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Dear Neighbors,

For all of you who recently observed Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, L'Shanah Tovah and I hope you had an easy fast. These important days can bring rejuvenation and renewal.

For those families starting school, I hope you've had smooth beginnings. Please read below for more information. As always, we have much to report on critical community issues, from the renewed eviction moratorium to new legislation for small businesses to important news about the City's emergency food programs. Please also find several upcoming events below that will be of interest.

I am wishing you all a healthy and successful fall!
 

Friday (9/17) Hearing on "Storefront Bill of Rights" Legislation
This Friday the City Council Small Business Committee is reviewing legislation I have introduced, with the strong support of Borough President Brewer, which will establish a "Storefront Bill of Rights." Read the legislation here.

The pandemic and ensuing economic crisis have left storefronts vacant across the city. As small businesses seek to recover, our "Bill of Rights" makes the lease agreement process more transparent, provides model leases in every City designated language, and establishes badly needed protections for all storefront tenants, especially a "right to renew."

Friday's hearing begins at 10am and our bill is fourth on the agenda. To watch the hearing live, click here and select "Virtual Room 2." After the hearing concludes, the full video will be posted here.
 

Back to School Resources for Families
  • NYC Dept of Education Homecoming Guidebook.
  • Advocates for Children of New York: Call 866-427-6033 (toll free), Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm with questions about the NYC education system. The Helpline is staffed by bilingual education specialists who provide information and resources and, in a limited number of cases, assign AFC attorneys to represent low-income families. AFC also offers guides and resources to help families navigate NYC’s complex education system. 
New Resource For Teaching Artists
The GIVE project (Growing Inclusivity for Vibrant Engagement) provides free tools and resources for teaching artists who work in Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) classrooms and other inclusive learning environments. Students with and without disabilities are educated together in ICT classrooms, which offer a uniquely supported and integrated learning experience.
 

Free Pre-K Spaces Available!
The Bloomingdale Family Program has space for your child born in 2017 in its 4s classrooms. The program is free of charge. For more information and to apply, call Bloomingdale at 212-665-4631 or email them at [email protected].
 

Grab-and-Go Meals & Emergency Food Delivery: Important Updates
The City has ended provision of Community Grab & Go Meal Service at public schools across New York. Universal breakfast and lunch programs remain available to all NYC school children. 

The City will also be ending its Emergency Food Home-Delivered Meal Program (EFD) in October. The City says it is in the process of contacting all New Yorkers who participate in the program to identify anyone needing food assistance beyond October. Those New Yorkers will be connected to longer-term programs and agencies.

Food insecurity remains widespread across New York City. If you or someone you know is in need, available resources include:

Health Coverage for City of NY Retirees
Earlier this summer, the City of NY and the Municipal Labor Committee reached an agreement to replace the current Senior Care program -- a supplement to traditional Medicare which is free for all retirees and their eligible dependents -- with a Medicare Advantage Plus Plan.

Retirees will automatically be enrolled in the new NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan with an effective date of January 1, 2022. Retirees can opt-out of the NYC Medicare Advantage Plus Plan and purchase another health plan, including the Senior Care program and HIP VIP, in September and October before the program start date.
  • For more information about the switch to Medicare Advantage, click here.
  • Retirees can also phone 1-833-325-1190, Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm, with questions.
  • Click here to learn more about City of NY negotiations with municipal labor unions.
 
NYS Eviction Moratorium Extended
Earlier this month, Governor Hochul signed state legislation that extended legal protections from eviction for most tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through January 15, 2022. The new law follows recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court that found the federal restriction on evictions and the earlier NYS COVID-19 eviction protection laws to be unlawful.

Scroll down to "Important News for Tenants" to learn more.
 

