two-step legislative plan to hold banks accountable while ensuring that decaying properties are maintained.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today issued an Executive Order to protect homeless individuals from inclement winter weather where temperatures decline to 32 degrees or below. The order will ensure that homeless individuals are directed to shelter during inclement winter weather which can cause hypothermia, serious injury and death.

With cold weather entering the region, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano reminds residents that Warm Bed, Nassau County’s Emergency Shelter Relief Program, is open to assist homeless individuals and families during the winter months. Yesterday, Governor Cuomo issued an Executive Order that directs homeless individuals to shelter during inclement winter weather which can cause hypothermia, serious injury and death.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced the reallocation of more than $6 million in unused funds to extend incentives available for solar projects in certain NY-Sun Solar Megawatt (MW) Block programs.

If you have already received a Regular HEAP benefit for the 2015-2016 HEAP season, you may be eligible for another benefit under the Emergency component of HEAP. Regular component benefits must be exhausted first to be eligible for the heating emergencies component for eligible households.

NYSERDA Seeks Proposals for Power Generation Projects Leading to Cleaner Energy Production and Reductions in Greenhouse Gases Demonstrations will advance the Reforming the Energy Vision Strategy to Build a Clean, Resilient and Affordable Energy System for all New Yorkers

Standing at the Sibley Building, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today visited Rochester and announced that he has helped secure $42.5 million in federal New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) that were needed to greenlight the multi-phase $200 million redevelopment of the Sibley Building into a vibrant downtown hub for photonics spin-offs, high tech businesses, new shops, and tenants.

The New York Power Authority Board of Trustees has approved a budget for the 2016 fiscal year that enables the nation’s largest state-owned utility to bolster its profile in renewable energy and upgrade its electricity infrastructure while working through the challenges presented by lower energy prices.

Standing outside of SolarCity’s new solar panel manufacturing site currently under construction in Buffalo, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) discussed the recently approved extension of the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and the impact it will have on Western New York