A Crown Heights building in limbo could inspire more landlords to deregulate through demolition—or more tenants to fight to stay in their homes.
Government
Local Law 97’s ‘Mediated Resolution’ Clause Gives Too Much Leeway for Exemptions, Lawyers Say
Mariana Simões |
The Dept. of Buildings has the power to offer a mediated resolution to landlords who don’t comply with the city’s building emissions law, bypassing fines if they promise to get back on track. But lawyers fear the provision leaves the door open for DOB to evoke it too freely, and question whether the agency has the staff capacity to monitor such deals.
Education
How Climate Change is Hitting NYC Public Schools
Mariana Simões |
More than a quarter of the city’s public school buildings are currently at risk from extreme stormwater flooding, according to an analysis by the Comptroller’s Office shared with City Limits. Teachers, students and environmental groups are pushing for more weather-resilient schools.
Health and Environment
En las carpas para inmigrantes de la ciudad, enfermedades y envejecimiento plantean desafíos
Daniel Parra |
“Parece un coro de tos en esa carpa”, dijo Luis Zambrano, de 62 años, quien contrajo neumonía este invierno mientras se alojaba en el complejo de carpas del refugio en Randall’s Island, donde la ciudad ha alojado a miles de inmigrantes recién llegados. “El frío que pasa a través y debajo del catre no se va ni con varias cobijas, así que siempre tienes frío durmiendo”.
Health and Environment
In City’s Tent Shelter for Immigrants, Illness and Aging Pose Challenges
Daniel Parra |
“It looks like a coughing choir in that tent,” said Luis Zambrano, 62, who came down with pneumonia this winter while staying at the shelter complex on Randall’s Island, where the city has been housing thousands of newly arrived immigrants. “The cold that passes through and under the cot doesn’t go away with several blankets, so you are always cold sleeping.”
Citywide
‘Why Are You Making It So Difficult’? NYC Cash Aid Applicants Face Denial Surge
Emma Whitford and Patrick Spauster |
The volume of cash assistance applications in New York City has increased dramatically in recent years. But as more households receive aid, the city is also issuing more procedural denials, in the hundreds of thousands.
Economy
Lawmakers Plan to Reintroduce Deforestation Bill Vetoed Last Year
Mariana Simões |
Gov. Hochul tried to water down a bill that sought to stop companies that have contracts with the state government from contributing to tropical deforestation. Now, lawmakers plan to reintroduce the bill and fight for its integrity.
Government
‘Me siento derrotada’: Expiran los plazos para acoger a familias inmigrantes y el sistema se resquebraja
Emma Whitford, Mariana Simões, Daniel Parra, Belle Cushing and Jeanmarie Evelly |
Mientras que la administración de Eric Adams ha estado emitiendo plazos en refugios para inmigrantes adultos durante meses, y para algunas familias con niños en hoteles como parte de una iniciativa separada, los desalojos del martes fueron los primeros en aplicarse a familias con niños siguiendo la política de la alcaldía.
Government
‘I Feel Defeated’: Shelter Deadlines for Immigrant Families Expire, as System Frays
Emma Whitford, Mariana Simões, Daniel Parra, Belle Cushing and Jeanmarie Evelly |
While the Adams administration has been issuing shelter deadlines to adult immigrants for months, and to some families with kids in hotels as part of a separate initiative, Tuesday’s evictions were the first to apply to families with children under City Hall’s broader policy, which officials say is an effort to manage more than 168,500 new arrivals since 2022—69,000 of whom remain in the city’s care.
Government
Environmentalists’ 2024 Albany Agenda? Making Polluters Pay
Mariana Simões |
Government officials estimate it will cost nearly $44 billion to fulfill the state’s climate law, which aims to stop powering the state with polluting fossil fuels and reduce 85 percent of greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2050.
Brooklyn
‘No es el sitio, sino donde está ubicado’: familias inmigrantes navegan primeras semanas en refugio de Floyd Bennett
Daniel Parra |
City Limits habló recientemente con varias familias sobre cómo era vivir en el refugio, el primer centro de acogida en el que la ciudad ha colocado a un gran número de familias inmigrantes con niños. Todas se quejaron del frío que hacía en las tiendas, de la lejanía y de la inaccesibilidad.
