THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | JUNE 20, 2024

HOMEWARD BOUND

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo’s OfficeColon.

Addabbo Partners with NHSQ to Offer Housing Assistance

By Forum Staff

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) earlier this month hosted representa-

tives from Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens at his District Office on June 6, 2024, to help constituents apply for Section 8 housing on a one-on-one basis by appointment only.

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) re-opened the waitlist for its Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program from June 3 – June 9.

“This is a small, but important, win-

dow of opportunity for those in need to apply for housing assistance,” Addabbo said. “That is why I am providing this important service so people can navigate this system which can be complicated at times.”

NHSQ was able to assist a number of individuals during the 6-hour event. Most of the constituents were excited to fill out the application as it was open for the first time in 15 years, according to NHSQ Community Outreach Coordinator Carlos Chacon, who was on-site helping that day.

Some of them had already been applying to other forms of affordable housing such as Housing Connect. They were curious about the difference in the applications between Section 8 and Housing Connect, Chacon said, and they had a variety of questions about eligibility and next steps.

“They were grateful to the senator’s office for this opportunity to let them come in, inperson to do so,” Chacon said.

Ariola’s Mission to Deliver Pet Supplies to area Shelters Continues

By Michael V. Cusenza

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola is on a mission: to deliver pet supplies to local shelters!

“Today we stopped off at the @meowsquadnyc headquarters with a load of food, treats, litter, pet carriers, and other supplies. Thank you so much to all who have donated. And we are also still very much accepting food and supplies for other shelters in our area as well. My office is open for drop-off Monday to

Thursday, from 9 AM to 5 PM. Any little bit helps!” Ariola posted to Twitter last week.

Ariola kicked off her mission with a pet supply drive that she set up in her Ozone Park District Office, located at 93-06 101st Ave.

“Through City Council funding, I’m able to provide some financial support to some of these groups, but I realize they need more, and they need it quicker than the bureaucracy of New York City can often deliver,” Ariola said.

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo

NHSQ Intern Jeremy Colon helps a constituent fill-out a form.

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo

“This is a small, but important, window of opportunity for those in need to apply for housing assistance,” Addabbo said.

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola Ariola stopped by @meowsquadnyc last week.

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola Ariola and staff dropped off a load of food, treats, litter, pet carriers, and other supplies.

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola Ariola started her mission to deliver pet supplies to local shelters with a rolling pet supply drive at her Ozone Park District Office, located at 93-06 101st Ave.

‘Cowards Hide Their Faces,’ Mayor Says of Mask Ban

By Michael V. Cusenza

Asked on Thursday about a possible new NYC mask ban, the mayor of our city didn’t mince words.

First of all, that's what cowards do. Cowards hide their face. Dr. King did not hide his face when he marched and for the things he thought were wrong in the country. Those civil rights leaders did not hide their faces. They stood up. In contrast to that, the Klan hid their faces. Cowards hide their faces when they want to do something disgraceful,” Mayor Eric Adams said on WABC-77’s “Cats and Cosby.”

“We removed the ban before because of COVID. I think that I agree with those who are calling for removal of the ban, not only for the protesters who are using vile language, but also criminal behavior. Remember late last year, I called for storekeepers to tell people before entering the store remove your mask. In our transit system, people have hid under the guise of wearing a mask for COVID to commit criminal acts and vile acts. I think now is the time to go back to the way it was pre-COVID, where you should not be able to wear a mask at protests and our subway systems and other places.”

Adams said the most pressing issue in NYC is hate.

“A city as diverse as New York and where we respect the right to peaceful protest has really eroded to the disrespect of private property. We saw what happened to the president of the museum, to some of the vile language. There’s one person who’s talking about he wish Hitler was still around,” Adams added.

“You don’t call for peace and you do vile actions. That is just really just disrespectful, it’s ugly. When people try to say that we don’t have a balanced approach, no one wants to see innocent children die as we see playing out now. New York City is a place where you protest peacefully. You don’t protest in the manner that we’re seeing on playing out by some who are participating now.”

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The City Council Common Sense Caucus issued a statement on reinstating anti-masking laws in New York.

