MSCC, Sharon Jasprizza, 9.30 AM, Zoom

SUMMARY: Steven King, DHS, kingst@dhs.nyc.gov, NYC has taken in over 180,000 people since the migrant crisis started. Arielle Hersh, UHAB, Director of Policy and New Projects. And Elise Goldin, New Economy Project, COPA and TOPA policies have been successful around the country since the 1980s. 

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MSCC, Sharon Jasprizza, Posted: February 29, 2024

SUMMARY: David Goldstein, Licensed Professional Engineer in New York, as well as a LEED AP and WELL AP, Hydronic Shell Technology, is installed quickly and cost-effectively from the exterior to minimize tenant disruption; the modular HVAC and facade system dramatically improves building performance as well as occupant health and well-being. Midori Yamamura, Assistant Professor of Art History, CUNY Kingsborough: The UnHomeless NYC exhibition that began at “Kingsborough Community College Art Museum in 2022 addresses the stigma of homelessness by presenting socially engaging artworks using research and data. Tamara Felix, Community Affairs Coordinator, Manhattan Outreach Consortium (MOC): The main reason for homelessness is the lack of housing and the types of housing needed. Much of the housing available is dormitory style. This is not applicable or preferable for most people.

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MSCC, Sharon Jasprizza, 2.12.24

SUMMARY

Alex Yong, Westside Neighborhood Alliance: Housing updates for S2980, S2943, S1 684, S995 and S129 Substantial Rehabilitation. Renee Keitt, NYCHA resident: Understanding the process of displacement at NYCHA because of RAD and PACT and the need to use appropriate language

CHAIR: John Mudd

WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS

John Mudd, MSCC, welcomed new members and the New Year

POLICY MEETING UPDATES

There were no 8.30 AM Policy Meeting updates.

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(MSCC) Sharon Jasprizza, January 2, 2024

SUMMARY

• Tatiana Hill, Community Liaison, Office of the Community Liaison, Independent Monitor of the New York City Police Department: The Monitor Team focuses on the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk practices and trespass enforcement.Sue Susman, Attorney, Tenant Advocate, “A crucial part of solving the housing crisis is retaining the rent-stabilized housing stock that exists by Gov. Hochul signing S2980, S2943, S1684 and S995. Mark Natanawan, Tenant Organizer, Housing Conservation Coordinator (HCC): through the 7A Program, administrators are appointed by the Court (under New York State Law) to operate privately owned buildings that have conditions that are dangerous to the tenants’ life, health, and safety. Pete Diaz, Housing Advocate, Who can be a 7A receiver and issues with derelict buildings. Alex Yong, Westside Neighborhood Alliance, referred to Greg Baltz, a recent speaker at the MSCC Homeless and Housing meeting, who proposed language changes about the business practice of neglect to make profits bigger.

CHAIR: John Mudd

POLICY MEETING UPDATES

There were no 8.30 AM Policy Meeting updates.

NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

• On November 25, 2023, MSCC supported through its letter-writing campaign to advocate for Senator Brian Kavanagh Chair, of the Senate Housing Committee, Legislative Office Building, Room 512Albany, NY 12247, to prioritize the passage and funding of Statewide Right to Counsel legislation (May-S2721/Joyner-A1493) in the FY 2025 budget. State Senator Rachel May and Assemblymember Latoya Joyner’s proposed bill S. 2721 / A 1493 aims to extend the right to legal representation to individuals combating displacement throughout New York State, mirroring NYC’s Local Law 136, the Right to Counsel. #RightToCounsel #Advocacy
• ? Exciting news! MSCC stands with The Coalition to End Apartment Warehousing & Housing Justice for All in their fight for affordable housing. In November 2023, we did a phone-in to Gov. Hochul urging her to sign four crucial tenant bills – S2980, S2943, S1684, and S995. Let’s end Frankensteining and preserve rent-stabilized units at honest rents statewide! #HousingJustice #AffordableHousing #TenantRight
• MSCC’s November Giving Tuesday was launched in the first week of November 2023. Thank you to our generous supporter and to those still thinking  the request is still open at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ACQXGV3KKP8KW or mail your check to Midtown South Community Council at John Mudd, 331 West 38^th Street, Suite 5, New York, NY 10018. #GivingTuesday #CommunitySupport #DonateNow

