for Public Housing

AG James Calls on Congress to Increase Funding for Public Housing

New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of 14 attorneys general in strongly urging Congress to invest in the nation’s public housing systems. In a joint letter to congressional leadership, Attorney General James and the coalition express concern that the $40 billion in funding for public housing allocated as part of President Joseph Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan — although a good start — is insufficient to address the years of neglect and underfunding towards the nation’s public housing systems. The coalition, instead, estimates that the nation’s public housing portfolio requires at least $70 billion for capital needs to return to a good state of repair, growing to $90 billion through 2030. Additionally, Attorney General James and the coalition urge the federal government to commit to providing a dedicated fund for Public Housing Authorities (PHA) that need lead abatement. “The right to safe and adequate housing is a human right, and our nation’s public housing stock plays a critical role in granting low-income families access to that right,” said Attorney General James. “But adequate housing requires adequate funding, and for far too long, our nation’s policy towards public housing has been one of neglect. The time for change is now. While $40 billion is a good start, it’s simply not enough. We are calling on Congress to renew its commitment to supporting public housing and the individuals that rely on it for stability by finally giving public housing the actual funding it needs and deserves.” Because of its reach and its ability to serve low-income families that might otherwise become homeless, public housing is a vital resource for cities, neighborhoods, and the 1.2 million families that call it home. In order to keep public housing units affordable for lowincome families, federal regulations cap rents at 30 percent of a family’s income. While this cap ensures affordability, the amount of rent collected by the nation’s 3,300 PHAs is insufficient to cover the costs of operating and maintaining the properties they oversee. When the federal public housing program was created in 1937, it was understood that PHAs would need ongoing operating and capital support from the federal government to close the gap between the rents charged to those in public housing and the actual cost of building operations and maintenance. The amount that each PHA is entitled to receive from the federal government is set each year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through a formula. However, it is Congress that appropriates money to these funds, and, in most years, the appropriation does not match the total amount that PHAs require for maintenance and operation under the formula. In recent years, especially, as Attorney General James and the coalition notes, the political will has not existed to fully fund the gap between public housing rents paid and the cost of building operations and maintenance. For example, the amount appropriated by Congress has only matched the need, as stated by HUD, twice between 2000 and 2018, and, in some years, the amount has been less than 85 percent of the need. Further, in the past 10 years alone, the Public Housing Operations budget has been reduced by nearly $1 billion. This has resulted in a massive backlog in necessary repairs and maintenance and has led to deteriorating and damaging conditions for the families living in public housing. In the letter, Attorney General James and the coalition call on Congress to allocate sufficient funds to address the repair backlog, a forward-facing commitment to fund capital funding gaps, and a dedicated fund for lead remediation. Specifically, the coalition also notes that HUD estimates that 62,000 public housing apartments need lead abatement, but the amount of funding made available to PHAs for abatement has been a mere drop in the bucket. For example, in 2019, $27.8 million was awarded to 38 public housing agencies, but these grants came out of funds, which are already insufficient to meet existing capital needs. Attorney General James and the coalition urge the federal government to commit to providing a dedicated fund for PHAs that need lead abatement to ensure the health and safety of children living in public housing. Joining Attorney General James in signing the letter today are the attorneys general of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Vermont, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.l