“Taking a page out of the Ku Klux Klan playbook, criminals, anarchists, political agitators and professional protesters have been taking advantage of the pandemic-era suspension of our laws by using masks to conceal their identities while committing crimes, terrorizing our communities and creating chaos in our streets and subways. This is exactly why New York first enacted anti-masking laws hundreds of years ago, and why they need to be reinstated immediately.”

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia

“Criminals anarchists, political agitators and professional protesters have been taking advantage of” such suspensions, the Council Common Sense Caucus wrote.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia

The City suspended COVID-19 era laws first enacted hundreds of years ago.

Adams Administration Releases Competitive RFP to Reduce Asylum Seeker Costs

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday released a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) for companies and organizations to provide shelter and shelter-related services in response to the asylum seeker crisis.

The RFP seeks to solicit a range of vendors to support the next phase of the “Asylee Flex” program, ensuring continuity of operations and enabling the city to find additional efficiencies and reduce costs while diversifying vendors and subcontractors through the competitive bidding process.

The administration has already saved nearly $2 billion in asylum seeker spending by helping put migrants on a path to selfsufficiency with intensified case management while still reducing the household per-diem costs of providing care.

“Since April 2022, more than 200,000 migrants and asylum seekers have come to our city, seeking a better life for themselves and their loved ones and needing our care,” said Mayor Adams. “We’ve put care and compassion first throughout our response, and, as a result, no families with children have been forced to sleep on our streets — an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the hardworking public servants, contractors, and community-based orga-

The City on Tuesday released a competitive RFP for companies and organizations to provide shelter and shelterrelated services in response to the asylum seeker crisis.

nizations that are on the ground managing this crisis. We have also been managing the fiscal impact of this crisis, having already achieved nearly $2 billion in cost savings thanks to the creative thinking of our dedicated workforce. The RFP we’re putting out today will help us find even more savings, making sure we get the most out of every taxpayer dollar.”

Since May 2023, the city augmented its response to the influx of arriving asylum seekers with the addition of the “Asylee Flex” program, which quickly added scal-

able, cost-effective, humanitarian site inventory and services across multiple hotels in New York City and certain counties upstate. The program has been operating for 10 months and currently serves thousands of migrants across 26 hotel sites, including approximately 2,400 migrants across 13 sites in New York City, and 1,600 migrants in 13 sites located upstate. Most of the current program participants are families with children who are enrolled in local school districts and connected with local resources.

The new RFP requires potential vendors to submit executive summaries of their qualifications, detailed plans of action, references, and budget proposals, including detailed pricing information on staff members, shelter locations, and operations. It also includes a 30 percent minority- and women-owned business enterprise subcontractor utilization goal. The proposals will be evaluated for cost, experience, proposed approach, and organizational capacity, and awarded contracts will be for up to one year in length.

The selected vendor, or vendors, will be expected to provide services at existing sites, and possibly additional sites as directed by the city. The scope of work includes managing relationships with hotels, engaging with and maintaining open lines of communication with key stakeholders, as well as providing shelter, food, housekeeping, security, case management, laundry, and the coordination of additional services with no additional fee including legal, reconnection, travel, education, and donations.

Since this asylum seeker humanitarian crisis began, New York City has taken fast and urgent action — caring for more than 203,000 migrants and asylum seekers and opening more than 200 emergency shelters to provide a roof over their heads.

Courtesy of Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery

Adams Launches Let’s Swim NYC

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue today launched Let’s Swim NYC, a more than $1 billion capital investment in building, improving, and protecting New York City’s public pools over the course of five years (between Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2028).

This funding will mark the city’s highest period of investment in swimming infrastructure since the 1970s.

Through Let’s Swim NYC, the city is bringing needed funding to 39 pools, including building two brand new indoor pools and fully renovating three additional pools.

More than 60 percent of NYC Parks pools are less than one-quarter of a mile from a New York City Housing Authority campus and in communities with high Heat Vulnerability Index scores. Let’s Swim NYC is one of 10 strategic initiatives being announced in the Vital Parks for All plan, NYC Parks’ forthcoming plan to equitably strengthen the city’s health, environment, and communities through the city’s parks system. Vital Parks for All will focus investments in living infrastructure, including public parks, greenways, pools, playgrounds, wild areas, and recreation centers that host the civic life of the city and make communities healthier, safer, and more livable.