Hurricane Season is Here: Sign Up for Notify NYC
Notify NYC, part of NYC Emergency Management, is the official information source regarding emergency events and important City services. Sign up to receive free emergency alerts and updates by visiting NYC.gov/notifynyc, calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115), following @NotifyNYC on Twitter, or getting the free Notify NYC mobile application for your Apple or Android device. Notify NYC messages are available in multiple languages, audio format, and American Sign Language (ASL) video format.
 
 
Updated NYPD Procedures for Public Demonstrations
After the mass demonstrations that occurred in the Spring of 2020, the City's Department of Investigation published a report with a series of recommendations to improve the NYPD's response to first amendment activity.  One of the recommendations was to formalize the policies and procedures related to policing protests.  

As a result, the NYPD created a patrol guide procedure that was posted for public comment from May 28 through June 30. Last week they released the final procedure, which includes changes based on the public comments. The NYPD has also formalized its policies and procedures regarding the use of Long Range Acoustic Devices ("LRAD") as a part of a settlement from a lawsuit. To learn more, click on the following documents released by the NYPD.  

Vaccinated Escorts Needed to Accompany Vaccinated Older Adults on Vital Appointments
Search and Care, a social service agency which provides older people with support and companionship so they can live with security and dignity, is seeking compassionate, vaccinated adults to safely accompany vaccinated older/frail adults on medical and other vital appointments.

Escorts will accompany older adults to and from their homes on the upper east and upper west sides of Manhattan. Escorts will be paid by the hour for their time. To learn more, please email [email protected].

The ideal escort will:
  • be available one or more weekdays for 3-5 hours between 8:30 and 5pm
  • assist clients into/out of a vehicle (taxi, Access-A-Ride, bus)
  • provide companionship and chaperoning assistance from home to medical provider and back home
  • be bilingual (Spanish), a plus

Resources for Residential Property Owners
COVID-19 has been a challenging time for owners as well as tenants. Click here to read the City's summary of resources which can assist property owners in securing rent payments, loans, foreclosure protections, and individualized assistance.

Keeping Buildings Free of Rats & Other Pests
Rats pose an ongoing threat to public health. Click here to view City rat inspection results and follow-up actions on an interactive map, and to learn about resources for property owners. The NYC Dept of Health has prepared these helpful materials for residents, and building owners and managers. Scroll below for details about upcoming Rat Academies!
Have You Been Vaccinated?
 
COVID-19 has made it more important than ever to get your flu shot! Everyone 6 months and older should receive a seasonal flu vaccination each year. It is best to get vaccinated in the fall, but you can be vaccinated through late spring.

Flu vaccines are widely available at doctor’s offices, pharmacies, community health clinics and through employer-sponsored programs. Most health insurance plans cover flu vaccination without a co-pay.

1.) "Key to NYC" Vaccination Mandate
As ordered by the City, indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment establishments now require proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. To enter one of these establishments, you'll need to show your paper CDC card, Excelsior Pass, NYC COVID Safe App, or any other vaccine record.
  • Applies to NYers 12 and older -- customers, workers, patrons -- with reasonable accommodations for health, disability, and religion.
  • Enforcement of the order began September 13th. Learn more at nyc.gov/keytonyc or by calling 311.
  • Businesses with questions should call: 1-888-SBS-4NYC or visit nycsmallbizcourses.eventbrite.com and search for “Key to NYC Guidelines and Resources to Help Your Business."
2.) Third Vaccine Dose for Immunocompromised New Yorkers
Public health authorities are recommending that some immunocompromised persons receive three doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, rather than the standard two-dose regimen. The recommendation applies to people 12 and older who have a condition or are taking medications or treatments that moderately or severely weaken their immune system, and received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Read guidance from the NYC Dept of Health here and the federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention here.

