Mayors Public Engegement Unit

What's NEW at PEU!

March 2023

GetCoveredNYC team at a youth safety event with Mayor Eric Adams in Harlem

About the Public Engagement Unit (PEU)

The NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) uses community organizing principles to re-envision how the city provides services to its most vulnerable communities. Rather than expecting constituents to navigate a complex city bureaucracy to get the help they need, PEU adopts grassroots tactics to meet residents where they are — at their doors and on their phones, in their social media feeds, and in their communities. PEU combines this proactive outreach with comprehensive case management, and in doing so, builds long-term relationships between New Yorkers and their government.

Upcoming Events

Join us for GetCoveredNYC’s Virtual Information Session in Spanish

On March 7th at 2pm, we will host a discussion and Q&A session in Spanish about health care options for New Yorkers. RSVP here. Thank you to our partners NY State of Health, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), NYC Health + Hospitals, and The Human and The Resource Administration's Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access (OCHIA), for joining us in our upcoming virtual Town Hall in Spanish. We will be discussing health care options for New Yorkers and answering questions on March 7th at 2 PM! RSVP here.

En Español: Únase a la sesión virtual informativa de GetCoveredNYC

El 7 de marzo a las 2 p.m discutiremos las opciones de atención médica para los neoyorquinos y responderemos preguntas. Regístrese aquí.

Gracias a nuestros socios el Estado de Salud de la Ciudad de Nueva York (NYSOH), el Departamento de Salud y Salud Mental de la Ciudad de Nueva York (DOHMH), NYC Health + Hospitals y la Oficina de Acceso al Seguro Médico de la Ciudad por su ayuda en organizar una sesión de información virtual en español.

Free Application Assistance for Property Tax Breaks and Rent Freeze

There are programs available for eligible older New Yorkers and New Yorkers with disabilities. Get free in-person help from PEU Specialists in Queens to apply for property tax breaks or rent relief! You can also call our hotline to receive assistance in enrolling in these NYC programs: 929-252-7242.

GetCoveredNYC Event Round-Up

GetCoveredNYC has continued to connect New Yorkers to health coverage and health information. We continue our routine tabling efforts at libraries, community centers, and HRA offices in every borough. Stay tuned for our weekly social media roundup of GetCoveredNYC events, helping people find free health care support in-person here.

Team Wins

Tenant Support Unit Conducts Re-Knocks in Manhattan and the Bronx

As part of our ongoing outreach and case management efforts, our Tenant Support Unit (TSU) is following up with clients who have expressed interest in tenant support but who have been unreachable by phone. Our teams use this “re-knock” strategy to strengthen our relationships with New Yorkers and ensure their concerns are addressed. During these “re-knocks,” the team visits clients right at their door to make sure they’re getting the support they need.

The Tenant Support Unit (TSU) provides free information on tenants’ rights, assistance navigating housing-related issues, and connection to a range of resources, including the Tenant Resource Portal, anti-eviction legal assistance, and rent freeze and homeowner tax exemption programs. For more information on tenants' rights and the Right to Counsel, call 311 and ask for the "Tenant Helpline" or visit nyc.gov/TSU to learn more.

Tenant Support Unit Canvassing

Thanks to the team’s exceptional commitment and dedication, our Tenant Support Units’ newest wave of canvassing efforts is proving to be a huge success! We just completed a big section of the project and continue to strategically canvass apartments across NYC that are potentially facing harassment. Specialists are educating tenants on their rights, assisting them with 311 complaints, and connecting them to longer-term support if necessary. To connect, call 311 and ask for the "Tenant Helpline" or visit nyc.gov/TenantSupportUnit.

PEU Team Brings Resources To Community Events

Youth and School Safety Summit event: Outreach Specialists, Kathy, Bineta, and Orville from PEU’s GetCoveredNYC team were at a Youth and School Safety Summit and Resource Fair held at the Harriet Tubman Learning Center in Harlem, helping connect uninsured families to health insurance and eligible health care programs.

GetCoveredNYC provides free assistance for New Yorkers seeking to enroll in health care, regardless of immigration status or income. Our Specialists speak over a dozen languages and conduct outreach to proactively identify uninsured New Yorkers and help them get access to health care and other health-related benefits. Visit nyc.gov/GetCoveredNYC, call 311 and say "GetCoveredNYC," or text “CoveredNYC” (“SeguroNYC” en Español) to 877877 to connect!

