The New York City Council, this week, pushed forward a broad legislative agenda, focusing on affordable housing, tenants’ rights, worker benefits, and environmental initiatives.
Supportive Housing for NYC’s Most Vulnerable
A key measure was the passage of the Just Home project, a partnership between NYC Health + Hospitals and The Fortune Society. This effort will bring 83 new living units to the Jacobi Hospital campus in the Bronx—58 of which are permanent supportive studios for people leaving incarceration with chronic health conditions, and 24 designated as affordable through NYC Housing Connect.
Speaker Adrienne Adams applauded the plan, describing it as “essential to public safety and tackling the housing shortage,” per a press release. Supportive services and 24/7 staffing are included at the site.
Enhancing Tenant Safeguards
A bill advanced by Council Member Sandy Nurse now expands tenant harassment definitions to cover illegal evictions. Additionally, it requires the housing department to explore whether landlords who have illegally evicted tenants should be limited from specific housing initiatives.
“Illegal eviction is a form of abuse, and our city’s laws must recognize that,” Nurse said.
Another proposal from Council Member Julie Menin seeks to broaden awareness and enrollment for the Senior Citizen and Disability Rent Increase Exemption programs by implementing required outreach to tenants, landlords, and other involved parties.
Broader Worker and Community Support
The legislative body also approved new rules extending the use of earned safe and sick time—now applicable to childcare, family care, and disaster response. The Council also increased oversight for afterschool programs, mandating annual demographic and enrollment disclosures.
Council Member Kevin Riley, who championed this legislation, emphasized its importance for families seeking “easily available and understandable information on programming.”
Progress on Climate and Sustainability
During Climate Week, three new bills moved forward to enhance city environmental protections. These measures require feedback from the Environmental Justice Advisory Board in long-term planning, incorporation of resilience in PlaNYC, and higher fines for stormwater violations.
Council Member James Gennaro described the changes as advancing New York towards “a more resilient and sustainable city.”
Source: NYC Newswire
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