Before receiving a third dose, please consult with your doctor. NYers getting a third dose will be asked to attest to their qualifying medical condition. No other documentation will be required. Additional vaccine doses are not recommended for any other group at this time.
  • 3rd doses are available at all City-run vaccination sites.
  • Homebound immunocompromised persons who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine can request an in-home booster shot by calling 877-VAX4NYC or visiting nyc.gov/homevaccine.
  • The NYC Dept of Health is still awaiting guidance on whether another dose will be recommended for the Johnson +Johnson vaccine.
3.) Have you lost your COVID-19 vaccination card?
If you are fully vaccinated and need verification of your vaccine status, you can request a record of your COVID-19 vaccination online, or via fax or mail. Click here to learn more!

New Yorkers can meet vaccine and/or testing requirements by carrying their paper vaccination card with them or scanning and storing it in one of two authorized mobile apps - Excelsior Pass Wallet and NYC Covid Safe. Learn more here.

4.) All City-run vaccination sites are open to ALL New Yorkers. This  includes City-run "walk-up" sites (age 12+ accepted at Pfizer sites; age 18+ accepted at Moderna sites).

Click here for the most up-to-date list of walk-up vaccination sites. Vaccinations can also be scheduled via the City's Vaccine Finder, or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC or 877-829-4692.

Please check the NYC Dept of Health website regularly for vaccination updates and additional information -- including for people who were recently vaccinated.

5.) In-home COVID-19 vaccinations are now available to all New Yorkers ages 12 and older. Click here to learn more or phone 877-829-4692.

6.) In-home COVID-19 testing is now available to all immunocompromised New Yorkers and those ages 65 and older. Appointments are available seven days per week, from 9am to 7pm. Please call 929-298-9400 to schedule.
  • The City will provide a molecular PCR test administered by a trained clinician at no cost.
  • Once a test is requested, it will be performed the next day or the day following, depending on when the patient is available.
  • Results will be returned within two days by text, e-mail or phone.
7.) Vaccination Incentives 
For New Yorkers
New Yorkers receiving their first vaccine dose at a City-run vaccine location are now eligible for incentives, including a $100 pre-paid debit card. Click here to learn more.

New Yorkers 18 and older can also win exclusive prizes. Once your first vaccine dose is complete, you will receive an email with instructions on how to select your money or incentive and enter the contest.
 
For Community Organizations
The City is offering $100 to community and faith-based organizations for each person they refer for a first vaccine dose at a City-run vaccination site.

New Yorkers who make an appointment ahead of time, or who use a walk-in vaccination site, simply need to identify which community organization referred them. Organizations can earn up to $20,000 each. Interested organizations should sign up at nyc.gov/vaccinereferralbonus. 

8.) Stay Informed! Helpful COVID-19 information sources include: 
 
Important News for Tenants
 
NYS Eviction Moratorium Extended to January, 2022
The following information comes from the City of New York.

Earlier this month Governor Hochul signed state legislation that extended legal protections from eviction for most tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through January 15, 2022. The new law provides that:

1.) An eviction warrant issued prior to September 2, 2021 may not be executed by a New York City marshal until the Housing Court has held a status conference with the parties. 

2.) Tenants who have submitted completed "Hardship Declarations" attesting to their financial hardship affecting their ability to pay rent or find new housing during the pandemic are protected from eviction until January 15, 2022, and their eviction cases are stayed (paused) until that date.  

3.) Tenants who have not yet submitted Hardship Declarations can do so now and likewise be protected until January 15, 2022.  

4.) To address the legal issues in the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling, the new law gives a landlord the ability to challenge a tenant’s Hardship Declaration if the landlord believes that the hardship does not exist. The landlord can file a motion in Housing Court for a hearing to determine whether a hardship exists (in which case the stay remains in place until January 15, 2022) or not (in which case the eviction case can move forward in Housing Court).

5.) Tenants who file hardship declarations may still be evicted if a judge finds that they violated their lease by intentionally causing significant property damage or by creating a nuisance to other tenants in the building. Tenants who have submitted Hardship Declarations should respond to any court notices they receive that their case is scheduled for a hearing. 
 