Queens Borough President Partnership

- TSU and GCNYC attended QCP Western Town hall and Immigrant Resource Fair to talk about tenant rights and health insurance!

Celebrating Black History Month

Our team proudly joined many Black History Month Celebrations this month, including NYC Office of the Mayor's Black History Month Reception at Gracie Mansion, NYC Health + Hospitals Lincoln's Black History Celebration, and NYBG and Council Member Kevin Riley’s Black History Month Event. Black History Month may be over, but NYC’s Black History is NYC History all year long. We highlighted some of many Black history-makers throughout the month of February, learn about them here.

Women’s History Month

We will be posting stories of inspirational women during Women's History Month on our social media channels. Tune in to learn and stay updated!

SPECIALIST SPOTLIGHT

The Home Support Unit (HSU) conducts outreach to rental owners and brokers in order to identify vacant homes for voucher holders living in shelters. HSU supports owners and brokers throughout the lease-up process, improving their experience with rental subsidies so that they continue to provide units to voucher recipients in the future.

HSU Specialist, Yvonne, went above and beyond to assist a client who was seeking permanent housing for her and her three sons. The client was coping with the loss of her daughter due to sickle cell disease while also grappling with the same condition herself. Yvonne made it her business to continue to send the client at least two viewings per week until she found the right fit for her client and her three sons. Despite the challenges, Yvonne was there to check on the client’s health and made sure the client was at the viewings. The client saw many units week after week, until she found the perfect home for her family. The client was successful in finding and solidifying a 4 bedroom apartment with a 2 bedroom voucher pricing with the help of Yvonne. She was so very grateful and appreciative of the special attention given to her.

Learn more about leasing your apartment to voucher holders at nyc.gov/hsu.

HSU Specialists (second from right to left) at a Housing Preservation & Development Homeownership event with other PEU specialists.

TWEET OF THE MONTH

Eligible homeowners can apply for property tax breaks by March 15th!

Share this tweet

IN THE NEWS

GetCoveredNYC’s op-ed about health care resources for Arabic speaking New Yorkers was published here.

RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The 2023 Mayoral Service Recognition Awards celebrates volunteers and service members. Nominations for our four awards are open: AmeriCorps Alum Impact Award, Community Impact Award, Partnership Impact Award, and the Youth Impact Award! Your nonprofit or business can submit a request for certificates, signed by Mayor Adams and NYC Chief Service Officer Laura Rog, to recognize your organization (and your volunteers if you are a nonprofit). Nominations are due March 7, 2023. To learn more and nominate visit nycservice.org/msrp.

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is coordinating the City’s Annual Tax Season Initiative for the 21st season. See some tools you can use to help amplify NYC Free Tax Prep here.

New Yorkers can sign up online to receive digital communications directly from Mayor Adams with exclusive information about new initiatives and policies, local events, and more.

Mayor Adams signed legislation to close the pay gap for people with disabilities, honored Black History Month, and defended the Broadway show Parade from anti-Semitic attacks. Watch the last Week in Review video here.

This year, if you need assistance paying for your heating or electricity bills, there are programs that may be able to help. Learn about available support from the NY State assistance program, National Grid, and Con Edison. Plus, share this graphic about winter bills to get the word out!

Mental health counselors are available 24 hours a day to provide free support in many languages. You can contact them directly by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355), Text WELL to 65173 or Chat here: nyc.gov/nycwell.

NYC Fair Fares: Eligible New York City residents can get a 50% discount on eligible transportation. Help us to spread the word by sharing this HRA toolkit and check your eligibility at nyc.gov/fairfares or by calling 311.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is available to help you pay for broadband internet service! Qualifying New Yorkers (including all public school families) can receive up to $30 per month off their internet bill. You can learn more about and sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program here: GetInternet.gov.

There are more than 30 programs you or your family may be eligible for regardless of immigration status and even if you’re already receiving benefits or have a job. Use ACCESS NYC to find help in NYC with food, money, housing, work and more.

Walk-ins available for first and second doses of the monkeypox (MPV) vaccine, COVID vaccines and flu shots:

No appointment needed

Find a walk-in location: nyc.gov/vaccinefinder

Follow us on social media and learn about our programs and outreach on our website: nyc.gov/MayorsPEU

Connect with PEU:

Twitter: @MayorsPEU

Instagram: @mayorspeu

Facebook: @NYC Mayor's Public Engagement Unit

LinkedIn: /mayorspeu

Website: nyc.gov/MayorsPEU

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