Preview - NYC Community Affairs Unit Update 12.12.2022

Dear New Yorker,

Stay safe! New York City is facing high levels of COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The New York City Health Commissioner issued an advisory which strongly urges New Yorkers to wear masks in public indoor settings and crowded outdoor settings.

Stay healthy! The flu vaccine and COVID-19 boosters are our best protection against serious illness and complications. It’s safe to get both vaccines at the same time! To find a location near you: nyc.gov/vaccinefinder.

Shop small! As New York City gets into the holiday spirit, we encourage New Yorkers to #ShopYourCity this gift-giving season and support the small businesses that make this city unique!

For the latest updates, please follow CAU on Twitter and Facebook, and be sure to check out the Mayor’s ‘Week In Review’ video below!

All the best,

Fred Kreizman

Commissioner, Community Affairs Unit

Key Updates:

Need assistance on your latest construction project?

Now small business owners and entrepreneurs can use the Small Business Help Form to get one-on-one guidance on planned or ongoing construction projects, including inspections, permits, and general advice. DOB’s new Small Business Support Team (SBST) will handle the inquiries and project applications coming from our City’s small business community. Whether opening a new place of business or renovating an existing one, owners and entrepreneurs can get the dedicated support they need.

Contact SBST through the Small Business Help Form to get your project to completion and your business up and running faster. For additional resources and support, contact the NYC Department of Small Business Services' NYC Business Express Service Team (BEST).

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The kindergarten application is open! Apply by January 20, 2023. This year you can add G&T programs to it, too!

In New York City, children enter kindergarten in the fall of the calendar year they turn five, and are guaranteed a kindergarten seat at a public school. Once your child starts kindergarten, they can remain at the same school until its final elementary grade. Watch our video series to learn more about kindergarten admissions.

Need an elementary school for your child now?

Learn if your child has a zoned school by entering your address at schoolsearch.schools.nyc(Open external link) (this website includes schools' contact information) or by calling 311.

Contact your zoned school directly to enroll.
If you don't have a zoned school, contact schools of interest directly or visit a Family Welcome Center for help finding a school.

Smoke-Free Housing

A 100% smoke-free building is one where smoking and vaping anything (including tobacco and cannabis) is prohibited in individual apartments, as well as common indoor and outdoor areas. Some smoke-free buildings may allow smoking or vaping in a limited outdoor area.

You can find a list of smoke-free buildings in the city through SmokeFreeHousingNY.

Learn more about the Smoke-Free Air Act and how it affects housing by visiting the Fact Sheet for Tenants and Landlords of Residential Buildings.

Benefits

Everyone benefits from smoke-free housing:

For owners, there is less property damage and lower turnover costs. A 2014 poll of city voters found that nearly 70% wanted to live in smoke-free housing.

For residents, the air is cleaner and healthier in their homes, as well as in common areas, such as hallways, lobbies, elevators, laundry rooms, and stairwells. Smoke-free policies can also help people quit smoking.

Keep swimmers safe next summer by becoming a lifeguard!

Take the qualifying test this month and protect New Yorkers. More info: http://nyc.gov/parks/lifeguards

In case you missed it:

.@mayorsCAU and our colleagues in government visited @SBHBronx's Health & Wellness Center. Thank you for the work you do to promote health and wellness in the #Bronx! 🍎🏋️
Explore the programs offered, including the teaching kitchen & fitness center: https://t.co/Vq2XQJx13J pic.twitter.com/xS9AyrZbzC

— Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) December 8, 2022

.@mayorsCAU Senior Citizens Liaison visited Tompkins Park Senior Center in #Brooklyn to deliver holiday greetings and provide safety tips during the holiday season. pic.twitter.com/uVwZmLwSLL

— Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (@mayorsCAU) December 8, 2022

Highlights From the City Hall Press Office:

Domestic Worker Mediation Program Launched: Mayor Adams announced the launch of a new Domestic Worker Mediation Program, created to help the city’s approximately 18,000 domestic workers and their employers resolve workplace issues in a respectful, confidential, and free way without going to court. Mediation — which benefits both workers and employers — is voluntary and available to resolve workplace issues related to unpaid wages and overtime, paid safe and sick leave violations, and retaliation. The program builds on Mayor Adams’ commitment to ensure that New York City’s domestic workers — those who work directly for a private household, like housecleaners, nannies, or other care providers — are offered the support and resources they need to thrive.

“Get Stuff Built” Sets Goal of 500,000 New Homes: Mayor Adams unveiled "Get Stuff Built," a comprehensive, three-pronged effort to address New York City's affordable housing crisis and underlying housing shortage by rapidly accelerating the pace of housing production, with a "moonshot" goal of meeting the need for 500,000 new homes over the next decade. Led by a new report titled "Get Stuff Built," Mayor Adams' plan focuses on building housing faster, everywhere, and together in partnership with New York State, the New York City Council, and New Yorkers in all five boroughs.

Mayor & Governor Announce Supportive Housing Development in the Bronx: Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul announced that construction has begun on a $72.1 million affordable housing development in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx. Bedford Green House II will create 46 affordable apartments for families and seniors and 70 supportive apartments for families, individuals, and seniors experiencing homelessness. The development will also house a 2,410-square-foot medical clinic offering services to residents and the wider community.

Additional Resources:

Food Help NYC: Free food locations including food pantries & soup kitchens.

NYC Well: Free, confidential mental health support in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. Call 888-NYC-WELL or text “WELL” to 65173.

Mental Health For All: A comprehensive hub with helplines and services that offer a range of free, direct support to meet the needs of all New Yorkers.

Buildings After Hours: Free in-person information session with DOB staff every Tuesday from 4 PM to 7 PM at your local borough office.

Notify NYC: Enroll for free in New York City’s dedicated emergency public communications program.

311: Non-emergency municipal services available online, by texting 311-692, or by calling 3-1-1 from within the City or 212-NEW-YORK outside the five boroughs. TTY service is also available by dialing 212-504-4115.

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Mayor's Office--Community Affairs
253 Broadway 9th Fl
New York, NY 10007
United States

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