This summer, New Yorkers will be able to enjoy upgraded outdoor public pools in all five boroughs:

• A storia Pool in Queens will reopen after an approximately $19 million reconstruction, with a brand-new pool shell, deck, and lighting; state-of-the-art filtration and chemical treatment systems; and upgraded heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and electrical equipment.

• NYC Parks will open a fully-reno -

vated mini-pool at Edenwald Playground in the Bronx.

• New colorful concrete pool decks, new plantings for color and shade, new benches, fencing, and ADA ramps will greet visitors to John Jay and Sheltering Arms Pools in Manhattan and West Brighton Pool in Staten Island, all modeled after the Cool Pools initiative.

• L ess visible but vital renovations will keep pools operating smoothly, including new utility lines and HVAC systems at Betsy Head Pool in Brooklyn, Lyons Pool in Staten Island, and Highbridge and Jackie Robinson Pools in Manhattan that will ensure these free public amenities continue to serve generations to come.

As previously announced, the city is also building a new $147 million recreation center with an indoor pool at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans, Queens.

Beyond today’s major capital investment in the city’s pools, the Adams administration has also taken strong steps to combat a nationwide lifeguard shortage to ensure that as many of New York City’s pools and beaches can be open for safe swimming as possible this summer. In late May, an arbitration panel issued an award in the city's ongoing negotiations with the bargaining unit representing city lifeguards that will functionally pave the way for the city to be able to hire more lifeguards, allow more swimming capacity at beaches and pools over the coming summers, and improve operations of the city lifeguard program. Among other things, the award will allow the city to modify the qualification for lifeguards assigned to shallow water pools and modernize the vision requirements to be more in line with state regulations and industry standards. Thi s builds on the City’s agreement with District Council 37 (DC37) earlier this year to permanently improve the pay of City lifeguards to $22 an hour as of this summer, along with a $1,000 per year bonus for returning lifeguards.

The Pharmacist’s

GET AHEAD OF SEPSIS

Both the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO), have priority concerns regarding one of the biggest public health threats on the horizon, sepsis.

According to the CDC, at least 1.7 million adults in the United States develop sepsis each year, and nearly 270,000 die from it. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to an infection, damaging tissue and vital organs. Early symptoms can be like other serious conditions, such as a heart attack or stroke, making sepsis difficult to diagnose. For every hour treatment is delayed, the risk of death increases by 4–9%, and experts say that 80% of sepsis deaths could be prevented with timely treatment.

Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection, including COVID strains, can lead to sepsis.

National educational efforts like Get Ahead of Sepsis emphasize the importance of early recognition, timely treatment, reassessment of antibiotic needs, and prevention of infections.

Related educational efforts related specifically to antibiotic treatments, helping to improve antibiotic prescribing and use and ensures antibiotics remain effective in the treatment of common infections and sepsis, in order to help save lives.

There are four specific steps you can take to reduce your risk of sepsis.

1. Prevent Infections

• Talk to your healthcare professional about steps you can take to prevent infections that can lead to sepsis, including:

o Take good care of chronic conditions.

o Get recommended vaccines, since vaccinations prevent some infections, but do not cure sepsis.

2. Practice Good Hygiene

• Wash your hands

• Keep cuts clean and covered until healed

3. Know the Signs and Symptoms of Sepsis

• A patient with sepsis might have one or more of the following signs or symptoms:

o High heart rate or weak pulse

o Fever, shivering, or feeling very cold

o Confusion or disorientation

o Shortness of breath

o Extreme pain or discomfort

o Clammy or sweaty skin

• A medical assessment by a healthcare professional is needed to confirm sepsis.

4. ACT FAST

• Sepsis is a medical emergency. If you or your loved one has an infection that’s not getting better or is getting worse, ACT FAST. Get medical care IMMEDIATELY. Ask your healthcare professional, “Could this infection be leading to sepsis?” and if you should go to the emergency room.

Until next week...

Photo Courtesy of NYC PARKS

Astoria Pool in Queens will reopen after an approximately $19 million reconstruction.

