The state-of-the art modern upgrades and repairs to the100-unit Mitchell-Lama development will keep the apartments affordable for another 40 years. Woodrow Wilson Townhomes is one of the first Mitchell Lama renovation projects completed as part of the Governor’s $1 billion House New York plan to create and preserve more than 14,300 affordable homes across the State

The New York Power Authority, partnering with New York City, has upgraded the lighting system at the Staten Island Zoo and Staten Island Museum. The $280,000 energy efficiency project will save the city nearly $30,000 in annual energy costs and remove 110 tons of harmful greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere every year. The energy-saving LED fixtures are closer to natural light, giving new life to the museum exhibits.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $84,000 to three New York City organizations working to address environmental contamination in their communities. The grants were awarded under the EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, which supports and empowers communities working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner James S. Rubin, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Vicki Been, Settlement Housing Fund President Alexa Sewell celebrated the start of construction of a mixed-income 11-story complex at 1561 Walton Avenue in the Mt. Eden neighborhood of the Bronx. As a result, sixty households, including nine for homeless individuals, will have quality affordable housing, including on-site supportive services provided for the formerly homeless.

Signs “Under 2 MOU” Reaffirming Pledge to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions 40% by 2030 And 80% by 2050. Directs State Agencies to Work with California and Other Jurisdictions to Develop a Broad North American Carbon Market. Commits To Bringing Solar to 150,000 Homes and Business and Installing Clean, Renewable Energy at Every SUNY Campus by 2020

Governor Cuomo announced that two of the New York metropolitan region’s most iconic structures – the George Washington Bridge and the spire on One World Trade Center – will glow pink tonight, October 6, to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women in New York State.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that 1366 Technologies, a manufacturer of technologies for the solar energy industry, will establish its first large commercial Direct Wafer™production plant and significantly grow its workforce at the high-tech Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in Alabama, Genesee County. Construction of the manufacturing facility will require two phases during which the company will create at least 600 new, full-time jobs over the next five years. 1366 expects to eventually create more than 1,000 new jobs in Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that 1366 Technologies, a manufacturer of technologies for the solar energy industry, will establish its first large commercial Direct Wafer™ production plant and significantly grow its workforce at the high-tech Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park in Alabama, Genesee County.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), and the Ali Forney Center (AFC) announced three new federal grants to help continue AFC’s important work serving homeless youth in New York City, an estimated 40% of which identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ). Combined, the more than $1 million in federal grants will provide critical resources to AFC, which works with LGBTQ homeless youth on a range of issues, including domestic and sexual violence, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

More than one in twelve dwellings in New York City – a total of 272,533 homes – are crowded, according to “Hidden Households,” a new report released today by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. All told, that means that a total of 1,476,746 New York residents lived in a crowded or severely crowded dwelling in 2013, at a ratio of 5.42 persons per crowded household

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized its changes to a cleanup plan originally issued in 1996 to address soil and groundwater at the AVX property at the Olean Well Field Superfund Site in Cattaraugus County, Olean, NY. Soil and groundwater at the AVX property located at 1695 Seneca Avenue are contaminated with volatile organic compounds, which are often found in paint, solvents, aerosol sprays, cleaners, disinfectants, automotive products and dry cleaning fluids

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized its changes to a cleanup plan originally issued in 1996 to address soil and groundwater at the AVX property at the Olean Well Field Superfund Site in Cattaraugus County, Olean, NY. Soil and groundwater at the AVX property located at 1695 Seneca Avenue are contaminated with volatile organic compounds, which are often found in paint, solvents, aerosol sprays, cleaners, disinfectants, automotive products and dry cleaning fluids.

In response to a question from Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) during a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee, Director Richard Cordray this week said that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will consider issuing a clarification to ensure co-ops are included in the CFPB’s new Integrated Disclosure rule for mortgages.

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today announced that $7.9 million is being awarded to The Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse to construct 128 units of permanent supportive housing in Onondaga County. The announcement was made during the grand opening of the Rescue Mission’s 183-bed homeless shelter, which was constructed with a $3.4 million grant from OTDA, and highlighted as part of Governor Cuomo’s “Capital for a Day” in Central New York

I want to thank Chairman Torres for calling this hearing on the New York City Housing Authority, and for inviting me to testify. And I want to thank members of the Committee on Public Housing and the Committee on Contracts for being here.

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Vicki Been reminds residential building owners of their legal obligation to provide tenants with hot water year-round and heat when the outdoor temperature warrants it. The 2015-2016 “heat season” begins today, October 1st, and continues through May 31st 2016.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced $11.5 million in new funding for more than two dozen legal services organizations statewide to help prevent foreclosures, keep families in their homes, and rebuild communities hit hardest by the housing crash.

Kelly T. Currie, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, David A. Montoya, Inspector General for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Frederick W. Gibson, Acting Inspector General for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, announced the filing of a civil suit against the Rainy Day Foundation, Inc., a purported charitable “counseling fund,” together with its associated business entities and principals. The case was filed today in federal court in Central Islip and has been assigned to United States District Judge Joseph F. Bianco.

Our resident expert Julia Rosner did a timely disaster training yesterday via webcast for legal services providers in California, focusing on the most common post-disaster legal issues and how to participate in a regionally coordinated disaster legal services pro bono effort

New York City’s Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) joined Barrier Free Living (BFL), Alembic Community Development and Foxy Management to celebrate the grand opening of Barrier Free Living Residences for Families and Individuals in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx.  The project reflects the City’s ongoing efforts to expand supportive housing for its most vulnerable residents, and is BFL’s first permanent supportive housing development.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the New York City Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) joins the Acacia Network, the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), and partners to announce the opening of 92 West Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. The newly constructed six-story development will serve as a safe and affordable home for 60 senior citizen households, age 55 or older.

Commissioner Rubin delivered the keynote speech at the Rural Housing Coalition’s Housing and Community Development Conference in Oswego on September 17th. Attendees included 200 housing and community development professionals from Rural Preservation Companies (RPCs) around the state.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $175 million in awards for five large-scale clean energy projects that will help the State meet its Reforming the Energy Vision goals to increase the amount of electricity generation from renewable energy sources. The projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the resiliency of New York’s electric grid and energy infrastructure while decreasing the state's reliance on fossil fuels leading to a cleaner, healthier environment.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing $400,000 to the City of New York to supplement the city’s program to clean up contaminated Brownfields properties throughout the city. This grant, which will be added to New York City’s Revolving Loan Fund, will help fund hazardous substance cleanups in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, creating jobs while protecting public health and the environment.

New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen, New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Gilbert Taylor, and New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Gary Rodney join the Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC) and partners to break ground at the Landing Road Residence. This development will be the first project created under Mayor de Blasio’s HomeStretch program to finance the new construction of a co-located permanent supportive affordable housing development and new homeless shelter.