Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers - OPENING WAITING LIST

The MHACY has announced that pre-applications are available on their website at MHACY.org and at several community locations throughout the City.

Applications must be returned to MHACY no later than July 13, 2022 to be eligible for a lottery to be held August 2 and 3 to select 3,000 applicants to add to the existing waiting list.

To qualify, a household's income may not exceed:

 Family size - Maximum

1 person - $48,550

2 people - $55,450

3 people - $62,400

4 people - $69,300

5 people - $74,850

6 people - $80,400

7 people - $85,950

8 people - $91,500

Click here for English Application

Click here for Spanish Application

Electric and Gas Utility Bill Credit Program for Income Eligible Families

 GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES ELECTRIC AND GAS UTILITY BILL CREDIT PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

 

$567 Million Made Available to Help Low-Income Customers Pay Off Past Utility Bills 

More Than 327,000 Low-Income New York Households to Directly Benefit  

Bill Reduction Plan Wins Broad Support from Consumer Groups and Other Stakeholders

  

Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that a total of $567 million is available to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills. The financial assistance program includes an estimated $557 million statewide COVID-19 bill credit program for low-income customers adopted today by the New York State Public Service Commission. Under the bill credit program, the PSC is leveraging the $250 million from the FY 2023 Enacted State Budget to require utilities to provide a one-time credit to customers enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program that will eliminate unpaid utility bills that have accrued through May 1, 2022. The program also authorizes the same relief for any eligible low-income customers that enroll in EAP by December 31, 2022.

"It's unacceptable that far too many New Yorkers are at risk of having their lights shut off for failure to pay their utility bills due to financial problems caused by the pandemic," Governor Hochul said. "To address this, I partnered with the State Legislature to appropriate $250 million toward reducing the burden of utility arrears. Today's action by the Public Service Commission builds on the budget appropriation and is a major step forward to help vulnerable New Yorkers maintain their utility services while they get back on their feet."

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant financial hardship to low-income customers and resulted in the shuttering of businesses and widespread loss of jobs. The number of customers that have unpaid utility bills and the total dollar amount of unpaid utility bills has risen considerably since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, and this bill credit program provides financial relief to the most vulnerable residential customers in order to help them avoid having their utility services terminated for non-payment. More than 327,000 low-income New York households will directly benefit from the program.

Under the bill credit program, all State assistance available for utility bill assistance will be coordinated to ensure maximum benefits to ratepayers and to avoid duplication of efforts. This includes relief available to low-income customers from the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Emergency Rental Assistance Program to reduce unpaid utility bills, estimated at $100 million, coupled with $250 million from the New York State budget appropriation directed to utilities to eliminate pandemic-related unpaid utility bills for low-income households.  Utility shareholders have provided more than $36 million in contributions to benefit ratepayers.  The bill credit program is estimated to cost the major utility ratepayers $181 million after they are allocated their share of the budget appropriation, and customer credits and shareholder contributions that reduce the program cost are applied.

This one-time, low-income utility bill credit, which will be applied to affected customers' bills by the utilities, requires no action by existing low-income customers enrolled in the EAP to receive the benefit.  The bill credit is expected to be applied to customers' accounts by August 1, 2022. PSEG Long Island and the municipal utilities have been allocated $10.4 million of the $250 million appropriated in the budget to be used for the bill credit program for low-income customers. The PSC anticipates a future proposal by consumer groups and stakeholders to address the substantial increase in unpaid electric and gas utility bills for remaining residential and non-residential customers resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the overall work to reduce unpaid electric and gas utility bills, Governor Hochul recently launched a new initiative between OTDA and the major utilities to identify more low-income households to enroll in the EAP program, which provides utility bill discounts that save participating households hundreds of dollars per year on utility costs. Any newly eligible low-income customer that enrolls in EAP before December 31, 2022 will be included in the bill credit program.

New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, "Given the financial challenges many New Yorkers are experiencing from the pandemic, Governor Hochul has stressed the importance of policies to help consumers and has placed equal priority in the effective implementation of those policies. This program is innovative in design, and we are very proud of the staff team for ensuring the assistance will be delivered effectively and timely to those who need it."

