Schumer, Gillibrand Announce $108 Million In Fed Funding To Prevent Homelessness
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced yesterday that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide $108 million in federal funding to help non-profits and local governments relocate homeless individuals and families, and promote self-sufficiency programs.
“One homeless family is one too many, and we must do everything we can to help provide those truly in need with a place to live,” said Schumer. “By supporting affordable housing initiatives in New York City and across New York State, and helping organizations work with homeless families and individuals to get them back on their feet, we can make a real dent in homelessness across the state. This is a sound investment in those organizations in our community who are skilled at helping those that are most in need.”
“No family should ever be without a place to call home, and these federal funds will help provide New Yorkers in need with the resources and support that can help them find safe housing and avoid homelessness,” said Gillibrand. “We must support our local housing initiatives and programs that encourage self-sufficiency. Access to affordable housing is essential for the health of our families and the economic strength of our communities.”
The money comes from HUD’s Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, which is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
De Blasio Administration Tells Immigrants Health Care Won’t Afect Residency Status
The City’s Health + Hospitals Interim President and CEO Stanley Brezenoff and Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Nisha Agarwal joined together yesterday to issue a reassuring message to New Yorkers who may not be accessing health care services for fear of having their immigration status disclosed.
In an “open letter” to immigrant New Yorkers written in 14 languages, the two city officials assure the community that NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public health care system in the United States, remains committed to its mission to serve all New Yorkers, without exception, and regardless of immigration status.
“At NYC Health + Hospitals, our primary concern is your health, not your immigration status,” said Brezenoff. “We stand firm in our commitment to provide quality care for all New Yorkers. We want immigrant New Yorkers to understand they can seek health care without fear.”
“The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs is proud to work with NYC Health + Hospitals as they continue to serve the City’s most vulnerable immigrant communities. Our shared commitment to immigrant communities matters more than ever and we are pleased to jointly publish this open letter to encourage immigrants to seek health care services,” said Agarwal. “As part of this partnership, we are excited to bring ActionNYC’s free immigration legal services to immigrant patients in Health + Hospitals’ long-term care settings.”
ActionNYC is a partnership between the de Blasio Administration and the City University of New York (CUNY), which offers free, safe immigration legal help to immigrant New Yorkers at locations across the city.
The new initiative reflects the City’s overall policy that directs city employees to protect the confidential information of people seeking city services, including immigration status.
Cymbrowitz Teams With Biz Community For Holiday Lights
For the first time in at least 15 years, strings of holiday lights adorn the two commercial strips of Sheepshead Bay – Sheepshead Bay Road and Emmons Avenue – thanks to a partnership between Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach), the Sheepshead Bay Merchants’ Association and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
The goal is to encourage the continuing economic resurgence of Sheepshead Bay in the years since Hurricane Sandy and create a festive winter wonderland that invites people to visit Sheepshead Bay and discover what the neighborhood has to offer.
“The great variety of businesses that participated in this initiative represents just a taste of the things you can do in Sheepshead Bay, such as fantastic places to eat and drink, activities and hobbies for kids, and great stores that meet all of your family’s needs,” Cymbrowitz said. “We always knew we would come back stronger than ever after Hurricane Sandy. In addition to being beautiful, these holiday lights symbolize the sense of partnership and strength that we have as a community.”
Unlike other areas with Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), merchants’ sponsorship of the Sheepshead Bay holiday lights was entirely voluntary. The following local businesses participated:
Opera Cafe Lounge, Il Fornetto, Liman, Next Door Restaurant, Yiasou Estiatorio Restaurant, Signature Restaurant, Nika Ballet Studio, Prime Boutique, Wheeler’s, Factory Café, Pearl Beauty Salon & Spa, Anatolian Gyro, Jimmy’s Famous Heros, Royal Bay, Monica’s Bridal, Arbuz Café, Gothic Press, Edible Arrangements and Verizon Wireless.
Cuomo Adds Fulton Mall Building To Register Of Historic Places
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday announced that the Offerman Building, 503 Fulton Street on the Fulton Mall in Downtown Brooklyn is 0ne of 26 properties statewide being recommended to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
State and National Registers listing can assist property owners in revitalizing buildings, making them eligible for various public preservation programs and services, such as matching state grants and state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits.
The Offerman Building was built between 1889-1893. It’s Romanesque Revival style department store was central to the development and success of Brooklyn’s retail district. It currently houses the Old Navy Store, TJ Max and Nordstrom Rack on the first two floors. Luxury Apartments are being developed on the upper five floors.
“New York’s history is this nation’s history and we are leading the way to preserve the sites of significant events for future generations,” Cuomo said. “The nominations of these sites will help ensure that these parts of this state’s rich heritage remain viable and able to serve as destinations to attract visitors to every corner of this state.”
Malliotakis To Distribute Free Toys In Bay Ridge
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (Bay Ridge, Staten Island) today will distribute toys to local children, concluding her annual Holiday Toy Drive, in conjunction with Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church and Salam Arabic Lutheran Church.
The toys will be delivered at 12:30 p.m., today Dec. 22 to the Guild for Exceptional Children’s School, 1273 57th Street in Bay Ridge.
Dear Readers,
Kings County Politics will take off tomorrow, Dec. 23 to Dec. 26 for the long Christmas weekend. We wish all of our readers and viewers that celebrate the holiday a very Merry and Joyous Christmas filled with peace and good cheer.
Many Blessings to All,
Stephen Witt & The Kings County Politics Family