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Fair Housing/

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from research by Ann Choi et al. and reported in Newsday. The findings from the 3-year investigation revealed widespread unequal treatment of different minority groups by real estate agents on Long Island. According to the report, minority groups have different treatments—over 18% Asians, 35% Hispanics, and 48% Blacks. The report shows blacks go through the most discriminatory treatments as potential homebuyers and communities than other minority groups on Long Island. Interestingly, the Long Island's leading residential brokers contributed immensely to the racial separations. The report revealed that these brokers often directed their white customers toward whitedominated neighborhoods and directed the minority buyers to more integrated neighborhoods. These brokers also avoided conducting business in communities with a large minority population. According to her,"…sometimes, people think they are discriminated against, you have to do your work to be sure that you are seeking help from experts. She explained that although it is more difficult now, and first-time homebuyers especially are prone to making mistakes, having adequate information enables them to avoid making an expensive mistake. The panelists recommended resources that are useful in gathering the required data to help people navigate the treachery waters of homeownership. On the side of the government, there is a continuous effort to support an end to housing discrimination. Several campaigns to raise awareness are being sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The campaign under Biden's administration strives to recognize efforts to end housing discrimination by increasing awareness of fair housing rights in communities across the country and striving toward achieving racial equity. Consequently, it is essential to seek expert judgment, such as getting advice on your income level, knowing your housing rights, research resources. Relevant nonprofits and agencies such as the NYS Department for Human Rights Housing are good resources. After all, every person should live in a safe and comfortable home without fear of harm or intimidation. l

NYC to Pay $500 to Nearly 1,000 Parents to Address Mental Health Needs at Schools

BY ALEX ZIMMERMAN CHALKBEAT

The education department is launching a training program next month for parents, paying them $500 to become “wellness ambassadors” addressing mental health needs in their school communities. The initiative will pay the stipend to parent leaders from roughly 950 schools in neighborhoods hardest hit by the coronavirus, according to Adrienne Austin, an acting deputy chancellor who oversees parent outreach. She revealed a “sneak peek” of the plan Thursday to members of the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council. “We’re looking to support parent leaders in those schools to become ambassadors for wellness,” Austin told parents. The mental health toll on the nation’s largest school system this year has been enormous. Many families have suffered from job losses, increased food insecurity, and the death of loved ones. Parents have had to make difficult decisions about whether to send their children back to school buildings or keep them home full time. More than 70% of children opted to learn exclusively from home, but many of those who returned to buildings did so part time or experienced frequent shutdowns because of positive coronavirus cases. Parents have also had to juggle jobs on top of supervising remote instruction or scramble to find child care. Children have struggled with the isolation that comes with virtual learning and a dearth of opportunities to socialize. With many of those issues in mind, city officials have pledged to make mental health a priority for the coming school year including expanding the number of schools that partner with community organizations, hiring additional social workers, and conducting mental health screening when students return.

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‘We Don’t Want to Fail’

The new parent-facing program hinges on peer-to-peer support. Parent association leaders will be responsible for participating or selecting another parent to complete a four-part training between May and August focused on “traumainformed, healing-centered care.” In the fall, those parents will be expected to work with their schools to lead familyfacing sessions, officials said. “Students thrive when teachers and families work together, and this innovative initiative will bring our parent leaders into the mental health conversation and help amplify the important socialemotional work happening in schools,” education department spokesperson Nathaniel Styer said in a statement. “Whether in schools or at home, we want caring adults to have the tools to support our young people when they are in crisis.” Education department officials did not say how much the program will cost, but noted it will be fully funded by private dollars from the Robin Hood, Gray, and Tiger Foundations. Rasheedah Harris, a parent leader who helped develop a detailed proposal to address trauma and create more supportive school environments in The Bronx, said she sees value in involving parents in discussions about mental health. But she worries that parents like her, who have already been working with the education department on school climate and mental health issues, have not been sufficiently consulted. “A parent ambassador just sounds like they’re selecting a parent to do what? I’m not quite sure,” she said. “It doesn’t work if there’s no true community engagement and true community relations and understanding what families and school communities need.” Harris said she is eager to learn more about how the program will work, but noted it could be difficult to lean on parent leaders to provide mental health support at schools that don’t already have strong parent associations or other systems for involving parents. “It’s hard to do on this scale as fast as they want to roll out,” Harris added. “It’s something that we don’t want to fail at.”l

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization covering public education. This story was published on April 12, 2021 by THE CITY.