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MSCC, Sharon Jasprizza, Posted January 21, 2023

SUMMARY

Nichele Carver, Senior Regional Advisor, US Interagency Council on Homelessness: Families are being removed from the regular shelter system and placed in migrant shelters where different rules apply. For instance, they must reapply for shelter every 60 days, risking homelessness if they fail to do so. This contradicts the Right to Shelter in New York. Charlie Dulik, Director of Organizing, Housing Conservation Coordinators: Building tenant associations to advance social and economic justice and for the rights of poor, low-income, and working individuals and families. Marquis Jenkins, Save Section 9, Christina Chaise, Save Section 9, Renee, FEC Tenants Against Demolition: RAD program (Rental Assistance Demonstration), and in NY, it’s called Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT).

POLICY MEETING UPDATES

There were no Policy Meeting updates.

OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS

• MSCC is thrilled to highlight the remarkable achievements of all its members and networks in their ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity. Week after week, during the 2023 growing season, dedicated individuals work tirelessly to produce and distribute fresh food to those in need. One such example of their outstanding dedication occurred on October 12, 2023. On this day, the collective efforts of MSCC and its partners produced over 160 lbs of fresh fall vegetables. Squash, turnip greens, and carrots were just a few of the nutritious options grown by these passionate individuals. But the impact of their work extended far beyond the fields. MSCC collaborated with volunteers from two prominent organizations, Williem and Fae’s (Back Home) and VJay’s (Essex Food Hub), to ensure that these fresh vegetables reached their intended recipients. Together, they harvested, shipped, and distributed the produce to more than 100 families residing in New York City shelters
• The week of October 16, 2023, was about providing for those in need. Thanks to Steinway Moving and Storage and Pace University, the MSCC furniture giveaway was a huge success! 460 pieces of furniture were delivered to New York Ethical/Culture (NYVHA Amsterdam), Bowery Mission, Acacia Networks, and Bowery Residents Committee. Shoutout to all the amazing volunteers who made it happen! #giveback # Tim Gurtner, Pat Biscardi, Steinway Staff, Mo Malekshahi (Pace University), and Meg Chapman
• A late update: August 2023: MSCC has been working with a large coalition protecting Traditional Medicare, and in August 2023, we had another win on this front. Robert Rendo, PTPM (Protect Traditional Public Medicare) https://www.facebook.com/groups/148958687340733 reports on August 12, 2023, “I wanted to share with you some very critical news from the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees, for whom I am an advisor: As of today, we won our final round (our sixth lawsuit) of primary litigation in NY State Supreme Court. The sixth case was given a TRO by the judge, but he has now gone beyond that and ruled (his final decision) in our favor, basically saying that we cannot be forced onto a Medicare Advantage plan and that the City cannot break both current municipal law and labor contracts that promise retirees to have their Medicare supplemental plan paid for by NYC. Even NY City Comptroller Brad Lander made a statement in our favor and would not sign off twice on the procurement of any Medicare Advantage plan.”Robert continues with, “Of course, we anticipate that Mayor Eric Adams of NYC will appeal this and/or try to get new city legislation passed to circumvent the judge’s decision, a tactic he has used every time and has failed at. Yet, we have also won in appellate court in 5 of the 6 cases. It remains to be seen if we will win this very final round in appellate court, and even if we do, it can be appealed to only one other court that’s even higher in NY State.”

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(MSCC) Sharon Jasprizza, OCTOBER 3, 2023

SUMMARY

Natalie Naculich, Legislative Aide and Community Liaison (CB4), NYS Senator Brad HoylmanSiga1, (D, WF) 47TH SENATE DISTRICT, The LLC Transparency Act, (Senate Bill S8439B). Emma Villanueva, Program Director, Hudson

Family Residence-FM59 is a 100-unit family with children shelter. Alex Yong, West Side Neighborhood Alliance, The S 129 Bill stops Landlords from demolishing blocks when there is no intent to demolish but rather to move tenants out instead. Philip Malebranche, Care for the Homeless, is launching a campaign to support Homeless Protection Act Bill A 2191 A, introduced by M. of A. L. Rosenthal and Hevesi to designate certain offenses against homeless persons as hate crimes. 