Members of “Bully Gang” Convicted of Racketeering, Murder and Gang-Related Crimes

By Forum Staff

On Thursday and today, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Moeleek Harrell, Derrick Ayers, Franklin Gillespie and Anthony Kennedy on 21 counts of an eighth superseding indictment charging them variously with racketeering, murder, murder conspiracy, robbery, drug offenses, money laundering and bribery of state correction officers.

The defendants are members of a violent Brooklyn-based street gang known as the “Bully Gang,” which operated and committed crimes in and around Bedford Stuyvesant with a headquarters located at 1625 Fulton Street. However, many of the crimes described below occurred in Queens—including on Rikers Island.

Harrell was one of the founders and the leader of the Bully Gang; Ayers was a high-ranking member; Kennedy was a longstanding member; and Gillespie was a violent enforcer for the gang.

Tuesday’s verdicts followed a 13-week trial before United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan. When sentenced, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of life in prison and mandatory minimum sentences ranging from 15 to 55 years.

Ayers was convicted of murdering Jonathan Jackson, an associate of the ri-

also known as “K2,” to be mailed to inmates at Rikers, smuggled in by third parties, including correction officers and sold to inmates. Once inmates received the K2-soaked papers, they sold smaller quantities to other inmates at a substantial profit.

val “Stukes Crew” gang, at a gender reveal party for Harrell’s child on March 3, 2018, in Brooklyn. Gillespie was convicted of conspiring to murder Mike Hawley in April 2020 to prevent him from informing authorities about the murder of Paul Hoilett in Brooklyn on April 11, 2020. Hawley was murdered in Queens four days later, on April 15, 2020.

Ayers and Harrell were convicted of conspiring to murder Chris King, who had previously killed a Bully Gang member. King was stalked, including having his court appearances tracked, and was ulti-

mately shot outside a Queens restaurant. A woman who was with King at the time was also wounded. Both survived their injuries.

Finally, Harrell, Ayers, Gillespie and Kennedy were convicted of illegal possession, brandishing and discharge of firearms.

Harrell and Kennedy were convicted of conspiring to smuggle drugs into Rikers Island from at least 2019 until 2021. During that time, members of the Bully Gang arranged for papers and comic books soaked in synthetic cannabinoids,

Harrell, Ayers, Kennedy and Gillespie were convicted of a separate, years-long scheme to transport large quantities of drugs, including cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl, from New York and New Jersey to Maine, where members and associates of the Bully Gang sold the drugs out of stash houses. The narcotics were transported in vehicles equipped with concealed compartments, also called “traps,” that were professionally installed. Ayers was also convicted of running numerous “stash houses” in Maine, from which his underlings sold drugs on behalf of the conspiracy.

Harrell and Kennedy were convicted of participating in the Rikers Island drug trafficking scheme by bribing correction officers at Rikers. Harrell’s leadership of the gang continued even after his detention at Rikers, where he led a drug trafficking, bribery and money laundering scheme responsible for smuggling drugs into the jail through the use of co-conspirators and the payment of bribes to correction officers.

NY Woman Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Vaccine Card Fraud Scheme

By Forum Staff

Kathleen Breault pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiring to defraud the United States by fraudulently destroying over 2,600 COVID-19 vaccines and issuing a corresponding number of fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination record cards.

According to court documents, Kathleen Breault, 66,a midwife at Sage-Femme Midwifery PLLC (Sage-Femme),

an authorized COVID-19 vaccine administration site in Albany, New York, conspired to obstruct the government’s distribution of COVID-19 vaccines by providing COVID-19 vaccination record cards to individuals who were not vaccinated, including to minors who were at the time ineligible to be vaccinated and Canadian citizens who were not present in the United States when they were purportedly vaccinated. In addition to destroying COVID-19 vaccines and issuing fraudulent vaccination record cards, Breault and her co-

conspirators made over 2,600 false entries into a New York State database that tracked COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Breault agreed to repay more than $37,000 in restitution for the destroyed vaccines.

Breault pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and its departments and agencies. When sentenced, Breault faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of NY

Derrick Ayers

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of NY

Anthony Kennedy

Photo Courtesy of FBI.gov. The FBI is investigating the case.

Addabbo Mobile Office Comes to Five Queens Library Locations in June and July

By Forum Staff

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) is bringing his Mobile Office to library locations throughout his district through June and July.

