presented by Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance

August 14th, 2020

Quotes of Day

	“We have been able to serve 1.5 million meals on Long Island during the COVID-19 pandemic response,” Captain Roberts stated. “It happens because we work together. Communities can transform because communities themselves have the best answers for what they need. It is our job to empower the people who feel like they have no power to be solutions in their own situations.” - Pastor Charles Roberts, Salvation Army
	“We took 52 acres of underutilized property near the train station and we rezoned it and created a comprehensive state-of-the-art transit-oriented TOD zoning code. It’s meant to be turn key rezoning. It’s meant to allow developers to come in, put together a project, consult with the Village to decide what is right for that property, and then streamline the process. It provides densities and other aspects that are generous in allowing a proper balance between developers that need to make a return and community that wants to redevelop land that needs to be redeveloped.” - Hon. Peter Cavallaro, Mayor, Village of Westbury
	“A project is doomed for failure if you don’t have the support and buy in from the chamber and the civics.” - Anthony Bartone, Terwilliger & Bartone Properties

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The 2020 Long Island Smart Growth Awards will be held virtually on September 3rd at noon. Vision has begun delivering the awards to projects and individuals on site. We will be spotlighting each honoree in our upcoming newsletters.

The frst three are summarized here:

Charles Roberts, Salvation Army - Community Leadership

Friday, July 31st brought Vision Long Island to The Salvation Army Hempstead Citadel Corps Community Center to present the 2020 Vision Long Island Smart Growth Award for Community Leadership to Captain Charles Roberts, the Salvation Army’s Long Island county coordinator. Joining Vision’s Executive Director, Eric Alexander, in celebrating Captain Roberts’ remarkable community work was Brandon Ray, Regional Director of External and Legislative Affairs at AT&T, and Vision Long Island Board member, Ray Thomas, Advisory Board member of PinkTie.Org, Clariona Griffith, President of the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce and Town of Hempstead Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby.

Mr. Roberts was lauded by each speaker for his unselfish dedication to the Hempstead community, including his staunch support for food security. Without his work, and partnership with organizations such as AT&T and PinkTie, many local families would have suffered and continue to suffer, through this COVIC-19 pandemic. Speaking about Captain Roberts, Ms. Griffith stated, “He is a trailblazer, in every aspect of the word, blazing a trail throughout the entire Hempstead community.”

Senior Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby echoed that Captain Roberts has worked tirelessly for the Hempstead community, always there and willing to work with her for the betterment of others. She underscored how well deserving he was of this award. 

Although Captain Roberts is leaving Long Island, being transferred to a Salvation Army Center in Syracuse, he has laid a strong foundation which will last for many years. Speaking about Captain Roberts’ distinctiveness, Mr. Alexander noted his first questions upon hearing about Captain Roberts was who is this gentleman with the Salvation Army who is interested in revitalization, who is connected to youth, who is connected to seniors, who cares about housing – I have to meet this man. “Beyond the basic services, Charles is the type of person who has a personal follow through to connect to people,” Mr. Alexander noted. “There is so much joy in his heart even when there is so much need coming out of it. He is able to lift up other people.”

Accepting the award, Captain Roberts recalled his first time sitting with Mr. Alexander, discussing what it means to possess, to thrive, in a livable neighborhood, “And we’re still after it,” Captain Roberts admitted. “We don’t do anything alone, we do everything better, together. Unity is one of the qualities that we sorely need in this community. It takes work to be unified, to marshal it, to maintain it.”

Through partnerships with Vision, the Chamber, the Town of Hempstead, AT&T, PinkTie, the Village, “We have been able to serve 1.5 million meals on Long Island during the COVID-19 pandemic response,” Captain Roberts stated. “It happens because we work together.” Explaining further, “Communities can transform because communities themselves have the best answers for what they need. It is our job to empower the people who feel like they have no power to be solutions in their own situations.”

Congratulations, thank you and good luck Captain Charles Roberts.