6.) The coverage period of the NYS Tenant Safe Harbor Act has been extended until January 15, 2022, meaning that tenants who can prove that they had financial hardship between the start of the State COVID-19 emergency period on March 7, 2020 through January 15, 2022 may have a defense in court to eviction for non-payment of rent owed during that period. 

7.) Tenants who file applications for the NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will have their eviction case stayed (paused) until their application is reviewed and decided by NYS, regardless of when the case was originally filed against them. Information on how to apply for ERAP is below.

8.) Applicants for either the State Family Homelessness Eviction Prevention Supplement (FHEPS), or CityFHEPS, have had the requirement for a pending court action waived through January 15, 2022.
 
Tenants whose eviction cases are scheduled for appearance in Housing Court --including hearings about Hardship Declarations-- have access to free legal services, regardless of ZIP code, under NYC’s right-to-counsel law.
  • Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline
  • Visit the NYC Human Resources Administration’s Office of Civil Justice online at www.nyc.gov/civiljustice
  • Call Housing Court Answers at (718) 557-1379
NYS Emergency Rental Assistance (ERAP)
Eligible tenants may seek up to 12 months of rental and utility arrears assistance, as well as three prospective months of rent, via the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Click here to learn about eligibility and apply.
  • Tenants are eligible to apply for ERAP regardless of immigration status if their household income is below 80% of "area median income," which you can look up here.
  • Either a landlord or tenant may initiate an ERAP application. All applications require documentation from both the landlord and tenant to be deemed complete and to be reviewed for payment of arrears and other expenses.
  • Click here for guidance in cases when the application is initiated by the tenant and a landlord does not or refuses to provide necessary information.
NYCHA residents no longer have to fill out the ERAP application – they can authorize NYCHA to apply for ERAP on their behalf via NYCHA's online portal. Detailed instructions for the portal are available here, or please contact your property management office for assistance. 

NYCHA residents who have already submitted an ERAP application should email their ERAP application number, along with their first name, last name, date of birth, development name, and their nine-digit account number, to [email protected] so NYCHA can complete the application with the State. 

Application Tips: TakeRoot Justice has prepared a very helpful: For assistance with the application, call New York State at 844-NY1-RENT (844-691-7368; or the TTY phone number, 833-843-8829, for the hearing impaired.). If you live in Manhattan, the two organizations below are designated ERAP "enrollers" and can also answer questions.
  • Catholic Charities Community Services at 888-744-7900
  • University Settlement at 212-453-4500
Extra Tip: tenants should call New York State or an enroller organization as many times as necessary to have all your questions answered.

Other ERAP Resources
  • Older adults and persons with disabilities can contact LiveOn NY for assistance with the ERAP application. Phone (212) 398-5045 or email [email protected].
  • West Side Campaign Against Hunger is answering questions about the ERAP application. Contact them here.
  • The NY Legal Assistance Group is answering questions about the ERAP application. Contact them here.
ERAP Updates
  • NYS requires that all residents must have applied for and received a State determination on ERAP before rental arrears can be paid via a City of NY "One-Shot-Deal" or CityFHEPS. 
  • Note for HRA cash assistance, SNAP or HEAP recipients: ERAP payments are not countable as income or as a resource for eligibility or for budgeting purposes. For recipients who are granted ERAP benefits for prospective (future) rent, these payments will cover the difference between the Cash Assistance Shelter Allowance grant and the monthly shelter cost.
Read about other resources for tenants here.
Upcoming Events of Interest
 
For local and citywide environmental news and events, sign up for newsletters from UWS Recycling, which come out 6 times/year. Read the September/October Eco Letter here!

Amsterdam Eco-Arts Festival This Saturday!
Join your neighbors this Saturday, September 18th on Amsterdam Avenue (109th -110th Sts) for a celebration of Park(ING) Day, an annual global event where people transform spaces usually inhabited by cars into public places for people. The event runs from noon - 6:30pm. See the full program here! 