12 How to Make Your House More Eco-Friendly

BY CHRIS TOBIAS

Whether you want to save a little money on your energy bills or help to save the environment, making your house more eco-friendly is always a good idea. The following home improvement tips will allow you to do exactly that:

1. Use a smart meter

Energy costs can really eat into your budget — especially during the winter months when your home needs extra heating. One of the best ways to control your energy consumption is by installing a smart meter. This is a device that is programmed to regulate heating in the home and ensure that you only use as much energy as you actually need. A smart meter can turn the heating on when you most need it and off when you don't. This ensures that you don't leave the heating on unnecessarily and drive your energy bills up in the process.

2. Invest in LED lighting

There are a number of reasons why installing LED lighting is an excellent way to make your home more eco-friendly. First, LED lights are up to 80 percent more energy efficient than fluorescent lighting. Second, they have a longer life span which means less waste going into landfills. Third, they distribute light more evenly in a room which means more uniform lighting. Finally, they are not made from toxic materials which means that they do not contaminate nearby land and water sources when disposed of.

3. Install energy efficient windows

Install large and more energy efficient windows to let in more light and prevent heat loss from your home. Energy efficient windows are made from Low-E glass, polymer structural foam and other eco-friendly materials that ensure proper temperature regulation in your home. In addition, they are usually double glazed and paned in order to control the entry of UV rays which slows down the rate at which curtains and furniture fade.

4. Utilize low flow toilets

Low flow toilets use a significantly lower amount of water compared to regular toilets. The typical low flow toilet uses 1.6 gallons of water while a regular toilet uses 3.5 to 6 gallons of water per flush. The EPA estimates that you can save up to $2000 in water bills over the course of a low flow toilet's life span, in addition to helping conserve water and helping the environment.

5. Use Natural Environmentally Friendly Household Cleaners

Many people use a vast array of chemical-laden household cleaners and products around the home on a daily basis. What they may not be aware of is the fact that many of these chemicals can be damaging to their health when inhaled. Apart from the inhalation aspect, skin irritations often occur when coming into contact with many chemical cleaners. Many disinfectants contain phenol (aka carbolic acid) or cresol. These can attack the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, spleen, and pancreas. Many artificial air-fresheners releases nerve-deadening agents, which can interfere with your sense of smell. Natural aromatherapy oils would be a much safer bet. In a time when respiratory illnesses such as asthma are at an all-time high, we should be looking to a more natural and gentle way of keeping our homes clean.

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In Closing

Making your home eco-friendly doesn't have to be difficult. By following the advice laid out in this article, you will soon be the proud owner of a home that is cheaper to run and better for the environment.l

Pfizer, Moderna Say Booster Shots Probably Needed

BY RALPH ELLIS, WEBMD NEWSBRIEF

And David Kessler, MD, of the Biden administration’s COVID response team April 16, 2021: People who’ve received both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna coronavirus vaccines will probably need a booster shot this year, top executives for those two pharmaceutical companies said this week. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said people who’ve gotten both doses would likely need a third shot within 12 months and might need an annual shot thereafter. "There are vaccines ... like polio that one dose is enough, there are vaccines like pneumococcal vaccine that one dose is enough for adults, and there are vaccines like flu that you need every year," Bourla said on a CVS Health Live event, “Race to Vaccinate.” "The COVID virus looks more like the influenza virus than the polio virus." A top Moderna executive said the United States is in a good position to move into booster shots because of its vaccine rollout, whereas many other nations are still getting first vaccinations. "It is likely that the countries that have already achieved high vaccine coverage are going to be ready to shift their focus to boosters in 2022 and possibly even starting at the end of this year," Corinne M. Le Goff, PharmD, Moderna's chief commercial officer, said during a call with investors, Business Insider reported. Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel made similar comments to Business Insider this week. "I hope this summer to get the vaccine authorized for a boost so that we can help people getting boosted before the fall, so that we all have a normal fall and not a fall and winter like we just saw in the last 6 months," he said. Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky told CNBC in February that people may need to get vaccinated against COVID19 annually, just like seasonal flu shots. told a congressional committee on Thursday that Americans should expect to receive booster shots to protect against coronavirus variants, CNBC reported. “We don’t know everything at this moment,” he told the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. “We are studying the durability of the antibody response,” he said. “It seems strong but there is some waning of that and no doubt the variants challenge ... they make these vaccines work harder. So I think for planning purposes, planning purposes only, I think we should expect that we may have to boost.” The CDC says almost 126 million people in the U.S. (37.9% of the population) have received one dose of vaccine and that 78.4 million people (23.6% of the population) are fully vaccinated. Earlier this month, Pfizer said studies show its vaccine is 93.1% effective 6 months after the second dose. Moderna said studies show 90% effectiveness in its vaccine after 6 months. l

