CITY VIEWS: OPINIONS and ANALYSIS

Opinion: Public Banking is a Win for New York’s Tenants

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“As tenants who have suffered under aggressive landlords funded by predatory lenders, we urge our lawmakers to support the creation of public banks, mission-driven to provide affordable financing to responsible buyers of multifamily dwellings.” Adi Talwar444 East 13th Street in the East Village, formerly owned by notorious landlord Rafi Toledano

CityViews are readers’ opinions, not those of City Limits. Add your voice today! Signature Bank’s sudden collapse has revealed what many of us in the housing justice movement already knew: The bank’s business model relied on speculative and often predatory practices in the name of maximizing profits.As tenants who have suffered under aggressive landlords funded by predatory lenders, we urge our lawmakers to support the creation of public banks, mission-driven to provide affordable financing to responsible buyers of multifamily dwellings.We have seen Signature’s speculative and predatory business model up close. In May 2015, Signature Bank and Madison Realty Capital (MRC) underwrote loans to Rafi Toledano who purchased a portfolio of buildings in the East Village and Chelsea.

Economy

City Looks to Expand Support for Entrepreneurs Who Call NYCHA Home

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Niani Taylor, who lives in Brooklyn’s Van Dyke Houses, is among the small but growing number of NYCHA residents who report income from self-employment. Advocates say the Housing Authority could foster more entrepreneurs by expanding initiatives like its Business Pathways program, which helped Taylor grow her catering company. “I put my all into it.”

Government

As NY Budget Drags On, Pressure Builds to Negotiate Tenant Protections

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Gov. Hochul’s plan to ramp up construction across the state has emerged as a sticking point in delayed budget talks—making now the time, some lawmakers say, to push for the deal to include renter protections like “good cause” eviction. “You try to resolve some thorny issues within a final budget if you can,” said Manhattan Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal.

Government
right to counsel rally

What Would It Take To Fully Fund Right To Counsel For NYC Tenants?

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“It’s a complicated question,” said Rosalind Black, citywide housing director at Legal Services NY, which aids tenants under the landmark city initiative to provide free representation to low-income New Yorkers facing eviction in housing court. Though the results have been overwhelmingly positive, the program has never been funded to cover every eligible tenant. 

Education

Programa de cuidado infantil finaliza en junio y los padres solicitantes de asilo se preocupan por sus planes para el verano

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El programa “Promise NYC” tiene la intención de ayudar a las familias inmigrantes cuyo estatus migratorio las hace inelegibles para otra asistencia de cuidado infantil financiada por el gobierno federal. Pero el programa que ofreció cuidado subsidiado para 600 niños está programado para terminar en junio. “La verdad no sé qué voy a hacer”, dijo una madre soltera con un hijo de 7 meses que hace parte del programa.