Vision would also like to thank its sponsors: 1st Equity Title; National Grid; Engel Burman; VHB; H2M; Concerned for Independent Living; GPI; Cameron Engineering; 3rd Street Associates; AT&T; Terwilliger & Bartone; Heartland Town Square; Mill Creek; RXR; PSE&G; and Peoples’ Bank.

Vision Long Island’s 2020 virtual LI Smart Growth Awards will be held on September 3rd at noon. Awards to honorees will continue to be delivered over the next several weeks. 

You can watch a video of the award ceremony here.

Rezoning Project, Village of Westbury - Transit Oriented Development

Thursday, August 6th, found Vision Long Island at Westbury Village Hall to present the 2020 Vision Long Island Smart Growth Award for Transit Oriented Development to the Village of Westbury for its TOD Rezoning Project. The Village passed sweeping changes to its zoning code that allows for more transit-oriented development (TOD) for the approximately 50 acres of land next to the Westbury LIRR station.

Eric Alexander, Vision Long Island’s Executive Director, began the presentation by reminding everyone, “Westbury has done so much through the years with respect to transit oriented development, and it shows.”  Regarding this award, and why it is so noteworthy, Mr. Alexander stated, “The Village received dollars from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative from NYS, they did a comprehensive planning effort, involving the residents, small businesses, property owners and the development community. Bringing all these pieces of the puzzle together led to an excellent plan.”

“What really makes this project stand out,” explained Elissa Kyle, Vision’s Sustainability Director, “is that it is tailored to the unique conditions in Westbury.” She noted, “It is a compliment, not competition, to the Post Avenue area.”

Westbury Village Mayor Peter Cavallaro, Second Deputy Mayor Beaumont Jefferson, and Trustee Bill Wise accepted this award on behalf of the Village. “The Village has been working on revitalization for over a decade,” Mayor Cavallaro noted. “We have created over 800 units of different types of multi-unit housing. This project is exciting because it’s going to allow us to take those redevelopment efforts to the next level. It has the potential to be transformative.”

“We took 52 acres of underutilized property near the train station and we rezoned it and created a comprehensive state-of-the-art transit-oriented TOD zoning code,” Mayor Cavallaro stated. “It’s meant to be turn key rezoning. It’s meant to allow developers to come in, put together a project, consult with the Village to decide what is right for that property, and then streamline the process. It provides densities and other aspects that are generous in allowing a proper balance between developers that need to make a return and community that wants to redevelop land that needs to be redeveloped.”

“Our intent is to make Westbury’s downtown the most attractive downtown in all of Long Island,” Mayor Cavallaro concluded. “This project allows us to do just that.”

Legislator Laura Schaefer defined the project as innovative, forward thinking, and logical zoning that will move Westbury forward.

Vision would like to congratulate the Village of Westbury on receiving this well-deserved award and would also like to thank its sponsors: 1st Equity Title; National Grid; Engel Burman; VHB; H2M; Concerned for Independent Living; GPI; Cameron Engineering; 3rd Street Associates; AT&T; Terwilliger & Bartone; Heartland Town Square; Mill Creek; RXR; PSE&G; and Peoples’ Bank.

Vision Long Island’s 2020 virtual LI Smart Growth Awards will be held on September 3rd at noon. Awards to honorees will continue to be delivered over the next several weeks.

You can watch the video of the award ceremony here.

Cornerstone at Yorkshire, Terwilliger & Bartone and the Village of Lynbrook - Mix of Uses

Thursday afternoon, August 6th, Vision Long Island traveled to the Village of Lynbrook to present the 2020 Vision Long Island Smart Growth Award for Revitalizing Communities to developers Terwilliger & Bartone and the Village of Lynbrook for the Cornerstone at Yorkshire apartment complex project at the old site of the controversial Capri Lynbrook Motor Inn.

