Preview - What's New at PEU - August

Hello neighbors and friends –

As summer rolls on 🌞, we're improving access and support across NYC. In this month’s newsletter, we're highlighting important resources like new eviction protections and healthcare coverage for DACA recipients.

Plus, we're shining a spotlight on our Home Support Unit (HSU), working closely with brokers and property owners to create more housing opportunities for voucher holders living in shelters.

In a New York state of mind 🗽,

The Public Engagement Unit

Top 4️⃣ Resources We're Sharing this Month

Good Cause Eviction

New York State's Good Cause Eviction law grants added protections to tenants living in unregulated NYC homes. Learn more about Good Cause Eviction and access support here.

Citi Bike Discounts

NYC residents eligible for $5 monthly memberships include NYCHA, JCHA, and HHA residents, as well as SNAP recipients. Enjoy unlimited 45-minute rides on classic bikes and reduced ebike rates with no annual commitment.

Essential Plan Expanded

From August 1, 2024, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients in NY State with incomes of up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Line will be able to qualify for the Essential Plan, which offers comprehensive healthcare coverage, including doctor's visits, hospital care, screenings, prescriptions, dental, and vision benefits.

Summer Meals

The Free Summer Meals program provides free breakfast and lunch at schools, parks, pools, libraries, and food trucks in all five boroughs from June 27 to August 30, 2024. Find a pick-up location near you.

Program Spotlight:

Moving Shelter Residents into Permanent Housing

With NYC's vacancy rate at just 1.4%, ensuring housing for those in shelters is increasingly difficult. That is why PEU’s Home Support Unit is forging strong partnerships with brokers and property owners to help move more New Yorkers into permanent stable homes

Last week, our team joined Mayor Adams as he announced back-to-back record years for creating and connecting New Yorkers to affordable housing.

Thanks to our Home Support Unit Specialist Yvonne and Ms. Nunez, a partner from an NYC brokerage firm; the mayor presented new apartment keys to a New Yorker they had worked together to house. Allen is a 61 year old with significant history in New York City’s shelter system and last week, thanks to the tireless efforts of Yvonne and our network of brokers, he moved into his new permanent home.

Yvonne works at our Home Support Unit (HSU), which partners with real estate brokers, rental owners, and property managers to rent vacant units to New Yorkers receiving rental assistance. In doing this, we find new housing opportunities for those exiting shelters and save the City tens of thousands of dollars each year for each family or individual who moves into a new home. Navigating the voucher ecosystem can be complex and intimidating. That’s where we come in: to bridge the gap between the housing market and bureaucratic government systems.

New York State licensed real estate brokers are force multipliers in our city’s historically tight rental market. Brokers regularly vouch for vouchers to property owners, connecting them to qualified tenants and assisting with all aspects of the lease-up process. By linking up Ms. Nunez and her brokerage to DHS housing providers, Yvonne didn't just find one unit for Allen: together, they matched over 40 shelter families in Allen’s new apartment building alone.

HSU Specialists like Yvonne provide one-on-one concierge services for our real estate partners. Working with HSU promises brokers right-sized viewings with logistic support, paperwork review, inspection assistance, magnified marketing and recruitment of prospective qualified tenants, and help to navigate City government. These services are on top of the benefits that come with vouchers, which often include a broker’s incentive of 15% of annual rent.

We demystify the system for brokers and property owners so they know what is expected of them and can avoid unnecessary delays. We send a monthly newsletter keeping real estate subscribers informed of new policies and voucher developments: sign up for the HSU newsletter here. We also recently released a new apartment checklist to help prepare for HRA inspections.

Want to get in touch? Contact HSU here.

PEU - WHO ⭐ Staff Spotlight

Meet Mike Luat, a member of our Tenant Support Unit (TSU)!

Tell us about your work at PEU

I’ve worked at PEU’s Tenant Support Unit for about 9 years, before that I was a preschool teacher in California. I live and work in Queens. I do this work to provide resources to NYC tenants and assist my neighbors in any way possible. I believe that as a government, we need to be on the ground, providing services for people who need it most. Hear more from Mike here about the importance of representation in government.

What types of support do you and your team provide New Yorkers?

I always tell people: We’re here to serve you, provide you with your rights as a tenant, to assist you in necessary processes for repairs in your home or in housing court, or if you’re having issues with late rent. To give you an example, one of my most recent clients was on the brink of eviction when she contacted our team – her landlord had just filed for a Marshall to remove her from the apartment. Luckily, we helped her apply for a housing voucher to help cover her rental costs, as well as a sum to help cover her unpaid past rent. We helped prepare her for her day in housing court and in a twist of fate, the judge halted the eviction proceedings. She is now living securely in her home.

About 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.

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