Sponsored by the Columbus-Amsterdam BID, Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance, and "Love Your Street Tree Day," Saturday's celebration will feature a guided street tree bed educational tour, followed by an opportunity to plant in and alongside a rain garden on W. 110th Street & Amsterdam Ave.

After helping to beautify this important environmental feature of the avenue, join artists and dance companies for various performances with nature based and anti-pollution themes. There will also be family workshops, games, and more. 

The W. 90th Street Block Association is hosting a Block Party & Barbecue, Dog Show, and Tag & Bake Sale this Saturday (9/18) from 10am to 3pm! Please call 646-734-2808 with any questions.

Upcoming Virtual Rat Academies
Please join the City's Dept of Health for a free virtual training to learn about rat prevention methods.
  • Training for Community Gardeners -- Tuesday, September 21st, 2pm - 4pm. Please pre-register here and download calendar when prompted.
  • Training for Building Supers and Staff, Homeowners and Tenants, & Managing Companies -- Thursday, September 30th, 12:30pm - 2:30pm. Please pre-register here and download calendar when prompted.
Traffic Safety Forum
The UWS Coalition of Block Associations is hosting a forum on Traffic Safety at its monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 22 from 7 - 8:30pm. Panelists will include traffic safety experts from Community Board 7, NYPD, the City's Dept of Transportation and Dept of Parks & Recreation, Los Deliveristas, and Transportation Alternatives.
 
UWS residents are welcome to submit questions for the panel in advance of the event. Instructions for submitting questions can be found here. The event will be livestreamed on YouTube. Watch it at https://youtu.be/iM7GSPNLVkQ.

The Right to Counsel (RTC): Fighting Eviction in New York City
Join the Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY (CIDNY) for this important workshop next Thursday, September 23, from 1 to 3pm. Click here to learn more and register.

A meeting link will be emailed the day before the event. If you are unable to register using the link above, please send your email address and phone number to Angela Bruen at [email protected], or call (347) 241-2150 at least two days before the day of the event. Accessibility questions can also be directed to the phone number above.

Citizenship Event
Please help us spread the word about this virtual citizenship screening event on National Citizenship Day, Saturday, September 25th!

Constituents will meet 1:1 in a confidential Zoom breakout room with CUNY Citizenship Now! legal staff, who will screen for citizenship eligibility. Please call 646-664-9400 as soon as possible for an appointment time slot. Once registered, constituents will receive a confirmation email with their appointment time, Zoom link, and details about the event.
 


Congestion Pricing Public Input Sessions
A reminder that a public info session regarding the impact of congestion pricing on Manhattan, 61st Street and above, will be on October 6th, from 6-8pm.The MTA and the NYS and NYC Departments of Transportation are currently holding virtual public meetings regarding congestion pricing, also known as the proposed Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP), for a 28-county region in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Visit new.mta.info/project/CBDTP to learn more about CBDTP, the public meetings, and how to submit comments. The CBDTP was authorized by the State in April 2019 and modeled on urban congestion pricing programs around the world to reduce traffic congestion and raise needed revenue to improve public transportation. Other cities with similar programs have also experienced improved air quality. If approved, the CBDTP would be the first such program in the U.S. 
 


September is Hispanic Heritage Month


Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Ballet Hispanico! Learn more here.

Job Listings: Spread the Word!
 

HVAC Construction Jobs
Building Skills New York (BSNY), a not-for-profit organization committed to providing New Yorkers with good paying local construction jobs, is recruiting for their HVAC training program.

The HVAC program is being offered in a hybrid format (virtual/in person). Click here to learn more. At the conclusion of the training, BSNY will work to get participants employed utilizing BSNY's certification. Click here to learn more about BSNY's other training programs.

Lincoln Center is hiring for a variety of open positions, including Security Officers, which are responsible for maintaining the safety of visitors, staff, community members, and campus property in numerous outdoor and select indoor spaces. The security officer position is union-represented and successful applicants will be required to join Local 32BJ. For Lincoln Center's full list of job openings, please click here.

