Author: LES Ready Webmaster

Hurricanes-Stay LES Ready!

The Lower East Side of Manhattan is a historically low-lying area, and as such, it is vulnerable to flooding from hurricanes. The area has been hit by several hurricanes in the past, including the following:

1821 Hurricane: This hurricane made landfall in New York City as a Category 1 storm, causing widespread flooding in the Lower East Side. The storm surge reached 13 feet, inundating wharves and causing the East River to meet the Hudson River across the Lower East Side as far north as Canal Street.

1938 New England Hurricane: This hurricane made landfall in Long Island as a Category 3 storm, causing extensive damage in the Lower East Side. The storm surge reached 10 feet, flooding homes and businesses.

2012 Hurricane Sandy: This hurricane made landfall in New Jersey as a Category 1 storm, but its impact was amplified by a nor’easter. The storm surge reached 14 feet in the Lower East Side, causing widespread flooding and damage. 

The Lower East Side is still vulnerable to hurricanes, and it is important to be prepared in case one strikes. Here are some things you can do to prepare for a hurricane:

Know your evacuation zone. The City of New York has a hurricane evacuation plan that divides the city into evacuation zones. If you live in an evacuation zone, you will need to evacuate if a hurricane warning is issued. https://maps.nyc.gov/hurricane/

Make a plan for your pets. If you have to evacuate, make sure you have a plan for your pets. You can either take them with you or find a pet-friendly hotel or shelter. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/em/downloads/pdf/pets_english.pdf

Stock up on supplies. Make sure you have enough food, water, and other supplies to last for several days. You should also have a first-aid kit and a flashlight.

Secure your home. Bring loose objects inside and board up windows. You should also turn off the water, gas, and electricity.

If a hurricane warning is issued for your area, it is important to evacuate immediately. Do not wait until the last minute. Here are some things to do when evacuating:

Listen to the radio or TV for updates. The National Weather Service will provide regular updates on the hurricane.

Follow the instructions of local officials. They will have the best information on where to evacuate and what to do.

Take your important documents with you. This includes your passport, birth certificate, and insurance papers.

Leave early. The roads will be crowded, so it is important to leave early to avoid traffic.

If you cannot evacuate, it is important to stay safe in your home. Here are some things you can do to stay safe:

Stay indoors. Do not go outside unless it is absolutely necessary.

Close all windows and doors. This will help to keep out the wind and rain.

Turn off the water, gas, and electricity. This will help to prevent fires and other hazards.

Have a battery-powered radio or TV so you can listen to updates.

Stay informed about the situation. Listen to the radio or TV for updates on the hurricane.

After a hurricane, it is important to be patient and help your neighbors. Here are some things you can do to help:

Check on your neighbors. Make sure they are safe and have what they need.

Help with clean-up efforts. There will be a lot of debris to clean up after a hurricane.

Be patient. It will take time to recover from a hurricane.

Asylum Seeker Donations

Support Asylum Seekers

New York City Stands with Asylum Seekers. To support the needs of asylum seekers entering New York City you can help with monetary donations. Additionally, you can donate items at drop-off locations such as NEW clothing, toiletry, and hygiene items.

  • Monetary donations: The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is collecting cash donations for the Asylum Seeker Relief Fund which supports asylum seekers with relief programs and services that address a range of needs including immediate survival needs, legal information and services, workforce support, housing and relocation services, among others.
    I want to donate money
  • Item donations: The Office of Faith & Community Partnerships at The Mayor’s Office has created a Donation Drive for Asylum Seekers. Drop-off locations are available in all 5 boroughs.
    I want to donate items
  • Bike donations: MOIA is proud to announce our partnership with NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Department of Transportation, Recycle-A-Bike, & Unlimited Biking to distribute donated bikes to newly arrived New Yorkers. The Bike Donation Program will provide asylum seekers a form of transportation to get acclimated in their new homes.
    I want to donate a bike

Asylum Seeker Resources

Asylum Seeker Resources

Asylum Seeker Resources

If you recently arrived in New York City and are seeking asylum, the following City resources are available.

