Dear Neighbors,
We hope that you are staying safe and well.
As is becoming clear, the human toll and economic repercussions of the coronavirus will be long-lasting.
We are hearing from many Upper West Siders -- people living on fixed incomes, tenants, small business owners, and others -- about the financial challenges they are already facing. City and State government are acutely aware of the economic impacts rippling across the region, and I and other local officials are pushing for relief for New Yorkers.
The Governor recently announced a 90-day state moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenants, which is expected to go into effect Sunday evening. The City has already declared a temporary moratorium on residential evictions.
Also, the Governor has just issued an Executive Order requiring that all employees performing non-essential services stay home. Please see this list of workers who are exempt from the Governor's order. Below you will find updates about housing, public schools, and other critical services.
HOUSING
Tenants should be advised that our April Housing Clinic is canceled but they can contact these organizations for Free Housing-related Legal Advice. (Phone calls only.)
- Housing Conservation Coordinators at (212) 541-5996, Monday evenings, 7-9pm
- Take Root Justice Housing Hotline at (646) 459-3022
- Goddard Law Project at (212) 799-9638, x0
- PALANTE Harlem, Inc. at (212) 491-2541 -- English & Spanish spoken
- Legal Services NYC at (917) 661-4509 -- serves residents city-wide in several languages
Con Edison will not shut off electric, natural gas or steam service due to payment difficulties resulting from the health crisis. Learn more here.
BUSINESSES
The City's Dept of Finance will waive penalties for DOF-administered business and excise taxes due between March 16 and April 25, 2020.
Business owners should check the NYC Dept of Small Business Services website regularly as SBS continues to expand its services. SBS is now offering "Employee Retention Grants" for businesses with 1-4 employees, and they are collecting information from larger companies who may be eligible for loans. SBS is also offering guidance for running a small business during Covid 19.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS & FOOD
Any child under 18 (regardless of where they are enrolled) can pick up "grab and go" breakfast and lunch at certain public schools from 7:30am-1:30pm, Monday thru Friday. Specific locations can be found on the DOE website.
The Department of Education posts daily updates about remote learning.
OTHER IMPORTANT UPDATES/RESOURCES:
- Our e-waste recycling event this Sunday (3/22) at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is canceled.
- Nearly all GrowNYC Greenmarkets, Farmstands, and Fresh Food Box sites are open, but all food scrap drop-off and clothing collection sites in NYC are now closed until further notice. Learn more here. The City’s curbside composting collections remain operational at this time.
- Good news for New Yorkers who are SNAP recipients: you can use your EBT card to order groceries on-line at Amazon, Walmart and ShopRite. Learn more here.
- The City of New York is seeking NYS-certified healthcare workers to support the anticipated surge at healthcare facilities. Learn more here.
- The NYS Board of Elections is accepting requests to vote by absentee ballot in the upcoming primaries and general election. Learn more here.
- MAKE SURE YOU ARE COUNTED: Households across the country are receiving mailed invitations, asking them to complete the 2020 U.S. Census. Every household has the option of responding online, by phone, or by mail. Learn more here and here.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
- Our office is seeking volunteers. Please sign-up here.
- God’s Love We Deliver needs volunteers for meal deliveries, in the kitchen, and/or in meal packaging. Sign-up here.
- NYC Census 2020 came up with a clever volunteer project so folks can help get the word out via text. There will be a community text-a-thon on Sunday, March 22nd and Monday, March 23rd. Sign up here.
Remember, the most important thing you can do at this moment is to stay home to every extent possible -- this will help to contain the spread of the virus. Read the NYC Dept of Health's latest factsheet here.
During this incredibly stressful time, there are many tools available to help you support yourself. Explore some of them here.
Stay up-to-date:
- The NYC Department of Health has extensive information on Coronavirus impacts, plus safety tips. Fact sheets are now available in several languages.
- Sign up for the City’s text alert system, by texting the word “COVID” to 692-692.
- Our Facebook page and website will post regular updates from the Dept of Health & other helpful information.
Stay well,
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