Housing

Neighborhood Notes on School Reopening, Alternative Vax App, Arts Recovery Funding

COVID-19 Updates Transmission Rates & Trends  As of August 9, all five New York City counties have community transmission considered substantial or high by the CDC. On July 27, the CDC issued an updated recommendation that all people, regardless of vaccination status, should return to wearing masks in indoor, public spaces in areas of high COVID-19 infection rates. To see the risk of transmission in your area, visit covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.   Delta Variant An internal CDC document leaked by The Washington Post revealed that further research proved that the Delta variant causes more severe illness than other variants and is as


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Bronxites Celebrate Dominican Heritage at Annual Dominican Day Parade

By SARAH HUFFMAN and MIRIAM QUIÑONES
The Bronx celebrated its many residents of Dominican heritage on Sunday, July 25, at the annual Dominican Day Parade which kicked off at the Grand Concourse and 172nd Street. The celebration brought together a host of Dominican Americans and Bronxites from all walks of life, many decked out in red, white and blue to honor the colors of the Dominican flag.   New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio and various elected officials, political candidates and community leaders led the parade behind a gigantic Dominican flag. Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY13), Bronx District Attorney, the Hon. Darcel Clark, State Sen. Jamaal.


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New Committee Elected to Bronx CB7 for Upcoming Year

By SARAH HUFFMAN
The election of the various officer positions to Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) for the upcoming year took place at the last general board meeting of the year on June 23. Most of the incumbent officers were re-elected, apart from one. In addition, four motions were passed on various, different matters. Most had already been reviewed at the board’s June 17 meeting, as reported.   Nominating committee chair, Sandra Erickson, gave each candidate a chance to pitch their candidacy to the board members at the beginning of the meeting before voting took place. Most positions ran uncontested, except for second


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Fordham Manor: Affordable Housing Lottery Launched, Deadline August 10

By SÍLE MOLONEY
An affordable housing lottery launched on July 22 for units at 2692 Creston Avenue, an eight-story residential building in Fordham Manor.   Designed by Gerald J. Caliendo, the structure yields 19,111 square feet and 16 residential units. Available on NYC Housing Connect are four units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $63,429 to $167,570. as reported by YIMBY.   Amenities include bike storage lockers, a recreation room, and a shared laundry room. Units include name-brand appliances and finishes, air conditioning, high-speed internet, energy-efficient appliances, and a patio or balcony.  


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Rivera: Landlords Have Sued Over 50 Families Per 1,000 Units in Fordham, Kingsbridge & University Heights

By SÍLE MOLONEY
State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33) is visiting tenant associations across District 33 in the Northwest Bronx in efforts to ensure eligible tenants apply to the New York State Emergency Rent Assistance Program (ERAP). ERAP was enacted as part of the 2021-2022 State budget which allocated $2.35 billion in federal funds to provide New Yorkers with relief to avoid evictions due to COVID-19.   As previously reported, through ERAP, households affected by COVID-19 can qualify for up to 12 months of past due rent, three months of future rent and up to 12 months of overdue utility bills. Individuals do


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The Legal Aid Society Calls on State Lawmakers to Extend New York’s Eviction Moratorium

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Legal Aid Society called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrew Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and other Albany lawmakers, on Monday, to extend New York’s eviction moratorium which is set to expire in just a few weeks on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, and protect New Yorkers against the highly contagious Delta variant.   This past December, Albany lawmakers enacted legislation that froze all eviction proceedings until March 1, 2021, and through April 30, 2021 for those tenants who submitted a hardship form with the New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA), as reported. Additional legislation was


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Belmont: Three Affordable Housing Units Available to Rent at 2265 Hughes Avenue

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Three affordable housing units at 2265 Hughes Avenue, a seven-story residential building in Belmont, are still available to rent through New York City’s Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) housing lottery, as reported by YIMBY.   Designed by John Saracco Architects, the structure yields 22,182 square feet and 16 residential units. Three two-bedroom units are available to rent for residents who earn 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $75,429 to $167,570. Amenities include solar panel energy, a shared laundry room, elevator, a recycling center, bike storage lockers, and assigned parking. Units come


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New Cherry Valley Supermarket Underway at New Bedford Park Affordable Housing Complex

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The next phase of development of a new affordable housing complex at 2856 Webster Avenue in the Bedford Park section of The Bronx is underway, as reported by YIMBY.   As previously reported by Norwood News, the Bronx will introduce a sprawling new grocery store operated by Cherry Valley Marketplace. The retailer has committed to guidelines established under New York City’s Food Retail Expansion to Support Heath (FRESH) program, which promotes the establishment and retention of grocery stores that dedicate required selling space to fresh, perishable food items in underserved communities.   Cherry Valley will continue to operate its existing


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Neighborhood Notes on Expanded Funeral Cost Reimbursement, Winding Down of Expanded Unemployment Benefits, Libraries Services Reopen & More

COVID-19 Updates Restrictions  COVID-19 restrictions are now lifted, as 70% of adults have received their first dose of the vaccine. New York State’s health guidance and industry specific guidelines are now optional across commercial and social settings. Effective May 19, New York State has adopted the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People for most businesses and public settings. See more information here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html. See New York’s guidance for implementing the new CDC recommendations on https://forward.ny.gov/.   Front Line Healthcare Workers Mayor Bill de Blasio announced this week that more than 40,000 workers in city-run hospitals and health clinics


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