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News of the Week

New York’s $220 Billion Budget Light on Solutions to Homelessness, Critics Say
"It’s pretty dreadful," one housing advocate said. "The governor decided to-go drinks and a stadium in Buffalo were more important than housing the homeless and marginalized New Yorkers."

NYC English Language Learners Still Struggling Two Years Into Pandemic
There were roughly 145,723 English language learners (ELL)—representing 13.3 percent of all students—in New York City public schools last year. Two years after the pandemic, there are several academic areas in which ELLs have not recovered.

Statewide Gas Ban Bill Axed From NY Budget
The proposed legislation, the All-Electric Building Act, follows a similar law passed by the New York City Council under former Mayor Bill de Blasio in December.

Adams Taps Landlord Lawyer and Stabilization Skeptic to Rent Board, with Tenant Seat Still Empty

After eight years of rent freezes and modest increases, the days of a tenant-friendly Rent Guidelines Board may be coming to an end.

Progressive Running for Lieutenant Gov. Goes Big on Housing
Ana Maria Archila, running alongside gubernatorial candidate Jumaane Williams, has focused her campaign around housing, with a radical plan to create or preserve 1 million affordable homes statewide while cutting out speculators and large corporate landlords.

“The severe impacts on families of English Language Learners across economic, educational, and emotional spheres cannot be understated.”

--A representative of Long Island City High School, in response to City Limits' inquiries on how the pandemic has affected students who are learning English for the first time.

City Views

Opinions and Analysis on Policy and Politics

Opinion: Defendants Living with Mental Illness Need Treatment, Not Jail
"More than half of Rikers inmates are affected by mental illness and almost 17 percent have a serious mental health diagnosis. Yet throughout New York State, there are 30 mental health courts, which can only serve 140 participants under the current system."

Opinion: We Need More Housing–Not More Cops–to Make Our Subways Safer
"We must work to end homelessness itself. This can be accomplished in two phases: immediately offering stabilization beds to New Yorkers living on the street, and providing permanent affordable housing."

Opinion: Make New York City a National Leader in Employment for People With Disabilities
"In 2021, nearly 17 percent of all working-age New Yorkers with a disability were unemployed—more than double the pre-pandemic level."

Una Ciudad Sin Límites

Dos años después de la pandemia, los estudiantes de inglés en Nueva York aún no se han recuperado
Había unos 145.723 estudiantes de inglés (ELL) -que representan el 13,3 por ciento de todos los estudiantes, incluidos los de edad escolar y preescolar- en las escuelas públicas de la ciudad de Nueva York en el año escolar de 2020 a 2021. Dos años después de que la pandemia afectara a la ciudad, hay varias áreas en las que los ELL no se han recuperado.

¿Qué cambia con el nuevo proceso de asilo propuesto por administración Biden?
Con el cambio, los funcionarios de los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS por sus siglas en inglés) serían los encargados de hacer la evaluación a los solicitantes de asilo en lugar de los jueces de inmigración en un plazo de 90 días.

Residentes de NYCHA podrán enviar quejas de mantenimiento al 311 bajo nueva ley, pero activistas quieren cambios más sustanciales
“Es hora de reconocer que los residentes de NYCHA son una parte integral de la ciudad. Al igual que otros inquilinos, deberían tener derecho a un acceso completo al sistema de aplicación de los códigos de la ciudad”, dijo un analista de la política de vivienda que pide que los inquilinos de NYCHA tengan acceso a los inspectores de edificios de la ciudad.