The bill credit program for low-income customers is supported by the Public Utility Law Project, the Utility Intervention Unit of the Department of State, Citizens for Local Power, the American Association of Retired Persons, and the Long Island Power Authority, which oversees PSEG Long Island.

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, "While our state's economy continues to rebound, one thing is painfully clear -many low-income New Yorkers are still struggling to pay down utility bills accrued during the public health crisis. In addition to providing immediate relief to households enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program, this effort will help identify many others qualified for and in need of assistance. This program, along with many others designed to bring relief to struggling households, demonstrates Governor Hochul's continued commitment toward helping all New Yorkers overcome hardship brought by the pandemic."

State Senator Roxanne Persaud said, "This utility bill credit program approved by the Public Service Commission will certainly help many Energy Affordability Program-enrolled customers. I'm happy that the PSC is expanding upon the $250 million we included in this year's budget for utility arrears relief.  Many New Yorkers continue to struggle paying utility bills accumulating throughout the pandemic."

Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal said, "Families across New York State are increasingly cash-strapped, trying to pay off utility arrears accumulated during the pandemic while also keeping up with rent and the cost of putting food on the table to feed their families. In this year's budget we fought hard to ensure funding would be made available to low-income families to help eliminate utility arrears, and I'm proud that the new utility bill credit program builds on this investment to provide more than $550 million in relief. More than 327,000 low-income households will soon see their utility arrears reduced or eliminated, protecting them from having their utility services terminated. This investment will go a long way in helping New York families get back on their feet and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic."

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Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov
New York State | Executive Chamber |press.office@exec.ny.gov | 518.474.8418

Child Care in Westchester County: New Head start, Early Head Start and Child Care subsidies

The Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness will be holding a presentation on Child Care in Westchester County on Wednesday July 13th from 9:30am-11am.

We are strongly encouraging Direct service staff who are working with families experiencing homelessness & staff members in need of childcare themselves to attend this presentation to learn more about various childcare opportunities.

Please see the flyer below for details which also include the zoom link . If you have any questions, please reach out to Jenny Badree at Jbadree@programdesign.com.

Mount Vernon CDBG Annual Action Plan

THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK

2022-2023 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

The City of Mount Vernon, NY invites residents, public agencies, and other stakeholders to provide input on Mount Vernon’s housing and community development needs. 

The City of Mount Vernon will hold a thirty (30) day public comment period that begins on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 and ends on Friday, July 8, 2022.

The City will hold two virtual public hearings on the following dates:

Friday, June 17, 2022, 10:00am
Virtual Public Meeting Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 886 8766 5859

Thursday, June 21, 2022, 6:00pm
Virtual Public Meeting Via Zoom
Meeting ID: 892 5796 4301

An in-person public meeting will be held at the City Council Chambers Room on June 30, 2022 at 6:30pm located at 1 Roosevelt Square, Mount Vernon, NY 10550.

The Draft 2022 Annual Action Plan is available here.

Free Financial Literacy Workshop - June 7 - HOPE Community Services

HOPE Community Services will hold a financial literacy clinic to assist you with your personal finances, budgeting and planning. We will also discuss the importance of having an individual tax identification number (ITIN) and how to apply for one.

6:30PM - 8:00PM

Tuesday, June 7

HOPE Community Services

50 Washington Ave New Rochelle, NY

To register, please contact:

Mayra Aguilar (914) 563-2077

Outreach@HOPE-cs.org

Paying For Child Care Costs - Child Care Council of Westchester

Child care in Westchester is expensive, and we know that many families have trouble making ends meet. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you pay for child care.

Recognizing that the cost of child care is a burden for so many Westchester families and often a barrier to employment, the County raised income eligibility for its Child Care Subsidy Program in 2022, and worked with us at the Child Care Council to create the Westchester Works Program to help working parents at even higher incomes, up to 85% of State Median Income.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL : RFP for ESG Homeless & Eviction Prevention Program

Westchester County has issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) to seek proposals specifically for the Homelessness & Eviction Prevention Program through housing relocation and stabilization services necessary to prevent an individual or family from moving into an emergency shelter.

