Margert in the News
New State Website Showcases
Affordable Housing Successes
The Full Story
DHCR Wins Award for Public Service Campaign
The Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) has received an Award for
Excellence from the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) for a
public service campaign developed to educate the public on the many benefits of
affordable housing.
The announcements aired on television and radio stations throughout the state
and featured filmmaker and green affordable housing advocate Edward Norton,
former NFL football player and community developer Tiki Barber and former Major
League baseball player and affordable housing developer Mo Vaughn.
The commercials sought to eliminate preconceived notions some people have about
affordable housing developments. The announcements show that affordable housing
today is attractive, quality real estate which fits into communities and is
critical to the vibrancy and stability of neighborhoods.
Commissioner VanAmerongen, who conceived of the PSA’s as a way to combat
NIMBYism, said "It is absolutely essential to our mission that we help
communities across the state understand the far-reaching positive impact of
quality affordable housing. Our public service campaign received an
overwhelmingly positive reception, and it is my hope that our fellow state
housing agencies across the nation will make use of it to raise awareness in
their communities as well."
The public service announcements encourage people to visit a new web site DHCR
has launched to showcase affordable housing developments across the state:
www.affordablehousingworks.org. This site provides a vehicle for DHCR to
visually showcase our finest developments and rehabilitation projects.
NCSHA represents the housing agencies of every state in the nation as well as
350 profit and non-profit firms in the affordable housing field.
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Asian American Poverty
Widespread in NYC
The Full Story
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Poverty is significantly more pervasive among Asian Americans in New York
City than generally believed, according to a new study released by the Asian
American Federation. "Working but Poor: Asian American Poverty in New York City"
finds that almost one-fifth of all Asian residents are poor. Even greater levels
of poverty exist for the elderly Asians and for some Asian ethnic groups --
Cambodian, Bangladeshi, Vietnamese and Pakistani Americans. Almost half of Asian
Americans have low incomes.
“Our findings counter the widely held perception of Asian Americans doing
well financially,” said Cao K. O, Executive Director of the Asian American
Federation. “Almost one-fifth of Asian New Yorkers lived in poverty and close to
half of this largely working-poor, immigrant population was in the low-income
bracket in 2006.”
"Working but Poor: Asian American Poverty in New York City" is the first
detailed analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2006 American Community Survey and
Census 2000 data regarding poor and low-income Asian New Yorkers.
The report reveals little-known Asian characteristics and points out many
demographic distinctions between Asians and city residents overall. For example,
the report finds that poor and low-income Asian working-age adults (age 18 to
64) are more engaged in the labor force than the total New York City working-age
population. Almost half (47 percent) of working-age Asians below the poverty
level and 71 percent of Asians that age in the near-poor bracket (between the
poverty level and the top of low-income standing) had a job or were actively
seeking one in 2006, compared with 42 percent and 68 percent, respectively, of
all working-age New Yorkers. The unemployment rate for poor working-age Asians
was 16 percent, lower than 27 percent for all poor city residents in that age
group.
“New York City’s Asian American community contributes significantly to the
city’s economy. Yet many Asians are vulnerable and unprotected, trapped on the
low rungs of the economic ladder,” said Cao K. O. “Our analysis indicates they
are hampered by effects of their immigrant status, including language barriers,
as well as limited access to health and retirement benefits.”
The Federation discussed its report during a forum this morning at United Way
of New York of New York City. An
executive summary
of the report is available at the organization’s website.
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National Grid Offers Heating
Assistance
The Full Story
In anticipation of a challenging season for winter heating costs, National
Grid is contributing $1 million to fuel assistance funds in New England and New
York to help lessen the burden for those most in need.
"I applaud National Grid's commitment to help New Yorkers as they prepare to
face another cold winter," said Governor David A. Paterson. "In a time of
economic crisis, companies such as National Grid set an example for how we all
need to look out for our fellow citizens who have trouble making ends meet. I am
particularly pleased to see the corporate and nonprofit sectors partnering at
this critical time."
The company will provide a total of $300,000 to the Neighborhood Heating
Fund/HeartShare (Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island) and the United Way of Long
Island's Project Warmth. These organizations provide heating assistance funds to
qualified applicants whether or not they are National Grid customers, and
regardless of which fuel they use to heat their homes.
Neighborhood Heating Fund was created in 1983 and is administered by HeartShare
Human Services of New York. Eligibility for assistance is based on New York
State HEAP income guidelines. For information on how to donate or for funding
application locations, call the Neighborhood Heating Fund Info line at (718)
522- 6514.
Project Warmth is a community-based partnership between National Grid, local
businesses and not-for-profit agencies designed to help Long Island families
suffering from recent financial hardships to meet their heating needs. For
further information, call Project Warmth at Long Island's United Way, (631)
940-3757.
[Rockaway residents can call Margert Community
Corporation at 718-471-3724]
"Given the economy and still-high natural gas supply costs, many people may
struggle to heat their homes this winter," said Nick Stavropoulos, National Grid
executive vice president of Gas Distribution Operations. "We invite our
customers who can do so to contribute to these organizations. Contributions to
Neighborhood Heating Fund and Project Warmth are tax deductible.
Stavropoulos also urged National Grid customers to take advantage of the
company's natural gas energy efficiency programs that can help them save money
and reduce environmental impact.
Current efficiency programs include incentives for installation of
high-efficiency, natural gas space heating and water heating equipment; rebates
for specific Energy Star products used to decrease natural gas use; a
self-service audit tool on National Grid's web site to help customers identify
ways to improve energy efficiency and gain easy access to on-line suppliers of
energy efficient products; and a high-efficiency heating and water heating
program for commercial customers.
Margert Community Corporation is a nonprofit,
community-based partner with National Grid in the delivery of heating assistance
programs and services.
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Study Shows NYC Neighborhoods Not Hurt by Special Needs Housing
The Full Story
Property values in areas where housing is built for the
homeless and other needy New Yorkers do not decline over the long term,
according to a new study.
A new report debunks the popular belief that housing for the homeless and
other needy New Yorkers depresses the value of neighboring homes and properties.
The study released Thursday by the Furman Center for Real Estate and Public
Policy at New York University examined the impact of 123 supportive housing
developments over an 18-year-period. It found that the value of properties
within 500 feet of such supportive housing does not drop over the long term when
that housing is added to the neighborhood.
Supportive housing—which grew out of attempts in the late 1970s to provide
services to mentally-ill New Yorkers in need of housing—is a type of affordable
housing that provides on-site services to formerly homeless individuals and
families, people with HIV/AIDS or physical disabilities, ex-offenders and young
people who age out of foster care, among others. Some 14,000 units in 220
developments have been built since 1990, but a shortage of land, combined with
community opposition, have created obstacles for a planned 9,000 additional
units across the five boroughs.
View the full story on
Crain's New York Business.
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