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(MSCC) Sharon Jasprizza, Posted: October 2, 2023 Event Date: September 5, 2023

SUMMARY

Vittoria Fariello. Coalition for 100% Affordable Housing 5 WORLD TRADE CENTER (5 WTC). Bennett Reinhardt, Open Hearts Initiative, The increased xenophobic and exclusionary rhetoric, and protests against asylum seekers. Alex Yong, WSNA NYC, Member of the End Apartment Warehousing Coalition, SUCCESSFUL 7A’S gives remedies to tenants who are experiencing threats to safety, health and or life.

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(MSCC) Sharon Jasprizza, August 1, 2023 / 9:30 AM -10:30 AM ZOOM

SUMMARY: 

1. Tom Caylor, The Coalition Against Illegal Hotels, applauds the dismissal of two lawsuits filed by Airbnb and a group of Airbnb hosts against the New York City Office of Special Enforcement (OSE). 

2. Article 7A: Catherine Barreda, Brooklyn Legal Services, cxbarreda@lsnyc.org; Alex Yong, Coalition To End Apartment Warehousing and Tenant advocate; NYC, Greg Baltz, Assistant Professor of Law, Co-Director, Housing Justice & Tenant, Solidarity Clinic, Rutgers Law School, and Emi Foto, Brooklyn Legal Services. 

3. Vittoria Fariello. Coalition for 100% Affordable Housing 5 WORLD TRADE CENTER (5 WTC)

4. Marquis Jenkins, Save Section 9, demolition of Fulton and Elliot Chelsea Housing

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(MSCC) Sharon Jasprizza, Posted: August 31, 2023

SUMMARY

Vittoria Fariello, District Leader in Lower Manhattan, 5 World Trade Center (5WTC), seeking an appropriation bill from the Federal Government to increase the affordability at 5WTC.  Miguel Acevedo, Fulton House Tenant Association: NYCHA’s $1.5 billion plan to REPLACE Fulton Houses and Elliott-Chelsea Houses in Manhattan with new high-rise apartments. Rob Robinson, Housing Advocate, Partners for Dignity and Rights, we need to understand the developers are after the land, and thus it’s necessary to understand the contract with the developers’ relationship to the land. Ramona Ferreyra, Saving Section 9: Section 9, traditional Section 8 and Section Project-Based Voucher (PBVP) differences, HUD rights and responsibilities,  RAD/PACT takeover of public housing, demands for national solutions for public housing. Manny Martinez, Chair of the Queens South Citywide Council of Presidents (CCOP): The Myth of the Path Back to Public Housing, the Myth of Cancelling Contracts, the Myth of Return

CHAIR: John Mudd

POLICY MEETING UPDATES

There was no 8.30 AM Policy Meeting today due to the 4^th July holiday.

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS

• On Monday, June 12, 2023, MSCC and the Midtown Community Court (MCC) held a series of workshops and discussions for 68 students from Avenues High School studying socioeconomic inequality in NYC. The workshops centered on the role the Justice System plays, the work in the MSCC Urban Farm which is in the MCC’s courtyard, outreach work, and growing fresh food for people without access to fresh food
• During the month MSCC joined with Saving Section 9 at June meetings and rallies to protect public housing in New York and to work on solutions to stop the takeover of NYCHA by private developers

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(MSCC) Sharon Jasprizza, Posted: June 30, 2023

SUMMARY

Layla Law-Gisiko, President at The City Club of New York, CB5, Land Use Committee, Community-led plan for Madison Square Garden (MSG). Nichele Carver, the US Inter-Agency Council on Homelessness (USICH)

CHAIR: John Mudd

POLICY MEETING UPDATES

• John Mudd noted that one of our members is seeking help for a CityFHEPS housing voucher which needs to be transferred to their name. Assistance is required to ensure the administration of this voucher is fast-tracked after 18 months of inaction.

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