“I know that not everyone can come to my district offices during normal business hours, which is why I am bringing my mobile office to a library near you,”

Addabbo said. “I believe that one of the most important parts of my job as an elected official is to hear from my constituents and engage with them on an individual level.”

The Mobile Office hours and locations are as follows:

Thursday, June 20, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. –7 p.m. – Middle Village, 72-31 Metropolitan Ave.

Thursday, June 27, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Forest Hills, 108-19 71st Ave.

Thursday, July 11, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. –7 p.m. – Woodhaven, 85-41 Forest Pkwy.

Thursday, July 18, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. –7 p.m. – Richmond Hill, 118-14 Hillside Ave.

Thursday, July 25, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. –

7 p.m. – Ozone Park, 92-24 Rockaway Blvd.

Addabbo said there would be plenty of opportunities for constituents to meet with him and discuss any personal or community-related issues that they may be facing.

For more information, contact Addabbo’s Office at (718) 738-1111.

Photo Courtesy of Google

Addabbo’s Mobile Office will be at Ozone Park Library on July 25.

Photo Courtesy of Google

Addabbo’s Mobile Office will be at Woodhaven Library on July 11.

Two Men Plead Guilty to Hacking into Law Enforcement Portal

By Forum Staff

On Monday, in federal court in Brooklyn, Sagar Steven Singh pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Marcia M. Henry to conspiring to commit computer intrusion and aggravated identify theft. On May 30, 2024, Nicholas Ceraolo, of Queens, pled guilty before Judge Henry to the same offenses. Singh and Ceraolo were charged in March 2023.

When sentenced, the defendants each face a minimum sentence of two years in prison, and a maximum of seven years.

Singh and Ceraolo belonged to a group called “ViLE,” the logo of which includes the body of a hanging girl. Members of ViLE sought to collect victims’ personal information, including social security numbers. ViLE then posted that information (or threatened to post it) on a public website administered by a ViLE member – an action known as “doxxing.” Victims could pay to have their information removed from or kept off the website.

Singh and Ceraolo unlawfully used a law enforcement officer’s stolen password to access a nonpublic, password-protected online portal (the “Portal”) maintained by a U.S. federal law enforcement agency. The purpose of the Portal was to share intelligence from government databases with state and local law enforcement agencies, and the Portal provided access to detailed, nonpublic records of narcotics and currency seizures, as well as law enforcement intelligence reports.

Singh wrote to a victim (Victim-1) that he would “harm” Victim-1’s family unless Victim-1 gave Singh the credentials for Victim-1’s Instagram accounts. In order to drive home the threat, Singh appended

Victim-1’s social security number, driver’s license number, home address and other personal details. Singh told Victim-1 that he had “access to [] databases, which are federal, through [the] portal, i can request information on anyone in the US doesn’t matter who, nobody is safe.” He added: “you’re gonna comply to me if you don’t want anything negative to happen to your parents.” Singh ultimately directed Victim-1 to sell Victim-1’s accounts and give the proceeds to Singh.

After Singh and Ceraolo accessed the Portal, they both acknowledged knowing that their conduct was criminal. Ceraolo

wrote to Singh: “were [sic] all gonna get raided one of these days i swear.” Later that day, Singh wrote to a contact that the “portal [] i accessed i was not supposed to be there not one bit.” Singh said he had “jacked into a police officer’s account” and “that portal had some f***ing potent tools.” Singh continued: “it gave me access to gov databases,” followed by the names of five search tools accessible through the Portal.

“The defendants called themselves ‘ViLe,’ and their actions were exactly that,” said Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace.

Hochul Announces 28-Percent Decline in Shootings

By Forum Staff

Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced continued progress in bringing down gun violence and awarded nearly $36 million to local law enforcement agencies to further reduce violent crime.

Shooting incidents with injury declined 28 percent during the first five months of 2024 when compared to the same period last year, as reported by police departments participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative.

The 28 percent decline reflects 218 shooting incidents with injury from Jan. 1 through May 31, 2024, compared to 303 incidents from Jan. 1 through May 31, 2023. Data for each of the 28 police departments participating in the GIVE initiative is available online. That data also shows the number of individuals shot in those incidents and the number of individuals killed by gun violence for the same period.

