Housing Lottery Launches for Units at 516-518 East 147th Street in Mott Haven

By SÍLE MOLONEY

An affordable housing lottery has launched for units at 516-518 East 147th Street Apartments in Mott Haven. The adjacent four-story, mixed-use developments are designed by Shahriar Afshari, and yield seven units each with community facility space on the ground floor, as reported by YIMBY. Available on NYC Housing Connect are six units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $63,429 to $139,620. Units will have air conditioning, dishwashers, and name-brand appliances and finishes. Residents will also have access to a shared rooftop terrace. At 130 percent of the AMI,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The COVID-19 pandemic hit the Bronx harder than any other borough by several measures, according to an economic analysis released on June 8 by the New York State comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli, with one finding showing that only 61.3 percent of households had reliable internet, compared to a range of 69.5 to 78 percent across the city, as previously reported by Norwood News. To address this, the comptroller’s office reported that as part of a recent deal, the City expects fiber-optic infrastructure to reach 500,000 new households citywide (no deadline was specified), including households in Norwood, Fordham, University Heights, Bedford

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The State Assembly and State Senate have passed legislation (A1508) to allow seniors living in cooperative apartment buildings to apply for “reverse mortgages,” a type of loan currently available to homeowners that transfers built-up home equity into cash. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), who was one of the legislators to introduce the bill, announced the news on Friday, June 11, as the Legislature broke for the summer recess. According to bankrate.com, a home equity loan is a lump-sum loan that’s secured by home equity. Quickloans.com defines equity as the difference between what a person owes on their mortgage and

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

A jam-packed agenda extended the May Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) general board meeting to just under two hours. Much of the meeting, held on May 25, was spent going over the nominations for incoming officer positions for the upcoming year, including chairperson, first vice chair, second vice chair, third vice chair, treasurer, and secretary. Several motions were also passed, including those relating to requested letters of support from the board to different city agencies and elected officials. Each year, during the general board’s May meeting, nominations are made for new officer positions, and the final vote is

By SÍLE MOLONEY

A public hearing for Bronxites on property tax reform will take place on Monday June 14. In 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson established an advisory commission to develop recommendations to make the City’s property tax system simpler, clearer, and fairer. City officials said they did so while ensuring there was no reduction in the revenue used to fund essential City services. In early 2020, the Commission released a preliminary report, which included ten initial recommendations for property tax reform. The preliminary report also included a brief history of New York City’s property

Mass Vaccination Sites All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first come first served basis. In addition, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments for eligible New Yorkers. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or by calling (877) 829-4692. COVID-19 Testing Sites For a full list of COVID-19 testing sites, text “COVID TEST” to 855-48 or go to: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page. Reopening New York City There have been numerous

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing little girl who lives just outside the border of Fordham Heights on Webster Avenue, in the 48th Precinct. Madyson, Camilo, 7, of 2038 Webster Avenue, Apt#3N in the Bronx was last seen on Tuesday, June 1, at 3 p.m., running away from NYC Health & Hospitals/Jacobi, located at 1400 Pelham Parkway in Morris Park, in the 49th precinct. She is described as female, Black, approximately 4 feet tall, weighs about 50 pounds, has a thin build, medium complexion, brown eyes and black hair. She was last

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Melanie E. La Rocca announced on Tuesday, June 1, that teams of DOB enforcement inspectors will be deployed across the five boroughs to perform safety sweeps on “the city’s larger and more complex construction sites,” to ensure they are safe for both workers and the public. DOB officials said that when performing these “zero tolerance” sweeps, DOB inspectors will issue enforcement actions if they observe any safety violations, and will shut down sites if they find serious safety lapses. “Our inspectors and community engagement teams will also be distributing “Worker Alert” safety information

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Applications are now being accepted, as of June 1, for the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). According to government sources, the program will provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance. There are no immigration status requirements to qualify for the program. New York residents are eligible for ERAP if they meet all of the following criteria: Household gross income is at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). These income limits differ

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Housing

Housing Lottery Launches for Units at 516-518 East 147th Street in Mott Haven

State Comptroller Releases Economic Report on The Bronx

Dinowitz Bill Allowing Seniors in Co-Ops Access to Home Equity Loans Passed by Legislature

Bronx CB7 May General Meeting Sees New Officer Nominations & Veterans Fare Discounts

June 14 Bronx Public Hearing on 10 Preliminary Recommendations re Property Tax Reform

Webster Avenue: Search for Missing 7-Year-Old Girl

DOB Pledges Zero Tolerance, Announces Sweep of Construction Sites for Safety Violations

Applications Open for Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Irrespective of Immigration Status