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Domestic Violence Calls for Help Increased During the Pandemic – But the Answers Haven’t Gotten Any Easier

BY TARA N. RICHARDS & JUSTIN NIX THE CONVERSATION

lence after stay-at-home orders in five Experts expected the increase in Women Act which provides resources U.S. cities and one county: Cincinnati, domestic violence victims seeking help and legal protections for women who sufOhio; Montgomery County, Maryland; last year. Victims and their children were fer domestic violence. HR 1620 is curDomestic violence rose globally in 2020 – so much so that doctors have called it “a pandemic within a pandemic.” The National Commission on COVID19 and Criminal Justice, a team of national experts tasked with assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the justice system, recently estimated that in the United States, domestic violence incidents increased 8.1% on average following stay-at-home orders. Worldwide, the United Nations estimates there was a 20% increase in domestic violence incidents across its 193 member states during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns. We are criminologists with expertise in domestic violence and policing, respectively. To understand whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted calls for help for domestic violence in the U.S., we examined short- and long-term trends in 911 calls about domestic vioNew Orleans, Louisiana; Phoenix, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Seattle, Washington. In five of the six places – all but Cincinnati – pandemic stay-at-home orders increased domestic violence-related 911 calls. But 911 calls tell only part of the story about how the pandemic affected calls for help for domestic violence. Another forthcoming study shows that emergency hotlines that provide crisis support to victims of domestic violence also saw a sharp uptick in calls. In five of the seven cities we examined – Baltimore, Maryland; Cincinnati; Hartford, Connecticut; Salt Lake City and St. Petersburg, Florida – emergency hotlines experienced an increase in calls in early March 2020. We estimate that because of the pandemic, the emergency hotlines collectively received 1,671 more calls from March to October 2020 than they would have if not for social distancing during the pandemic. forced to spend more time with their abusers. They were cut off from support systems like school, work and church. Times were stressful and uncertain. And when the pandemic is over, victims of domestic violence and their children will continue to need help. Pandemic makes victims’ plight worse According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four women will experience domestic violence victimization in her lifetime. Women stay with abusers because they have nowhere else to go. In the best of times, women who experience domestic violence face an increased likelihood of being unemployed or underemployed, struggle to find safe and affordable housing and face a higher risk of eviction. Since women make up two-thirds of the lowest-paid workers in the U.S., those who seek to leave an abuser may have little chance of moving out. The COVID-19 recession has put more rently awaiting consideration in the Senate. Among other provisions, HR 1620 would prohibit firearms purchased by individuals convicted of domestic abuse or stalking. Firearms are used in 3.4% of intimate partner violence incidents – meaning over 4.5 million women will be threatened with or victimized by domestic gun violence in their lifetime. When guns are used during domestic violence incidents, the attack is more likely to be deadly than if the abuser uses some other type of force. Changing the system Meanwhile, highly publicized incidents of police violence have led to widespread calls to redefine what police do and how they do it. In the midst of the increase in calls for help by victims of domestic violence, “reimagining policing” could include women in this precarious, dangerous discussions of how police and victim position. They comprise the majority of service agencies can better use data to employees in child care, fast food, clean- support coordinated community responsing services and hair and nail salons. es to domestic violence. Women in these jobs were always strug- For example, police often hold mistakgling to pay their bills and support their en beliefs about domestic violence. families, but because of COVID-19, their Studies show many officers believe that jobs are disappearing altogether. responding to domestic violence calls is Housing authorities and landlords often unusually dangerous when in fact, our have “zero-tolerance” crime policies – so research shows that officers are signifiwhen a victim of domestic violence calls cantly more likely to be assaulted or 911 to seek help, they risk being evicted. injured when responding to nondomestic And since eviction records can make incidents. people ineligible for public housing, this Law enforcement agencies might conleaves fewer options to escape abusive sider offering more training to police on relationships, continuing the cycle of vio- domestic violence incidents, eviction lence and trauma for women and their prohibitions for victims and traumachildren. informed interviewing techniques. There are federal and state protections While victim service agencies are against evicting victims of domestic vio- important for what’s called safety planlence, but few victims are able to secure ning – where abuse survivors brainstorm their housing rights. with advocates about how to stay safe in a future crisis – police are still the main Help for the future responders for crisis intervention and The economic problems associated with welfare checks. domestic violence have never been easily While much attention has rightly or quickly solved. The pandemic may focused on the increase in calls for help well mean even fewer women will be for domestic violence during the height able to leave their abusers. of COVID-19, the pandemic has also In the years ahead, these victims and highlighted longstanding limitations in their families will need significant finan- responses to victims when they seek cial, legal and housing support. help. The problem isn’t new – it’s just In March, Congress approved a US$1.9 getting bigger.l trillion stimulus bill, which included $24 billion to help stabilize the child care industry, $15 billion for child care subsidies and $450 million for domestic violence services. This money will undoubtedly help some victims leave their abusers. More recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1620, a reauthorization of the Violence Against