This marks the second consecutive year in which Governor Hochul has secured record-level funding for the GIVE initiative, which supports 28 police departments in 21 counties with the majority of the state’s population outside of New York City. The initiative uses evidencebased strategies to reduce shootings, save lives and combat violent crime. Information on the nearly $36 million awarded on

Thursday to local law enforcement agencies is available online.

In addition to the decreases in gun violence experienced in GIVE communities, the New York City Police Department reported declines in gun violence through June 9, 2024. When comparing the same timeframe in 2023, there were 41 fewer shooting victims and 39 fewer shooting incidents. New York State Police also seized

973 guns through May 2024, and the agency is likely on pace to exceed last year’s total of 1,463. The number of guns seized during the first five months of this year is more than those seized annually in 2018 (551), 2019 (528), and 2020 (517).

Index crimes in all seven categories –four violent (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and three property (burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft) – also de-

clined outside of New York City during the first quarter of 2024 when compared to the first quarter of last year. Preliminary data reported to the State by police departments and sheriffs’ offices showed a 10 percent reduction in total index crimes, a 6 percent decrease in violent crime; and an 11 percent decline in property crimes. Notably, these data showed a 10 percent decrease in larcenies and a 20 percent decrease in motor vehicle thefts. Reported felony crimes in New York City, meanwhile, decreased 2 percent through June 9, 2024.

The GIVE grant cycle runs from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, and state funding supports personnel, overtime, equipment, and technology. The state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) provides funding, technical assistance, and training through GIVE. This is the second year in which the initiative has supported 28 police departments, and district attorneys’ offices, probation departments, and sheriffs’ offices in 21 counties: Albany, Broome, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Dutchess, Erie, Jefferson, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Rensselaer, Rockland, Schenectady, Suffolk, Tompkins Ulster, and Westchester. GIVE funding totals $36,199,999, with DCJS awarding $35,937,910 in grants; the remaining is available to fund emerging issues identified by participating agencies.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of NY Singh and Ceraolo belonged to a group called “ViLE,” the logo of which includes the body of a hanging girl.

Photo Courtesy of Adobe

When sentenced, the defendants each face a minimum sentence of two years in prison, and a maximum of seven years.

Photo Courtesy of Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

“We’ve brought gun violence down to historic lows,” Gov. Hochul said.

Adams Administration Implements Tools to Address Housing Crisis

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión on Friday announced the implementation of two critically-needed tools to address the city’s housing crisis. The tools will incentivize the construction of multifamily rental construction through a new program called “Affordable Neighborhoods for New Yorkers” (485-x), which replaces the previous 421-a (16) tool, extends the 421-a (16) deadline for projects already underway, and creates a program to incentivize conversion of commercial buildings to affordable homes.

485-x Requirements

Affordable Neighborhoods for New Yorkers (485-x) will be implemented by HPD to incentivize the inclusion of permanently affordable and rent stabilized housing in new, multi-family construction projects. Affordability requirements include:

Rental projects with 150 units or more located in select areas, including Manhattan south of 96th Street, western Queens, and parts of Brooklyn, will require 25 percent of homes to be income restricted at a weighted average of 60 percent of area median income (AMI).

Rental projects citywide with 100 units or more will require 25 percent of homes to be income restricted at a weighted average of 80 percent of AMI.

Rental projects citywide ranging from six to 99 units will require 20 percent of homes to be income restricted at a weighted average of 80 percent AMI.

Rental projects between six and 10 units, outside of Manhattan can opt for a smaller benefit and permanently restrict 50 percent of units.

Homeownership projects outside of Manhattan with an assessed value of $89 or less per square foot and where homeowners agree to reside in the home.

Through the program, construction workers on large projects of 100 units or more will be guaranteed a minimum of $40 per hour. Workers on projects with 150 units or more built in select areas of Manhattan south of 96th Street, western Queens, and parts of Brooklyn will receive between 60 and 65 percent of prevailing wage or between $63.00 and $72.45 per hour, whichever is less, escalating at 2.5 percent per year. Across the city, building service workers in buildings with 30 units or more will receive prevailing wage.

The program also encourages new homeownership development in the outer

boroughs with changes from previous iterations of development incentives designed to encourage family-sized homeownership units.