Due Date:Jun 17, 2022 12:00:00 PM

Clarification Date:Jun 10, 2022 12:00:00 PM


24-hour Mobile Behavioral Health Crisis Coverage

(White Plains, NY) — Together with advocates and stakeholders from the Greenburgh, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester and Yonkers communities, County Executive George Latimer announced seven Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) in Westchester. The teams, which are co-located with the local police departments, have the responsibility of providing 24-hour mobile behavioral health crisis support when responding to emergencies. The MCRT program was a recommendation of Project Alliance, a task force created by Latimer in 2021 to help re-imagine policing in Westchester. Law enforcement training to help police effectively deescalate situations involving people with behavioral health challenges was determined a top priority, and as a result the MCRT program was formed. Now, the MCRT program is being implemented throughout the County with the Port Chester Police Department serving as the first host site.

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

Thursday, May 26 2 p.m. Port Chester Police Department 350 North Main Street Port Chester, NY 10573

**Press Event will be Streamed LIVE on Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/westchestergov/

Latimer said: “Every emergency, every 911 call, is different. When our police respond to an emergency and it is clear that someone is struggling with a mental health issue, we want them to be armed with the tools that they need to prevent a serious crisis before it occurs. The Mobile Crisis Response Teams are designed to provide 24hour, seven-day a week support to every community in Westchester, to make sure that police, EMTs and dispatchers have the appropriate resources to help people. Whenever possible, a mental health crisis should receive a mental health response, and that is exactly what the MCRT program does.”

Under Latimer’s leadership, the Westchester County Departments of Community Mental Health, Public Safety, Emergency Services and Social Services are instituting the recommendations of Project Alliance to help people manage behavioral health issues in the community. Through seven host police departments, teams are providing mental health crisis coverage to the following Westchester County communities:

Greenburgh PD Host Site Covers:

 Ardsley PD  Dobbs Ferry PD  Elmsford PD  Hastings-on-Hudson PD  Irvington PD  Tarrytown PD  White Plains PD Agency: MHA of Westchester

Mount Kisco PD Host Site Covers: Westchester County Police

 Bedford Hills PD  Lewisboro PD  New Castle PD  North Castle PD  North Salem PD  Pound Ridge PD  Somers PD  NY State Police Agency: MHA of Westchester

New Rochelle Host Site Covers:

 Bronxville  Eastchester  Mount Vernon  Pelham  Scarsdale  Tuckahoe Agency: The Guidance Center of Westchester/Expanded team

Ossining PD Host Site Covers:

 Mount Pleasant PD  Pleasantville PD  Sleepy Hollow PD  Briarcliff Manor PD Agency: Family Services of Westchester

Peekskill PD Host Site Covers:

 Buchanan PD  Cortlandt PD  Croton on Hudson PD  Yorktown PD  Westchester County PD 

NY State Police PD Agency: Westchester Jewish Community Services

Port Chester PD Host Site Covers:

 Harrison PD  Larchmont PD  Rye PD  Rye Brook PD  Village of Mamaroneck PD  Town of Mamaroneck PD  SUNY Purchase Police PD Agency: Family Services of Westchester

Yonkers PD Host Site and Expanded Team Agency: PEOPLE USA Inc.

Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Michael Orth said: “This is a significant success in County Executive Latimer’s Project Alliance Initiative. Our local police departments now have direct access to MCRT to respond immediately to residents experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The Mobile Crisis Response Teams will help to engage individuals, address their needs, and connect them to appropriate services and supports. We are greatly appreciative of the County Departments of Public Safety and Emergency Services, local municipalities and law enforcement, and our community partners for their collaboration in developing a crisis system that will provide the right level of service for any person experiencing crisis in the most expeditious way possible.”

Public Safety Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason said: “The ability to have mental health professionals respond with police officers will help ensure the best and safest outcome when someone is in crisis. These are always challenging incidents and we look forward to working in partnership with Project Alliance to de-escalate these encounters and get people the help they need.”

Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Social Services Leonard Townes said: “Project Alliance partnerships like these are essential to the safety and well-being of Westchester residents, and draw upon the expertise of public and private agencies including Mental Health, Emergency Services, County and local law enforcement, Social Services, and community providers to respond to the needs of residents and collaborate on necessary services.”