Expected completion in spring of 2021, this complex is located less than half a mile from the train station and downtown Lynbrook, thus promoting walkability, green transportation and a healthy lifestyle. Joining Eric Alexander, Vision Long Island’s Executive Director, was Anthony Bartone of Terwilliger & Bartone Properties, Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach, Deputy Mayor Michael Hawxhurst, Trustee Ann Marie Reardon and Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce president Steve Wangel.

Mr. Alexander, describing the importance of this project, stated, “We are at the site of a motel that people didn’t want to have around. They are now making it multi family housing, driven by the community and guided by the good work of the Village of Lynbrook.” He underscored, “What we like is the connection of best practices guided by local communities, that’s what really matters. You get the best marriages out of that mix and that’s what we have here.”

“There were issues on this site.” Mr. Alexander continued. “We like to see redevelopment transform communities. We like to see the public plugged into the planning process, there were public meetings to guide this project. We like to see adjacent uses come to life. We also like to see development that fuels local downtowns. The revitalization here does all this. Lynbrook has done a great job.”

Introducing Steve Wangler, Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce president, Mr. Alexander stated, “Any project not supported by a local civic and a local chamber is usually not worth its salt. In this case, the Chamber has hit a drumbeat for revitalization for years.” Mr. Wangler echoed those sentiments and discussed the importance of this project to the community. “What started out as a no tell motel is going to wind up being a luxury rental that’s bringing new people into the community; a demographic that loves to shop locally; a demographic that will really enhance our community. I can’t say enough about this project.”

Accepting the award for Terwilliger & Bartone Properties, partner Anthony Bartone echoed what time and time again has been the most important lesson learned in good development and redevelopment projects, “A project is doomed for failure if you don’t have the support and buy in from the chamber and the civics.” Mr. Bartone expressed, on behalf of his whole team, what an honor it is to receive this award.

Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach accepted the award on behalf of the Village and emphasized there are so many people who deserve credit for this project, including the entire Village Board. It was a long process, and the communication between the developer and the community was crucial. “I want to thank the people of the Village for their support,” Mayor Beach stated. “This new Cornerstone building will compliment our Village.”

Vision would like to congratulate the Village of Lynbrook and Terwilliger & Bartone Properties on receiving this well-deserved award. Vision would also like to thank its sponsors: 1st Equity Title; National Grid; Engel Burman; VHB; H2M; Concerned for Independent Living; GPI; Cameron Engineering; 3rd Street Associates; AT&T; Terwilliger & Bartone; Heartland Town Square; Mill Creek; RXR; PSE&G; and Peoples’ Bank.

Vision Long Island’s 2020 virtual LI Smart Growth Awards will be held on September 3rd at noon. Awards to honorees will continue to be delivered over the next several weeks.

You can watch a video of the award ceremony here.

Businesses Struggles in NYC as Apartments Empty of Residents

The number of empty apartments in Manhattan rose to their highest level in recent history, topping out at 13,000 vacant units.

This comes as residents flee the city during the ongoing pandemic, an exodus that has caused retailers and restaurants to suffer when combined with the precipitous drop of tourism over the summer.  This has also caused landlords to offer savings with rental rates dropping 10% in recent months.

There was some hope that this drop would rebound in August as people began to gear up for fall and the new school year, however that hasn’t been the case.  As numbers continue to remain suppressed, experts are predicting a slow market through the fall and possibly longer.

This could be the beginning of a ripple effect as around half of landlords in Manhattan are considered small businesses.  As their revenue dries up thanks to a shrinking maket they will be unable to pay property taxes, which represent a huge chunk of the city’s revenue.

At the same time, retail and restaurants are beginning to face a harsh reality as it looks like customers will not be returning to NYC locations in large numbers any time soon.  Large, nation-wide retailers have already closed their Manhattan locations without plans to reopen.  Meanwhile, other chains are choosing to keep their NYC locations closed while they cautiously reopen elsewhere in the country.