GrowNYC is hiring! See a variety of open positions here.

Jobs Available with the City Cleanup Corps
The City Cleanup Corps (CCC) is a New Deal-inspired economic recovery program with the aim of creating 10,000 jobs and making New York City the "cleanest, greenest city in the United States." The CCC is funded via federal stimulus dollars and part of the Mayor’s Recovery For All of Us plan.

Hiring is taking place across 10 City agencies, including the departments of Parks & Recreation, Transportation, Environmental Protection, and the NYC Housing Authority. The CCC will focus on revitalizing New York City’s public spaces and neighborhoods -- prioritizing areas identified by local communities and elected officials, business districts, and the 33 neighborhoods hit hardest by the pandemic. 

Important Resources for Our Community

 
Sign-Up for Curbside Composting! The City is resuming collecting food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste from residents so that it can be turned into compost or renewable energy. This service is voluntary, and residents must sign up.
  • Click here to sign up and learn more!
  • Encourage your building management or board members to sign-up. The Dept of Sanitation will notify the building representative when service will start in your area.
  • Service will resume on a rolling basis based on the number of sign-ups in your area. This way DSNY can ensure there will be enough material set out for their trucks to pick up. The more sign-ups in our area, the quicker service will start!
 
Child Tax Credit
A reminder to families that the IRS has begun monthly distributions of up to $300 per child as part of the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) created by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Families can receive half of the fully refundable credit—worth up to $3,600 per child (under age 6) or $3,000 per child (ages 6 to 17)—as monthly payments in 2021 and the other half as part of tax refunds in 2022.

These payments could bring in more than $5 billion to NYC and, when combined with other stimulus funds, reduce child poverty by nearly half -- but only if every eligible family participates!

No action is necessary if you filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return or used the IRS "Non-Filer" tool. Otherwise, click here to learn how to claim the CTC and receive the payments quickly and safely.
  • NYC Free Tax Prep can assist anyone who needs to file to in order to receive the CTC.
  • The fastest way to receive the advance payment is by direct deposit to a bank account. New Yorkers can visit one of the City's Financial Empowerment Centers for help setting up a bank account if they don’t have one. 

Mental Health Resources for District 6 Residents
Don't suffer alone. Support is available for any New Yorker coping with issues like depression, anxiety, substance misuse, crime victimization, and serious mental illness. Targeted services are being offered to older New Yorkers, veterans, families with young children, students, and people harmed by crime or abuse.
  • NYC Well is the City's confidential helpline for mental health and substance misuse services. Trained counselors can provide you with support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 200 languages. Click here; call: 1-888-NYC-Well (1-888-692-9355); or text: “Well” to 65173.

Free Wellness Classes: a wide variety of free, on-line wellness programs are available from:  
 
Older adults may be eligible for a wide range of benefits, including assistance with food, medical, and utility costs, as well as rent freezes and lower property taxes.

If you missed our webinar with LiveOn NY about how to access these benefits, you can review detailed slides from the presentation here.

If you would like benefits screening and application assistance, phone (212) 398-5045, or email [email protected]. You can also complete an intake form with LiveOn NY here.

Older adults may be eligible for assistance with their Medicare costs. Together with the Medicare Rights Center, our office hosted a special webinar in July regarding available assistance. We also reviewed COVID-19 Medicare coverage, Medicaid "Spend Down," and other important topics.
We're Here to Help

My office assists people with housing issues, seniors, the disabled, the recently un (or under) employed, the food insecure, and all those suffering the many consequences of this pandemic, to help in any way we can. We also provide on-going advocacy with our public schools and other public services.

Please call (212) 873-0282, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible; email [email protected]; or check our website, HelenRosenthal.com. We update it on a regular basis with information about public benefits, non-profit resources, and health facts Upper West Siders need to get through this crisis. 

Warmly,



P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, or have them subscribe to my e-blasts here. Also, follow my social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.
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