The New York City Council has moved forward with an extensive legislative package this week, addressing topics like affordable housing, tenant protections, workers’ rights, and sustainability.
Supportive Housing for At-Risk New Yorkers
A major highlight was the approval of the Just Home initiative—a collaboration involving NYC Health + Hospitals and The Fortune Society. This effort will establish 83 new residences on the Jacobi Hospital campus in the Bronx, including 58 permanent supportive studios for formerly incarcerated individuals with chronic health issues and 24 affordable units distributed through NYC Housing Connect.
Speaker Adrienne Adams commended the program, calling it “crucial to public safety and addressing the housing emergency,” as described in a press release. The development will offer on-site social support and around-the-clock staffing.
Bolstering Tenant Protections
The Council passed legislation from Council Member Sandy Nurse widening the definition of tenant harassment to include unlawful evictions. The law also mandates the city’s housing department to review if a landlord’s record of illegal evictions should impact their eligibility for housing programs.
“Illegal eviction is a form of abuse, and our city’s definition of harassment should reflect that,” said Nurse.
Another measure, sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin, aims to increase enrollment in the Senior Citizen and Disability Rent Increase Exemption programs by mandating proactive outreach to tenants, landlords, and designated agents.
Expanding Worker and Community Benefits
The Council passed a bill extending permitted uses for earned safe and sick time, now covering childcare, caregiving, or disaster response. Greater transparency was also mandated for afterschool programs, with requirements for annual enrollment and demographic reports.
Council Member Kevin Riley, the bill’s sponsor, stated this will help families “access clear and transparent information on available programs.”
Climate and Sustainability Action
As part of Climate Week, Council Members approved three bills reshaping environmental policy. The new laws require that long-term sustainability plans include input from the Environmental Justice Advisory Board, that PlaNYC integrates energy and climate adaptation, and that penalties for stormwater pollution violations are raised.
Council Member James Gennaro said these steps move New York towards “a healthier, fairer, and greener future.”
Originally reported by NYC Newswire
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.