Government
2023 Look-Back: Our Biggest Stories of the Year
City Limits |
Heading into 2024, City Limits looks back at key stories and investigations from the last 12 months on New York City housing, homelessness, climate policy and more.
Government
City to Limit the Use of Criminal Background Checks in Screening Tenants
Jeanmarie Evelly |
The Fair Chance for Housing Act, passed by the City Council Wednesday, will limit the extent to which landlords, real estate brokers and other entities can factor in past convictions when considering a housing applicant—though the final bill is less expansive in banning the use of background checks than a version debated last year.
CITY VIEWS: OPINIONS and ANALYSIS
Opinion: How a Writing Program Helped Homeless New Yorkers
Dayse da Cunha and Susan Buttenwieser |
“When neighbors have the chance to connect across housing status, it makes all of us and our neighborhoods kinder and stronger. It allows us all to learn from each other and imagine a better world. Every one of us has something to offer in building a city where everyone feels welcome.”
Housing and Homelessness
Two Bills Targeting Illegal Rent Increases Await Their Fate
Emma Whitford |
The state Senate and Assembly passed a duo of bills in June aimed at helping rent stabilized tenants dig deeper into their rent histories to challenge suspicious increases. The governor has yet to act on them.
CITY VIEWS: OPINIONS and ANALYSIS
Opinion: Universal Housing Vouchers are Key to Ending a National Crisis
Rafael E. Cestero |
“Fully funding Section 8 to establish a Universal Housing Voucher program will clear the way to reduce spending on everything from health care to food security, and set a course to end this housing crisis.”
Bronx
Plan to House Formerly-Incarcerated Inches Forward in the East Bronx
Emma Whitford |
The “Just Home” proposal to house seriously ill people leaving jail cleared one of its final procedural hurdles at a heated public hearing, where locals repeatedly testified that they feared for their safety.
Housing and Homelessness
NYC Council Scrutinizes Barriers to Supportive Housing
Emma Whitford |
“How can the agencies make this process more streamlined for the applicant, easier to navigate, less given to subjectivity and less prone to error and discrimination?” asked Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala.
Housing and Homelessness
Broken Locks, Elevators: Council Probes Safety Concerns for Older Adults at NYCHA
Tatyana Turner |
Concerns ranged from the functionality of security cameras at developments to broken locks and entryway doors, as well as how elevator breakdowns impact tenants with mobility issues.
Government
Legislation Will Set Affordable Housing Targets for NYC Neighborhoods
Jeanmarie Evelly |
The so-called Fair Housing Framework, sponsored by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and passed unanimously by the Council Thursday, will task city agencies with creating a housing plan every five years that includes production targets for each of city’s 59 community districts—though stops short of mandating development.
CITY VIEWS: OPINIONS and ANALYSIS
Opinion: City Services are Tattered, and Mayor Adams is Prepared to Make it Worse
Harvey Robins |
“When Mayor Adams presents his budget Thursday, consider the choices he’s made and the impact on the working class and the services they rely on government to deliver. As a matter of leadership, he’s giving away the store. At some point, we need to begin a conversation finally about who pays what and who subsidizes whom?”
