The New York State Department of Labor today released October 2015 jobs numbers for the City of New York. According to the numbers, New York City's unemployment rate has reached its lowest level since August 2006, dropping a full four tenths of a percentage point since last month from 5.2 percent to 4.8 percent, putting it below the national unemployment rate for the first time since June 2011.

The City’s 15,000 unit plan is comprised of roughly 7,500 newly-constructed, congregate units and 7,500 scattered site units. The plan will cost $2.6 billion in capital funds over the next 15 years to develop the 7,500 congregate units. Of the total capital costs, approximately $1 billion will be a City cost – and all but $380 million has already been budgeted through Housing New York.

New York Cares is seeking thousands of generous New Yorkers to sign up to grant 42,000 Winter Wishes, a program that helps to provide holiday gifts to underprivileged children, teens, and seniors who otherwise might go without. The deadline for volunteers to sign up is Wednesday, November 25, 2015. In order to grant all Winter Wishes, New York Cares is encouraging organizations and groups of friends to claim multiple requests so that all of our neighbors seeking holiday joy receive it

The Long Island Sound Futures Fund grants will reach more than 130,000 citizens through environmental and conservation programs, allow nearly 1.7 million gallons of water to be treated through water quality improvement projects, and leverage $2.1 million from the grantees themselves, resulting in $3.4 million in funding for on-the-ground, hands-on conservation projects in both states.

The development will include five, two-story residential buildings with 48 apartments. A separate community building will house a maintenance garage, laundry room, and Veterans Administration service delivery office. Twenty-five units will be set aside for veterans eligible for benefits from the Canandaigua VA Medical Center who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and their dependents.

Households may also be eligible for an emergency benefit if they are in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off. Applications for emergency benefits will be accepted beginning Monday, January 4, 2016. Households facing an energy emergency should call their local department of social services for assistance.

Current West Point Waste Water Treatment Plant Was Built Nearly 60 Years Ago & Has Not Been Updated Since 1972; Suffers From Leaking Tanks That Are Beyond Repair And In Need Of An Upgrade – West Point Will Now Be Able To Replace Old, Deteriorating Water Plant

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency’s (IDA) approval of an economic development compact for a proposed $77 million transit-oriented apartment project in downtown Mineola. The project is expected to provide much-needed new rental options in the County and provide a boost to businesses in downtown Mineola and western Nassau

The development is a partnership with New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Rochester Housing Authority, The Finger Lakes Addictions Counseling & Referral Agency, Inc., Geneva Housing Authority, and the Canandaigua Veterans Administration

Specifically, $590,957 in HUD-VASH project-based vouchers will go to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and $579,240 in HUD-VASH project-based vouchers for the New York Housing Preservation and Development. Schumer said that according to HUD, there were 1,645 homeless veterans in the New York City area last year. Schumer explained that these HUD-VASH project-based vouchers will help provide much-needed rental assistance to at-risk veterans in the New York City area.

More than 20 applicants were assisted in the home buying process under the same program during Fiscal Years 2013-14. To be eligible, an applicant must be a first-time homeowner having not owned a home during the three years immediately prior to purchasing a residence with HOME assistance funds and must occupy the property as a principal residence

Therefore, Schumer is pushing to pass sweeping legislation that will encourage landlords to rent to veterans, modify the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program that sells foreclosed homes to veterans, and deliver grants to organizations that support formerly homeless veterans, among many other initiatives aimed at ending veteran homelessness.

Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and JEMB Realty today announced a brand new commercial development that will bring 400,000 square feet of new office and retail space to 420 Albee Square in Brooklyn’s Tech Triangle.

Lefkowitz was arraigned on the count indictment today before the Honorable Anthony F. Aloi in Onondaga County Court who set bail in the amount of 10,000 cash or bond. Lefkowitz was charged with Forgery in the Second Degree, a Class D felony, in violation of Penal Law §170.10(1) (4 counts

Schumer explained that the LWCF protects public lands for conservation and recreation, helps state and local communities build parks and recreation facilities, and invests in voluntary conservation on private lands. It has been used to fund projects in every single county in the U.S., including many across New York State

New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) Executive Director Anthony L. Marchetta recently joined local officials and community leaders for the grand opening of? Nelson House Washington Hall Condominiums, a 30-unit affordable housing community located on 183-187 East Broadway, Salem City.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a settlement with Lowe’s Home Center, LLC, which has 64 retail locations in New York State, over allegations of deceptive sales practices for flooring installations. The agreement provides cash refunds of up to 10% of per-square-foot basic flooring installation fees charged to over 16,000 New York consumers and establishes new disclosure guidelines relating to “per square foot” installation charges.

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,947,000 in federal funding for the Town of Mexico in Central New York. The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Waste and Water Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The Town of Mexico will receive a grant amount of $462,000 and an additional loan of $1,485,000 to design and cover the costs of a new water district, Water Service Area #3, to provide safe and reliable water for residents living in the town.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today that a coalition of 25 states, cities and counties led by his office filed a motion to intervene to defend the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s “Clean Power Plan” against legal challenge. The coalition’s motion to intervene in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit responds to suits that several states and industry groups have filed challenging the rule.

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

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).