All projects that intend to participate in 485-x must fi ll out HPD’s registration forms at nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/tax-incentives-485-x.page?utm_ medium=email&utm_name=&utm_ source=govdelivery. Potential applicants must register with HPD within six months of construction commencement. For projects that started construction after June 15, 2022 and prior to April 20, 2024, applicants must register within six months from June 14. HPD expects to officially launch applications for this incentive by the end of the year with the first approvals occurring in 2025.

Extension of 421-a

For new construction projects that commenced construction prior to June 15, 2022, the state budget also extended the completion deadline for qualifying projects seeking 421-a (16) tax benefits from June 15, 2022 to June 15, 2031. For projects that participate in this extension, this change also removed the controversial Options C and G, which allowed all affordable units in a project to be restricted at up to 130 percent AMI for projects that participate in the extension.

To participate in the extension, projects must submit a letter of intent form to HPD within 90 days of the form’s availability. HPD released the Letter of Intent form designating September 12, 2024 the last day to submit an intent to participate in the 421-a (16) extension. Applicants that do not submit within 90 days of Friday will not be eligible to apply for the 421-a (16) completion extension.

Supreme Court Overturns Bump Stock Ban

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams on Friday released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Garland v. Cargill, which overturned the federal prohibition on bump stocks — deadly devices that effectively convert assault weapons into machine guns. That prohibition was instituted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in 2018, following the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history in Las Vegas in 2017.

Bump stocks remain illegal in New York City.

“In October 2017, 60 people were killed and at least 411 more were wounded in the deadliest mass shooting in American history, where a shooter used bump stocks to turn his guns into automatic weapons that fired 800 bullets per minute. The Supreme Court’s decision today to overturn the bump stock ban will allow dangerous people to access these deadly devices once again,” Adams said.

“While these devices remain illegal in New York City, this decision — and the legacy of this Supreme Court — makes our country less safe. We need to dam every river that feeds the sea of gun violence, and here in New York City, we’re doing everything in our power to do just that. We’ve removed more than 16,000 illegal guns off of our streets in the last two years and invested nearly half a billion dollars in our Blueprint for Public Safety, which focuses on upstream solutions to prevent gun violence before

a shot is even fired. As a result, we’ve driven shootings and homicides down by double-digits in each full year of our administration.

“All the good work we’re doing, however, is undermined by this Supreme Court’s Second Amendment decisions, which collectively allow more dangerous weapons in the hands of more dangerous people, with fewer safeguards. We need Congress to step up and reinstate the prohibition on bump stocks before the next deadly mass shooting occurs.”

Photo Courtesy of NYC Mayor’s Office Cover of the “Get Stuff Built” report.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/WASR

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned the federal prohibition on bump stocks.

Photo Courtesy of NYC Mayor’s Office Adams and the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force released “A Blueprint for Community Safety” last year.

Legal Notices

Notice of Formation of JJY887 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 11/20/23. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to the registered agent of LLC: Bili Zhang, 7431 44 Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373, shuchenyu1@ aol.com. Purpose: any lawful activity.

2034 STANHOPE STREET LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/10/2024. Office: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 5 Oreilly Ct, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520. Purpose: any lawful act.

Bridgeport Enterprise LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/16/2024. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 33-38 156th St, Flushing, NY 11354. General Purpose

Allison Zheng LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 5/17/2024. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Registered Agent Solutions, Inc., 99 Washington Ave, Ste 700, Albany, NY 12260. General Purpose

Notice of Formation of FOUR LEAVES GROUP LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/21/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process to: 53 14 94th street, ELMHURST NY, 11373 Purpose: Any lawful activities.

Notice of formation of 130 BEACH 137 LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 2/27/2024. Office located in Nassau. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to:THE LLC, 140 BEACH 137TH STREET, BELLE HARBOR, NY, 11694, USA. PURPOSE: ANY LAWFUL ACTIVITY.

