HCR Newsletter - January 2018

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January 2018

Governor Cuomo Outlines 2018 Agenda:

Realizing the Promise of Progressive Government

"New York believes that there is no future built through division - but only through unity."

~ Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo delivered his 2018 State of the State Address at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. The Governor's far-reaching 2018 agenda delivers on the promise of progressive government by advancing a slate of critical social and economic policies to improve the lives of New Yorkers.

Read the Full Announcement Here.

Governor Cuomo Outlines FY 2019 Budget: Realizing the Promise of Progressive Government

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled the FY 2019 Executive Budget, which continues the state's efforts to deliver on the promise of progressive government by protecting taxpayers against devastating federal action, strengthening the middle class, cutting taxes and making smart investments in New York's future.

Read the Full Announcement Here.

HCR Commissioner Visnauskas Gives the

New York Region State of the State Address in Queens

Commissioner Visnauskas

visited Downtown Jamaica, Queens to speak on topics such as, jobs, taxes, voting practices, and infrastructure, following Governor Cuomo's State of the State Address.

In 2016, Jamaica received a $10 million grant from the Governor's Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

“The economic strategy is working,” Commissioner Visnauskas said. “There’s the highest number of jobs in [state] history, with 8.1 million private sector jobs. Unemployment is down from 8.3 percent seven years ago to 4.7 percent today.”

Read the Full Announcement Here.

(Photo by Trone Dowd - Queens Tribune)

HCR Commissioner Visnauskas Expands Governor Cuomo's Program to Renovate "Zombie" Properties and Increase Homeownership in Schenectady

The Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) will help low- and middle-income residents subsidize and finance the purchase and renovation of vacant and distressed properties in Schenectady County.

Commissioner Visnauskas said, "We are so pleased to bring this innovative program to Schenectady County and build upon the Governor's investment in increasing affordable homeownership opportunities throughout New York."

Read the Full Announcement Here.

HCR Partners with Division of Human Rights,

Office for New Americans in ‘Know Your Rights’ Series

To make it clear that illegal housing discrimination and harassment against foreign-born tenants is not tolerated in our state, HCR is part of a robust education and outreach campaign to ensure that tenants and landlords are aware of their legal rights and responsibilities under federal and local fair housing and human rights laws.

At the most recent event, members of HCR’s Fair and Equitable Housing Office joined colleagues from the Division of Human Rights and the Governor’s Office for New Americans to inform more than 100 people at a forum in Brooklyn of their civil and tenant and housing rights – regardless of immigration status – and that services in English and other languages are available at no cost.

Additional resources on immigrant tenants' rights are available from HCR's Fair and Equitable Housing Office.

Capital Region

HCR and Rebuilding Together Saratoga County

Replace Manufactured Home Destroyed in Fire for

Town of Wilton Family

David Johnson and Elizabeth Millett, along with their three grandchildren, lost their home at 21 Nichols Road to a fire on March 27, 2017.

Rebuilding Together Saratoga County replaced the family’s manufactured home using approximately $95,000 in HOME Manufactured Housing Replacement funds.

Commissioner Visnauskas said, “We are so pleased that the Johnson family is safe and secure in their new home after enduring such a terrible loss."

Rebuilding Together Saratoga County Executive Director Michelle Larkin said, “ Thanks to the funding we received from the state, we were able to help the Johnson Family restart their lives with a new home."

Read the Full Announcement Here.

HCR & Rebuilding Together Saratoga Collaborate to Put Wilton Family in New Home for the Holidays

New York City

Construction Begins on The Grand, 138 Affordable and Supportive Apartments in Mt. Hope and University Heights

Governor Cuomo announced the start of construction of three multifamily rental buildings with 138 affordable apartments in the Bronx called The Grand . Forty-one of the 138 apartments in the three buildings will be set-aside for formerly homeless adults with a serious mental illness and will be permanently supported by rental subsidies and support services.

The Grand is the largest ground-up, low-cost tax-exempt bond deal developed by a minority-owned firm since Governor Cuomo took office.

Commissioner Visnauskas said, "The Grand is a reflection of Governor Cuomo's commitment to growth in the Bronx and a profound statement that when we build our city and our state, we include everyone in the process." Read More

Long Island

Construction Begins on 66 Mixed-Income Rental Apartments

with Access to Public Transit in Town of Southampton

Governor Cuomo announced the start of construction on a new affordable housing development that includes 11 multifamily rental buildings with 66 affordable apartments. The housing development, Speonk Commons , will be located near the Long Island Rail Road in an area with a variety of retail and commercial buildings, and will deliver high-quality, affordable homes for working families.

Speonk Commons consists of two scattered site developments.

Governor Cuomo said, "With easy access to public transit in Suffolk County, the new apartments will help these New Yorkers provide for themselves and their families, while supporting our efforts to establish a better, stronger Empire State for all." Read More

SONYMA Staff Attends Tenant And Homeowners Assistance Fair

in Brooklyn

SONYMA staff participated in the Tenant and Homeowners Assistance Fair organized by NYC Councilman Robert Cornegy, Jr. The event was held in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn at the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza. Staff met with future homeowners to discuss SONYMA’s low-interest mortgage products and programs.

Learn more about SONYMA.

HCR Awards Livingston County $100,000

to Establish First Craft Brewery in Livonia

The $100,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Economic Development award will allow the new startup, Rising Storm Brewing Company, LLC., to create a brewhouse, tap room, storage space, outdoor deck, and purchase machinery and equipment for brewing flagship, seasonal, and specialty beers. The state’s investment will leverage an additional $275,000 for the $375,000 project, and the company expects to create five full-time jobs over two years.

Commissioner Visnauskas said, “Breweries like Rising Storm play an important role in the effort to move Livingston County and the entire Finger Lakes Region forward.”