Dear Neighbors,
Welcome back from the Labor Day holiday and for those who have just gone back to school, my warmest wishes for a successful start to the school year.
I want to bring your attention to some very timely events happening over the next few weeks. Please spread the word!
- The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs has organized a special phone bank to answer questions about the recent Trump administration "Public Charge" rule change and how it could impact public benefits for immigrants. New Yorkers can phone 1-800-566-7636 on September 9th and 10th, from 5pm to 8pm, to obtain free, safe legal help and answers to their questions. Learn more about the rule change here.
- Please join Assembly Member Danny O'Donnell and me for a Community Forum about the New State Rent Laws on Tuesday, September 17, 6-8pm, at Goddard Riverside. Click here to learn more.
- The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will be in my office on Wednesday, September 18, from 11am – 5pm. Learn more here. Please call (212) 873-0282 to make an appointment. HPD will provide assistance for tenants & building owners, including: how to file a housing-related complaint; how to address open housing violations; property registration assistance; how to finance improvements and repairs; and referrals for issues such as affordable housing, foreclosures, and tenant harassment.
- Our Monthly Housing Clinics resume on Wednesday, October 2nd, from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Please note the later starting time and new location: Bernie Wohl Center, 647 Columbus Ave, between W. 91st and 92nd Sts. The topic for our first clinic will be Intro to Rent Stabilization & Rent Control: tenants rights, preferential rents, and illegal de-regulation. Attorneys will be available for free consultation with residents (Bilingue: Español). For any disability accommodations, please contact my office at (212) 873-0282.
- After our last shredding event, many of you asked for a follow-up. Thanks to Assembly Member O'Donnell and Council Member Levine, Free & Safe Paper Shredding will be available on Sunday, September 8, 12pm - 4pm. Location: 110th Street & Amsterdam Avenue (part of Bloomingdale Family Days). Info: Assembly Member O'Donnell: 212-866-3970 or Council Member Levine: 212-928-6814.
- E-Waste Recycling on Sunday, September 15, 10am - 4pm. Location: 110th Street & Amsterdam Avenue (part of Bloomingdale Family Days). Info: Lower East Side Ecology or 212-477-4022. Accepted: Computers and peripherals (monitors, printers, faxes/scanners, keyboards, mice, wires, etc.); TVs; stereo and A/V equipment, VCRs, DVD players; cell and wall phones. Not Accepted: Microwaves, refrigerators, air conditioners, smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. *****Textile Recycling will also be available on Sept 15th from 11am to 4pm.
- Hearing Loss Association of America's New York City Walk 4 Hearing will take place on Sunday, September 22 in Riverside Park. Registration/check-in starts at 9am; walk begins at 10:30am. Starting point: W. 97th Street & Riverside Drive. Learn more here. I've been delighted to partner with HLAA on critical new accessibility laws, such as my 2017 legislation requiring that public assembly areas constructed or renovated using City dollars install “Hearing Loop” technology.
Don't forget to check our September Events Calendar for other happenings across the Upper West Side!
As students entered PS 191 for the first time this week, they were welcomed by a student pianist. I wish all of our students, teachers and principals an enjoyable and successful year!
NEWS FROM CITY HALL
Borough-Based Jails Plan
Yesterday, the City Council held a day-long hearing on the City's plan to close the jail on Rikers Island by 2026 and construct four new “justice centers" for men in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. A separate center for women is planned for Queens. Hundreds of New Yorkers testified at the hearing.
As Chair of the Committee on Women & Gender Equity, my questions were focused on the design of the proposed women's facility, and how it can best support recovery, rehabilitation, and family reunification. The vast majority (85%) of females held on Rikers are mothers. Now is the time to plan for a women’s facility that is focused on wellness. By establishing rehabilitative, holistic support networks for justice-involved women, a well-designed facility can help break the cycle of incarceration and recidivism.
September Hearing on Domestic Violence
The committees on Women & Gender Equity and General Welfare will hold a hearing regarding the City's provision of services to domestic violence survivors (including emergency shelter, mental health support, financial counseling, and permanent housing) on Thursday, September 19th at 10am in City Council Chambers.
Domestic violence remains a pervasive social and public health crisis, crossing lines of class, race, ethnicity, and sexuality. In 2017, the NYPD responded to almost 300 intimate partner-related domestic incident reports every day and there were 26 intimate partner homicides across the city. Earlier this year, the City Council unanimously passed my legislation mandating long-term tracking of City efforts to combat domestic violence
As always, don't hesitate to contact my City Hall (212-788-6975) or District (212-873-0282) offices with any questions about our work.
Warmly,
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