Vol. 57 No. 50
Saturday, December 10, 2022
HCR Approves 7.5% Carrying Charge Increase Effective Jan. 1. 2023 BY ROZAAN BOONE
The NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) has approved Riverbay’s application for a 7.5% increase in monthly carrying charges effective January 1, 2023. The Commissioner’s Order, which is published at right, comes after a 30day comment period and a virtual carrying charge conference held last Thursday evening, December 1, 2022, which shareholders were able to join by video or phone to offer comments and ask questions of HCR representatives. Approximately 29 shareholders participated in the conference. At the Dec. 1 carrying charge conference, Denise Snyder, HCR’s Homes & Community Manager, informed shareholders that HCR was reviewing Riverbay’s application dated October 13, 2022 for a carrying charge increase, taking into consideration comments submitted by shareholders and those collected at tion on the application. The HCR Commissioner’s Order of December 8, 2022, states that “on considering the entire record, from which it appears that owing to causes beyond the control of the applicant, there have been and will be substantial increases in the cost of operation of the development, including, but not limited to, the increased cost of maintenance and operating expenses; and that the present maxand to make other necessary and authorized expenditures,” ... “I, therefore, order and direct the said applicant to increase the maximum average monthly room utilities, effective January 1, 2023.” The Order states that the increase authorized is “not in excess of the minimum amount necessary to enable the housing company to make the payments required to be made by the provisions of the Private Housing Finance Law.” (Continued on page 2)
FDA Amends EUA To Include Updated Covid-19 Vaccine for Children Under 5 HPD Reps Answer Questions, Explain Process at SCRIE Workshop
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ORDER OF THE COMMISSIONER OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL HCLP-81 RIVERBAY CORPORATION, hereinafter referred to as the “applicant” visions of Article II of the Private Housing Finance Law, subject to the supervision of the Commissioner of the New York State Division of Housing velopment known as Co-op City in the City of New York, County of Bronx, State of New York. that the present carrying charges be increased because the present carrying cient to enable it to meet the payments required to be made by the provisions of the Private Housing Finance Law. Notice and application, together with the Division of Housing and Comcharge increase could
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NYC City Council Holds Initial Hearing on Fair Chance Housing Act BY BRANDON ORTIZ
The Civil and Human Rights Committee of the New York City Council held an initial hearing on Thursday Dec. 8, to discuss the Fair Chance Housing Act. The bill, if passed, would prevent landlords from denying an applicant hous“prohibit housing discrimination in rentals, sales, leases, subleases, or occupancy agreements in New York City, on the basis of arrest record or criminal history,” according to NYC City Council records. “Landlords, owners, agents, employees, and real estate brokers would be prohibited from obtaining criminal record information at any stage in the process,” the bill’s summary goes on to say. Applicants would also be protected from any “adverse action” based on their past criminal history or arrest record. In other words, landlords could not unfairly alter their application process in order to bar a particular applicant from being accepted. Building owners and landlords can still inquire about applicants from the NY sex offender registry. However, the owner or landlord would be required to send a written notice about the inquiry to the respective applicant. Then, the applicant has three days to withdraw their application if they choose to do so. The law would also make it illegal for any advertising, applications or publi(Continued on page 2)
Holiday Tree Lighting On Saturday, December 3, more than 300 people attended the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Workshop facilitated by the NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), administrator of the program for Mitchell-Lama residents. This program was supported by the Riverbay Board of Directors and Riverbay Fund. The HPD SCRIE Workshop was held in Room 31 of the Bartow Center starting at 10 a.m. and although advertised to run until 2 p.m., was extended to 3 p.m. in order to accommodate everyone. Sonia Feliciano, President of the Riverbay Board of Directors, who was on-hand to assist at the Dec. 3rd Workshop, said: “The SCRIE workshop was a successful event. Our residents were empowered by the information given by the SCRIE representatives. Residents came away with a greater understanding of the process and all the information needed to apply. It was a very successful workshop.” During the session, HPD representatives gave detailed explanations of SCRIE eligibility, how the exemption is calculated, timelines and other pertinent information. Those with questions were able to ask them and receive responses. First Vice President of the Riverbay Board of Directors and president of the Riverbay Fund, Claudia Sampson, also provided hands-on assistance at Saturday’s Workshop. “The HPD-SCRIE Workshop exceeded everyone’s expectations and underscored an important need that met the moment,” said Director Sampson. idents seeking help with understanding the daunting SCRIE process and completon or after January 1, 2023.”
Photos by P.M. Campbell
On Thursday December 8, Riverbay Corporation held their annual tree lighting. Set in front of the Bartow Mall, the program was made possible by Councilmember Kevin C. Riley and Senator Jamaal T. Bailey. Pastor Sam Colón of the Circle of Christ Church opened the celebration with a prayer saying, “[W]e celebrate this event… as a remembrance that this is the beginning of the season of giving…giving love, giving forgiveness, giving peace, giving everything that we lack in this world”. Following Pastor Colón, Riverbay General Manager (Continued on page 4)