Asylum Seeker 24/7 Arrival Center

Location: The Roosevelt Hotel 45 E 45th St, New York, NY, 10017

Information And Services Include:

  • Healthcare services and referrals
  • Health insurance enrollment
  • School enrollment
  • Mental health counseling

An additional 11 Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Centers are now serving across the five boroughs, in an effort to continue supporting newly arrived individuals and families seeking asylum. Asylum seekers may visit the organizations listed below:

BROOKLYN

Coalicion Mexicana
480 59th St, Suite 2L, Brooklyn, NY 11220
Hours of Operation: M & T 12 PM – 8 PM
Th & F 9 AM – 6 PM and Saturday 9 AM – 4 PM
Service: Information/Referrals & direct assistance

Mixteca Organization
245 23rd Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Hours of Operations: M – F 10AM – 6PM; Sat 10AM – 3PM
Service: Information/Referrals & direct assistance

BRONX

Coalicion Mexicana
389 E 150th Street, Bronx, NY 10455
Hours of Operation: Saturday 9AM – 4PM
Service: Information/Referrals & direct assistance

MANHATTAN

Aid for Aids International
131 Varick St Suite 1006, New York, NY 10013
Hours of Operation: M- F 10 AM – 4PM
Service: Information/Referrals & direct assistance

Coalicion Mexicana
St. Elizabeth Church: 268 Wadsworth Ave, NY, NY 10033
Hours of Operation: M, T, Th, F & Sat 9 AM – 5 PM
Service: Information/Referrals & direct assistance

Coalicion Mexicana
390 Fort Washington Ave, NY, NY 10031
Hours of Operation: M, T, Th, & F 9 AM – 5 PM
Service: Information/Referrals & direct assistance

International Child Program

34 W 134th St, New York, NY 10037
Hours of Operation: M 11AM – 3PM, T 10AM – 2PM, W 2PM – 5PM, F 1PM – 5PM
Service: Language interpretation/translation support, direct assistance,
case management

QUEENS

New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE)
71-29 Roosevelt Ave 2nd Floor, Queens, NY 11372
Hours of Operations: Weekdays 9AM – 5PM
Service: Workforce development

STATEN ISLAND

La Colmena
774 Port Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10302 or
88 Canal Street, Staten Island, NY 10304
Hours of Operation: M – F 9AM – 5PM
Service: Workforce development

Access the flyers below:

 

Extreme Heat Alerts

 

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT 

ADVISE NEW YORKERS TO PREPARE FOR EXTREME HEAT

Extreme heat infographic

Heat related deaths and illnesses are preventable. Despite this, around 618 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year. This website provides helpful tips, information, and resources to help you stay safe in the extreme heat this summer.

What is Extreme Heat?

Extreme heat is defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. Because some places are hotter than others, this depends on what’s considered average for a particular location at that time of year. Humid and muggy conditions can make it seem hotter than it really is.

What Causes Heat-Related Illness?

Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself. While the body normally cools itself by sweating, during extreme heat, this might not be enough. In these cases, a person’s body temperature rises faster than it can cool itself down. This can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs.

Some factors that might increase your risk of developing a heat-related illness include:

  • High levels of humidity
  • Obesity
  • Fever
  • Dehydration
  • Prescription drug use
  • Heart disease
  • Mental illness
  • Poor circulation
  • Sunburn
  • Alcohol use

Who is Most at Risk?

Older adults, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are at highest risk. However, even young and healthy people can be affected if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.

Summertime activity, whether on the playing field or the construction site, must be balanced with actions that help the body cool itself to prevent heat-related illness. Use this website to learn more on how to stay safe in the heat this summer, including how to prevent, recognize, and cope with heat-related illness.

  • CITYWIDE INSIDE PUBLIC COOLING CENTER FINDER

https://maps.nyc.gov/cooling-center/

  • LOWER EAST SIDE LOCATED COOLING CENTERS
  • PS 61, 610 E 12 St (B&C)
  • Grand Coalition of Seniors NSC – SENIORS ONLY, 80 Pitt St (at Rivington St)
  • M.S. 131, 100 Hester St (Eldridge & Chrystie)
  • Marta Valle High School, 145 Stanton St (Suffolk & Norfolk)
  • P.S. 134 Henrietta Szold, 293 East Broadway
  • P.S. 124 Yung Wing, 40 Division St (Market & Bowery)
  • OUTSIDE NYC PARKS “COOL IT”

https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/health-and-safety-guide/cool-it-nyc