Notice of Formation of JIARU LIN LLC Arts of Org filed withSecy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/24/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. General Purpose

Notice of Formation of GARIFUNA FUTURIST INVESTOR CONSULTING GROUP LLC Arts of Org filed withSecy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/23/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. General Purpose

Notice of Formation of LITTLE MONSTERS GUESTHOUSE LLC Arts of Org filed withSecy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/26/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. General Purpose

A Notice of Formation of W & H United Capital LLC. Art. of Org. filed Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/13/2023. Office location: Queens County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: The LLC, 51-71 Codwise Place 2Fl, Elmhurst, NY 11373. Purpose: any lawful activity.

A Notice of Formation of 166 LAFAYETTE AVENUE LLC. Art. of Org. filed Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/30/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 166 LAFAYETTE AVENUE LLC 50-43 MORENCI LANE, LITTLE NECK, NY, 11362, USA. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of Senjun Pilates LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 5/16/2024. Office located in Nassau. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 43 Glen Cove Rd Ste B #171, Greenvale, NY 11548 Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of KOOBASE LLC

Arts of Org filed withSecy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/04/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. General Purpose

Notice of Formation of HV FLOATZ LLC Arts of Org filed withSecy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/29/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. General Purpose

Notice of formation of EDC MAX CLEANING SERVICES LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 01/20/2024. Office located in Nassau. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to:EDWIN ROSENDO RIVEROS CHAPARRO, 112-15 76TH ROAD APT 2, FOREST HILLS, NY, 11375, USA. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

2821 30TH AVENUE, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/15/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Richard Howard, 9 Sheila Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of 130 BEACH 137 LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 2/27/2024. Office located in Queens. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to:THE LLC, 140 BEACH 137TH STREET, BELLE HARBOR, NY, 11694, USA. PURPOSE: ANY LAWFUL ACTIVITY.

LADY BUBBLES LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/04/2024. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Charisma Chaitram, 12710 102nd Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11419. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

111-47 126 LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/6/2024. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Devi Lisa Hariprasad, Navindra Ramsaran, 111-47 126 St, South Ozone Park, NY 11420. General Purpose

57-01 Northern Boulevard Realty LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/23/2024. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Hochheiser & Akmal PLLC, 910 Franklin Avenue, Ste 220, Garden City, NY 11530. General Purpose

Notice of formation of OM TARE LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 5/13/2024. Office located in Nassau. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to:nTASI SHER[A 3115 68TH ST., WOODSIDE, NY, 11377, USA. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

WHITEPOINT VALET LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 5/13/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 16309 29th Ave Flushing NY 11358. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

KETONE RECORDS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/04/18. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to : Zenbusiness Inc.41 State Street, Suite 112 Albany, NY, 12207, USA Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

MANSTA’S CARD HOUSE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/04/18. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to : Zenbusiness Inc.41 State Street, Suite 112 Albany, NY, 12207, USA Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Pretect Solutions LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/7/2024. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Mr. Angelo Mottola, Claddagh/Pretect, 10-21 47th Rd, Long Island City, NY 11101. General Purpose

JLL 93 SOUTH COUNTRY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/01/18.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Lenny Pereira, 106-17 153rd Street, Jamaica, NY 11433. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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FRESH

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14 flavors of Frozen Yogurt • Sorbet • 9 Gelato Flavors

14 flavors of Frozen Yogurt • Sorbet • 9 Gelato Flavors

Over 50 Toppings • Belgian Waffles • Nutella Crepes

14 flavors of Frozen Yogurt • Sorbet • 9 Gelato Flavors

Over 50 Toppings • Belgian Waffles • Nutella Crepes

14 flavors of Frozen Yogurt • Sorbet • 9 Gelato Flavors

Fresh Acai & Pitaya Bowls • Coffee Cappuccino & Espresso • Nostalgic Candies • Chocolate Covered

Over 50 Toppings • Belgian Waffles • Nutella Crepes

Fresh Acai & Pitaya Bowls • Coffee Cappuccino & Espresso • Nostalgic Candies • Chocolate Covered

Over 50 Toppings • Belgian Waffles • Nutella Crepes

Strawberries • Chocolate Specialties

Fresh Acai & Pitaya Bowls • Coffee Cappuccino & Espresso • Nostalgic Candies • Chocolate Covered

Strawberries • Chocolate Specialties

Fresh Acai & Pitaya Bowls • Coffee Cappuccino & Espresso • Nostalgic Candies • Chocolate Covered

Strawberries • Chocolate Specialties

Strawberries • Chocolate Specialties