FCC Rules That Promote More High-Speed Internet Access Are Threatened; Senator Says, If Approved, Internet Under New Standard Will Be Like Driving Tractor Instead Of A Trans Am And Calls For More Federal Investment In Broadband Infrastructure

The Office of General Services Commissioner today announced that the following six businesses have recently been certified by the Office of General Services’ (OGS) Division of Service-Disabled Veterans’ Business Development (DSDVBD)

Bronx Point will deliver up to 1,000 units of housing, including hundreds of units of deeply affordable housing, world-class open space on the Harlem River Waterfront, cultural destinations and will create over 150 permanent jobs and over 1,200 construction jobs

New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner RoAnn M. Destito today announced a public auction for approximately 50 acres of state-owned farmland on State Farm Road in the town of Kinderhook, Columbia County will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 9. Complete details, including photos, legal and reference documents, and auction requirements can be found online at www.nysstore.com by clicking on “Real Estate Auctions.”

Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) joined Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa) to introduce legislation which will strengthen public-private partnerships and boost investment in America’s infrastructure. The Move America Act will expand private activity bonds and infrastructure tax credits, which will attract billions of dollars in capital and give state and local governments greater flexibility to fund critical infrastructure projects.

Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) and local officials condemned a decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs to deny an anticipated annual federal investment of over $500,000 to Hudson River Housing. If no action is taken, funding will run out and the program will be terminated after September 30th

State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia today announced that visitors to Albany will have the opportunity to take free tours of both the State Education Building and the Capitol on every Saturday, beginning on October 7, due to the overwhelming popularity of Saturday tours that were being offered once a month.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $12,911,499 in federal funding for communities across NY and relaunched their push to call on President Trump, who completely decimated the programs in the recent White House FY18 budget proposal.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced more than $11.4 million in state funding for three supportive housing developments in Buffalo and Brooklyn. The projects will create or preserve 80 units of housing for homeless New Yorkers supported by funding from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.

In the toughest action to date, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, is calling for Wells Fargo to be excluded from participation in the federal mortgage guarantee program following a disturbing, recurring pattern of consumer fraud. Higgins made the request in a letter to the Federal Housing Administration

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $99,500 in federal funding for the Village of Waterloo in Seneca County. The funding was allocated through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Business Development Grant program. Specifically, the Village of Waterloo will use the funding to replace the pressure relief valve at the PRV station on River Road. The Village of Waterloo will also work closely with the Towns of Geneva, Junius, Phelps, and Tyre

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer announces plans to transform the historic Greenpoint Hospital site into a new affordable housing development. The agency today issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) seeking proposals for the design, construction, and management of a high quality, sustainable, mixed-use, mixed-income project on 3.4-acres in the Greenpoint-Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.

On Thursday, August 24, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, joined New York Housing Conference, affordable housing advocates, and residents for a walking tour of Scheuer Gardens, a 116-unit senior housing development in the Bronx. Following the tour, Crowley led a roundtable discussion to raise awareness of the importance of federal investments in affordable housing and highlight the need for senior developments like Scheuer Gardens.

Amid a national rental affordability crisis, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) announced his introduction of the bipartisan First Time Homeowner Savings Plan Act. The bill will allow Americans to withdraw up to $25,000 from their IRA for the purchase of their first home without being penalized when they file their taxes. Experts agree that homeownership is one of the best ways for middle class Americans to save for retirement

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $500,000 in federal funding for the Village of Monticello. The funding, allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Main Street program, helps support affordable housing and rejuvenate older, downtown business districts while retaining the area's traditional and historic character.

The New York Department of State will hold a public meeting on Thursday, September 28, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., regarding the real estate appraisal profession. The meeting will take place at the following locations: 99 Washington Avenue, Albany; 65 Court Street, Buffalo; and, 123 William Street, New York City. The public has the right to attend the meeting at any of these locations

“Through this plan, Downtown Far Rockaway is finally getting the investment it deserves, with new jobs and mixed-income housing, open space and community facilities. We are proud to have collaborated with Council Member Richards and community leaders to develop a vision for a more vibrant and equitable Downtown Far Rockaway, and to now make that vision a reality.”

Congressman Tom Reed announced that C-S Canal Hydro, LLC, in Waterloo, New York, is the recipient of a Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency grant for $99,500 for the purchase and installation of a trash rake at a Hydroelectric facility.

Representatives from the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. joined Radson Development and project partners to celebrate the start of construction of Martin Luther King Plaza (MLK Plaza), a brand new 167-unit affordable housing development located at 869 East 147thStreet in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx.

Mayor Richard C. David today announced the completion of a 10-unit homeless veterans housing project at 27 Pine St. in Binghamton, the latest effort of Mayor David’s Blue Ribbon Commission to End Veteran Homelessness.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the state's new $7.6 million Community Restoration Fund has purchased the mortgages for 398 homes in a strategic effort to bring owners in targeted communities out of foreclosure and keep the homes from abandonment through renovation and resale where necessary. This approach is part of the Governor's overall strategy to support homeowners, stabilize neighborhoods and prevent Zombie properties across New York State

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer announces an update on the progress made to improve conditions at the buildings included on the tenth annual Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP) list.  Since the 2017 AEP list was released in February, 138 buildings have improved conditions and met the criteria for discharge from the program. The AEP list identifies 250 distressed multifamily residential buildings with HPD violations and allows for enhanced enforcement, which includes roof to cellar inspections, fees, and an AEP Order to Correct the underlying conditions of the HPD violations.  These enhanced enforcement tools are used to improve living conditions for each building’s residents

Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo today announced that Mortgage Research Center, LLC, doing business as VAMortgage Center and/or Veterans United Home Loans, will pay approximately $604,000 in restitution to New York consumers, primarily veterans, as part of a consent order entered into with the Department of Financial Services (DFS).

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand today announced $2.2 million in federal funding for six projects aimed at improving the economy in Upstate New York. The funding was allocated through the Northern Border Regional Commission’s (NBRC) Economic & Infrastructure Development Investment Program to support infrastructure projects and other initiatives that create jobs, support entrepreneurs, and strengthen the economy in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Clinton, Oswego, and Madison counties.