  • Water Fountains
  • Spray Showers
  • Tree Cover

NYS Homeowner Assistance Fund

New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund

The New York State Homeowner Assistance Fund (NYS HAF) is a federally funded program dedicated to assisting homeowners who are at risk of default, foreclosure, or displacement as a result of a financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apply if you’re a homeowner who is:

    • Behind or in forbearance on their mortgage
    • In default on a reverse mortgage
    • Behind on their property taxes, water, or sewage bills
    • Behind on monthly maintenance charges of your coop or condo
    • Behind on their chattel loans, retail installment contracts, or other types of home purchase loans and/or lot rent

Applying does not guarantee funding. Please apply here. The deadline is February 2nd, 2022.

FDA Approves Pfizer Vaccine

FDA Approves Pfizer Vaccine

On August 23 2021, the FDA officially approved the Pfizer vaccine for those aged 16 years and older (CDC). The vaccine was previously available through Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and is still currently available to those aged 12-15 years through EUA. It should be noted that Emergency Use Authorization only cuts bureaucratic red tape and not the necessary research behind developing new vaccines. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are also authorized for emergency use. 

In good news, outlets have reported a 17% increase in vaccination rates following the FDA’s official approval of the Pfizer vaccine (ABC). 

Eviction Moratorium Update

changes to the eviction moratorium

The Supreme Court Ruling on August 12th made sweeping changes to the New York City Eviction Moratorium, greatly diminishing its power in preventing evictions for tenants affected by COVID-19. The ruling eliminated the ability for tenants to sign a sworn “financial hardship declaration form” as a form of defense against eviction, instead requiring them to argue in court against their landlords (City Limits). Meanwhile, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which has been accepting applications since June 1st, has dispersed only 11% of funds as of August 24th (New York Times). The CDC still has an Eviction Moratorium in place, although it was significantly altered in its most recent extension on August 3rd, which expires on October 3rd. This order only applies to counties that are “the hardest hit by the pandemic” in addition to numerous other qualifications (CDC).

UPDATE: Since last week, the Supreme Court has also struck down the federal Eviction Moratorium declaring that it must be approved by congress. Governor Hochul has committed to an increased campaign with more transparency to push for counties, tenants, and landlords to apply for ERAP funds as quickly as possible. 


COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

FEMA Funeral Expense Reimbursement

If you paid for the funeral of a family or loved one who passed due to COVID-19 you are likely eligible for up to $9,000 of funeral expenses reimbursed. 

To be eligible you must meet the following conditions:

  • For deaths that occurred after May 16, 2020, the death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
  • For deaths that occurred from Jan. 20 to May 16, 2020, any death certificate that does not attribute the cause of death to COVID-19 must be accompanied by a signed statement listing COVID-19 as a cause or contributing cause of death.
    • The signed statement must be provided by the original certifier of the death certificate or the local medical examiner or coroner from the jurisdiction in which the death occurred.
    • The statement must provide an additional explanation, or causal pathway, linking the cause of death listed on the death certificate to COVID-19.
FEMA recommends you collect the following records:
 
  • Official death certificate that shows the death occurred in the United States, including District of Columbia and the U.S. territories.
    • If the death certificate was issued from Jan. 20 to May 16, 2020 it must either attribute the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 or be accompanied by a signed statement from the original certifier of the death certificate or the local medical examiner or coroner from the jurisdiction in which the death occurred listing COVID-19 as a cause or contributing cause of death. This signed statement must provide an additional explanation, or causal pathway, linking the cause of death listed on the death certificate to COVID-19.
    • If the death certificate was issued May 17, 2020 or later, the death certificate must attribute the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19.

For more information, please visit the FEMA Funeral Assistance website here and apply using the information below.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline
844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585

Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Emergency rental assistance program (ERAP)

Applications opened June 1st. Approved households may receive:

  • Up to 12 months of rental arrears payments for rents accrued on or after March 13, 2020.
  • Up to 3 months of additional rental assistance if the household is expected to spend 30 percent or more of their gross monthly income to pay for rent.
  • Up to 12 months of electric or gas utility arrears payments for arrears that have accrued on or after March 13, 2020.

Both Landlords and Tenants can apply here!