May 27, 2021

Breaking Ground on Game-Changing Projects

Bronx Point and the Universal Hip Hop Museum

On May 20th, we joined Mayor de Blasio, fellow City agencies, development partners, and a number of illustrious guests to celebrate Bronx Point, a transformative mixed-used development that will bring 542 affordable homes, including 82 for formerly homeless New Yorkers to the South Bronx and provide a permanent home for the Universal Hip Hop Museum, an early childhood center, a STEM education space, retail, and the Bronx Point Esplanade, an extension of the nearby Mill Pond Park.

Broome Street Development

And on Tuesday, May 25th, we celebrated the groundbreaking for the Broome Street Development, a mixed-use intergenerational community on the Lower East Side. Led by the Chinese-American Planning Council and Gotham organization, this development will provide 208 permanently affordable homes across two buildings, including more than 100 dedicated to senior New Yorkers. The project also include community facility space for both the Chinese-American Planning Council and Beth Hamedrash Hagadol Congregation.

Protecting Homeownership

Homeowner Help Day

On Saturday, May 15th, we launched the expanded Homeowner Help Desk with community leaders and elected officials from the federal, state, and local levels in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn. Volunteers canvassed the neighborhood with information about the Help Desk’s resources to help homeowners avoid deed theft and scams and access free legal, financial, and counseling services from trusted community organizations. Our CBO partners hosted additional virtual events for Central Brooklyn, Southeast Queens, and the North Bronx, the target geographic areas for the Help Desk. Learn more about the Help Desk here.

HomeFix

This month, we completed our first HomeFix project to help Cathy, a Canarsie homeowner make critical home repairs. Cathy, a retired public school teacher, received a $50,000 no-interest, forgivable loan to complete critical rehab work, including a roof replacement, structural work, and installation of new windows. Under YOUR Home NYC – the Mayor’s comprehensive approach to helping New Yorkers get, afford, and keep their homes – programs like HomeFix and the Homeowner Help Desk will be critical to preventing displacement, maintaining housing quality, and stabilizing communities as the City works towards recovery. Learn more about Cathy’s experience with HomeFix here.

Supporting M/WBEs and Non-Profits

On May 18th, HPD held its first networking event for M/WBE and Non-Profit Marketing Agents through our new Pathways to Opportunity program. A partnership with LISC, Enterprise, and Goldman Sachs, this program provides free training for M/WBEs and non-profits interested in expanding their presence in the growing affordable housing marketing agent industry. REBNY, NYSAFAH, and Goldman Sachs tapped their networks to invite experienced developers and property managers to meet with the first cohort of marketing agent trainees, and we thank them for their commitment to expanding opportunities for M/WBEs and non-profits in this growing industry!

Connecting New Yorkers to Critical Resources

Emergency Broadband Benefit

As a part of the universal broadband movement to help more New Yorkers get connected to reliable internet, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is offering an Emergency Broadband Benefit, a temporary emergency discount on internet service and devices during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City is helping to raise awareness about these funds, which will be allocated to qualifying households on a first-come, first serve basis. Interested New Yorkers can apply here.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

This week, the Governor announced that the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will be open for applications starting June 1st at 9AM. The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will provide assistance to New York City households who are behind on their rent. Eligible low- to moderate-income households can get up to 12 months of their back rent paid, 3 months of future rent if applicable, and qualified utility arrears. Both tenants and landlords can apply – payments will be made to the landlord, and tenants will be notified of any payment made on their behalf.

Help us get the word out! Flyers and social media graphics are available for your use. During the first 30 days of the program, New York State is prioritizing households that meet certain criteria. After the first 30 days, applications for all eligible households will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as funds remain available. Individuals do not need to have a lawful immigration status to qualify. Interested tenants and owners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

For more information about how to apply, and to find out if you or your tenants qualify, visit the New York State ERAP webpage. There are also community-based organizations helping New Yorkers apply across the five boroughs, listed on the NYC HRA/DSS website.

Louise Carroll
HPD Commissioner

Louise Carroll HPD Commissioner