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Tara N. Richards is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Nebraska Omaha

Justin Nix is an Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Nebraska Omaha

Raising Big Dreamers

Pre-pandemic, Take Your Child to Work Day was an opportunity for children to peek behind the mysterious veil of “work” – to see what their parents do all day and begin to dream about the careers they might like to pursue when they grow up. For some parents, every day might feel like Take Your Child to Work Day. For others, health and safety concerns might make it impossible to bring children to their workplaces. That doesn’t mean it’s any less important to take some time to help your children imagine turning their passions into careers. “Children need exposure to the possibilities that exist so they can envision themselves doing what inspires them in the future,” said Content Architect Rashelle Chase from KinderCare Learning Centers’ education team. “Learning about different career options also helps children learn about how the world works and the different types of roles and systems that are in place to help society function.” Consider these tips to help you infuse some of the Take Your Child to Work Day spirit into everyday life.

Expose your children to a variety of

career options. Young children tend to think of careers in terms of the kinds of jobs they see adults doing, like doctors, firefighters and teachers. Help your children discover careers that are new to them. Talk about essential workers and why they are depended on so heavily. Share details about the work your immediate and extended family members do –perhaps you could arrange a virtual call so your children can see a family member at work. Point out other kinds of workers as your child encounters them, whether that’s during a walk around the neighborhood or while reading a book.

Help your children imagine turning

their passions into careers. Not every block builder turns into an architect. Some go into construction, some into engineering and some pursue other careers entirely. When children express an interest in a specific career or type of work, help them think about the kinds of skills they could work on now to help turn that dream into a reality. Help your children make connections between the things they like to do now and the kinds of careers that could lead to. Maybe there’s an activity or volunteer experience your children could do, or a club they could join, that would help nurture that passion and expand their skillset. Break career stereotypes. Point out diverse people doing jobs as you see them in the community or in books or media – like female firefighters, male teachers or biracial female vice presidents – and talk about the diverse viewpoints and experiences each person can bring to his or her career. Be active about squashing gender stereotypes whenever you see or hear them. Encourage your children to pursue their ambitions and let them know you believe in them and their ability to succeed in whatever career they want.

Help your child to see “work” and “jobs” as positive things, especially

after rough days. Be honest about the struggles and successes you have in your own career. Celebrate your successes and talk with your children about how you problem-solve or persevere through tough times. Model coping skills your children can apply to their own “job” –school. It’s important for children to understand one can still find fulfillment and passion in a career even if there are tough moments.l(FamilyFeatures)