Mosley Decries Airbnb Violations
Assembly member Walter Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights) denounced a alleged Advertisement campaign by Airbnb yesterday.
According to the New York Daily News, the house sharing company was recently spotted flooding Ebbets Field, a rent-stabilized housing complex in Crown Heights, with flyers urging tenants to list their homes on Airbnb. The flyer supposedly offers an “Airbnb agent and manager” and promise big bucks without all the hassle of setting up the listing. The flyer itself is not from Airbnb but does use the companies recognizable logo.
However, current city law prohibits renting out an apartment in the Ebbets Field complex — which make it illegal for tenants to rent out an entire apartment for fewer than 30 days. Additionally, when it comes to rent-stabilized apartments, courts in New York have upheld the evictions of tenants booted for commercializing their rent-stabilized apartments through Airbnb.
“Flyers posted around Ebbets Field, a rent stabilized complex in my district, enticed tenants to work with shady dealers to rent out their apartments through Airbnb. While these signs weren’t posted by Airbnb, they reveal yet another way Airbnb is helping people to provide short term rentals, which is against the laws of New York City,” said Mosley.
“I have spoken out against Airbnb throughout my career. Not only are there reports detailing the ways Airbnb hosts violate New York City laws, but landlords renting out apartments on Airbnb prevents families from moving in. Airbnb is contributing to the significant housing crisis our city is facing, and that is why I will continue to call for more stringent regulations for this service,” added Mosley.
Colton Hosts Annual Distinguished Women’s Awards
Assembly member William Colton (D-Bath Beach, Bensonhurst) hosted his Annual Distinguished Women’s Awards Ceremony over the weekend.
This year’s 30 honorees included Antonella Lombardo, a Drama teacher at P.S. 177; Zlata Razdolina, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning composer and performer; Angel Yan-shan Wu, Executive Director of Chinese American Social Services Center; Jennifer Giordano, a long-time teacher at P.S. 186; Stephanie Wong, founder of United Chinese Association of Brooklyn (UCA); Anna Geller, Director of Professional Training and Strategic Community Partnerships at Kingsborough Community College; Lila Leung, the president of Chong Loi Association, which helps new immigrants; Angel Fung, staff member for Council member Mark Treyger, and Jeanette Givant, former staff member at Assembly member Colton’s office.
At the event, Colton presented each award by highlighting the accomplishments of each honoree, many whom he worked with in the community for decades. Honorees were awarded a framed certificate and a carnation.
“These are the community’s unsung heroines, and they deserve to be recognized for their daily sacrifices, dedication, and hard work,” said Colton.
CM Williams To Honor ‘African American Women In Cinema’
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) will honor the African American Women in Cinema (AAWIC) Film Festival as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this month.
Williams alongside members of the Women’s Caucus and the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus will honor the President of the AAWIC, Terra Renee, and other members of the organization.
Williams will present a City Council Proclamation to the organization to mark the 20th anniversary of the festival. For two decades now, the AAWIC Film Festival has been a vital space for artists to create and showcase their work in a field that too often neglects the contributions of women of color.
The event is slated for 1 p.m., today, March 21, at City Hall – Council Chamber in Lower Manhattan.
Golden Opposes Manhattan Beach Parking Lot Solar Roof Proposal
State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend, Manhattan Beach) denounced the proposal to place a solar roof over the parking lot in the Manhattan Beach Public Park and Beach.
Earlier this month, local residents alongside Community Board 15 threw out the city’s proposal citing quality of life issues and calling the proposed “solar canopy” an eyesore, according to Brooklyn Daily.
The proposal is part of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services in partnership with the state New York Power Authority to identify parking lots across the city where solar canopies can be installed. The lot at Manhattan Beach is one of the options being considered, according to a department spokeswoman. Solar canopies are roof-like structures on posts that have solar panels on them.
“The required twenty-four hour lighting in a parking lot only yards away from many homes will have a negative impact on the quality of life in the community. We are concerned that around the clock lighting could potentially invite overnight problems. In addition to the potential late night problems, the canopy will cover an area equal to five or six city blocks, restricting water views for the community,” said Golden.
“The Manhattan Beach Public Park and Beach is very well maintained and is a heavily utilized recreational area all year round. The community is adamantly against this project and I join them in hoping we preserve the current state of this beautiful park,” added Golden.