Port Chester Police Chief Charles Nielsen said: “Port Chester PD is excited to be able to host this very important program. With this added level of support when responding to a person in crisis, our officers will be able to use both their training and the training of the MCRT to get the person the treatment that is warranted. This program is another tool to use in this ever-challenging world we live in, and it’s the Department’s hope that there will be many success stories through the MCRT program.”

Executive Vice President of Clinical Services for Family Services of Westchester Karen Fink said: “Family Services of Westchester is very excited to be a part of this innovative initiative that will help individuals experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis get the proper support and treatment they need. This model will significantly add to our ability to reach those in crisis, and our team of mental health clinicians and peers, as first responders, will help de-escalate and build rapport so that individuals can be connected to appropriate services to ensure they receive the best possible care.”

New Affordable Housing Opportunity in Yonkers Accepting Applications

St. Joseph’s Medical Center is Now Accepting Applications

Affordable Rental Opportunities Available

10 School Street, Yonkers NY, 10701

Studio, 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments Available

Community Center with Exercise Room, Library, Computer Room & Community Room On-Site Laundry Facilities Convenient Location

~ Available June 2022 ~

Application Deadline August 31, 2022

Must be over eighteen (18) years of age. Must meet income limits

An application may be downloaded by clicking the button below or requested by mail from:

Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, Front Desk/Reception

127 S. Broadway, Yonkers NY, 10701

If requesting by mail please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return.

Applications are also available to download at http://www.saintjosephs.org/

Please click here to download a flyer with more information. You can also visit NYhousingsearch.gov or more information on this project.

Anti-Racism and Evaluation Committee (AREAC) Launch

The mission of the Anti-Racism Evaluation & Advisory Committee is to ensure that all policies and practices of the Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness (CoC) seek to identify and dismantle systemic barriers in access to housing resources for all people experiencing homelessness in our county.

This group will work to better understand and address the root causes that place Black People & People of Color at higher risks of homelessness and facilitate change that reduce and eliminate system barriers. To achieve our goal, we will analyze internal and external data and best practices in addressing disparities, racism, and inequality within our homeless response system.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please join us and bring all of your ideas with you!

When: Wednesday, May 25th at 10am

Where: Click here to join Zoom meeting

Mental Health First Aid for Veterans, Military Members & Families

Mental Health First Aid for Veterans, Military Members and their Families teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This training will demonstrate the skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to appropriate care.

Mode of instruction: Participants will complete a 2-hour, self-paced online course and participate in a 7-hour, in-person instructor led training.

Date and Time: Saturday, May 14th 9am-4pm

Location: Yonkers City VFW Post 1666, 574 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704

For questions or to sign up, contact Caitlin Leon at cleon@wjcs.com

Cooling Assistance Benefit Program to Open May 2, 2022

The 2022 Cooling Assistance benefit program will open May 2, 2022.

If you are eligible, you may receive one Cooling Assistance benefit per applicant household for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool.

In circumstances where an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided.

Only one air conditioner or fan, not to exceed $800 with installation, will be provided per applicant household. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.

You may be eligible for a Cooling Assistance HEAP benefit if:

  1. Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size as posted in the following table [see below], or

  2. You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or

  3. You receive Temporary Assistance (TA), or

  4. You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone), or

  5. You received a Regular benefit greater than $21 in the current program year or received a Regular benefit equal to $21 during the current program year and reside in government subsidized housing with heat included in your rent, and

  6. A member of your household is a United States Citizen or qualified alien, and

  7. You currently do not have a working air conditioner or the air conditioner you have is five years old or older, and

  8. You did not receive a HEAP funded air conditioner within the past five years.

Your household eligibility requirements include filing an application with your local department of social services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in an eligible living situation.

Getting the air conditioner installed

The participating Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) vendor list can be obtained by accessing the HEAP Participating vendor list. Select your county of residence, “Cooling” as the fuel type, and pressing “Go”. It will be your responsibility to maintain the air conditioner. This includes the responsibility to remove, cover, store, and/or reinstall the unit or the installation sleeve after vendor installation.

2022 HEAP Monthly Income Limits

Your total household gross monthly income for your household size must be at or below the following guidelines:

Where to apply

You may apply for the HEAP Cooling Assistance with your HEAP Local District Contact.

https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#cooling-assistance

Questions regarding the HEAP program should be directed to your HEAP Local District Contact or the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.