“There’s no reason to do business in New York,” said Michael Weinstein, the chief executive of Ark Restaurants, who owns Bryant Park Grill & Cafe and 19 other restaurants. “I can do the same volume in Florida in the same square feet as I would have in New York, with my expenses being much less. The idea was that branding and locations were important, but the expense of being in this city has overtaken the marketing group that says you have to be there.”

This has come about thanks to a pandemic that encourages people to stay home.  Businesses that rely on foot traffic from nearby office buildings or people heading out to public spaces for recreation are seeing more and more of their revenue drying up.  A subtle but discernable trend towards telecommuting even after the pandemic could spell permanent doom for a lot of these businesses.

As the whole situation drags on, moving businesses are one aspect of the economy that has seen a boon.  NYC residents are moving out of the city at a record rate with Florida and California seeming to be the most likely destination.  Still, some movers noted that the storage side of their business has also increased, which suggested that a number of people who have moved are considering returning.

“The reality is that there are always people in New York selling their homes and leaving,” said Lindsay Barton Barrett, a real estate broker with Douglas Elliman. “There are certain sectors of the market that are still active and other sectors of the market that are on hold.”

You can read more at CNBC, the New York Times, and FOX 5 NY.

Valley Stream Extends Outdoor Dining Hours to Sundays

The Valley Stream Village Board has announced that it will extend no-street dining hours in its downtown to Sunday.  At the same time Rockaway Avenue will become a pedestrian concourse in order to better allow diners to maintain social distancing while enjoying a night in their local downtown. 

The hours for outdoor dining now go from 4 pm to 11 pm Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  During those hours Rockaway Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic between Merrick Road and Sunrise Highway.

If you’re looking to enjoy a fun, safe night out this weekend, consider heading down to Valley Stream to enjoy some fun summer outdoor dining.

AT&T Announces $15k Donation to Boys & Girls of Bellport

AT&T announced this week a $15,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club of the Bellport Area to support online and in-person summer programming through the Club’s Academic Enrichment and College Preparatory Program. 

Thanks in part to AT&T’s funding, the Club has been able to safely offer in-person instruction to 680 teens in-person and 160 teens virtually since July. The program – which primarily serves low-income students and students of color – offers STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and social justice programming on topics including tech as a catalyst for social justice, the importance of social media in social action, STEM in sports and virtual work readiness. 

“This summer has presented unprecedented challenges for our young people. Many programs that students rely on for college preparedness and academic enrichment have either been moved online or cancelled altogether,” said Amy Kramer, President, New York, AT&T. “AT&T is committed to ensuring that Long Island students can still learn, have fun and interact this summer, and we are proud to support the Boys & Girls Club of the Bellport Area so they can safely offer in-person and virtual programming to underserved teens in the community.”     

“I would like to thank AT&T for their generous contribution to the Bellport Boys and Girls Club. For the past few years, AT&T has stepped  up and afforded children with an opportunity to excel in different realms through their donation.  As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to find innovative ways to ensure our children have the necessary personal protective equipment they need to safely attend programs. AT&T has shown its commitment as a supporter of children and students as they continue to provide for the community they serve,” said New York State Senator Monica R. Martinez. 

“The Boys and Girls Club plays an important role in the Bellport community by providing access to the educational programs that children need to grow and succeed. Unfortunately, these difficult times have created challenges that threaten their ability to maintain a sense of normalcy by placing many of the programs in jeopardy. Thanks to the generosity of AT&T, the club will be able to continue to provide education services that make a difference in the community and are so important to the future of our children,” said Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine. 

AT&T’s contribution also helped the Club to purchase PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for students so they could safely attend in-person lessons, as well as to extend programming hours to allow for instruction in smaller groups.   

The Boys & Girls Club of the Bellport Area’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most in the Bellport Area and increasingly from the South Shore, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Youth, ages 5 – 19, are provided with a safe place, enriched environment, positive mentors, and much-needed programs focusing on education and positive self-development. The Club is also expanding its services with its “Cradle to Career” program. This program will serve children ages 3 to 5 assisting working parents with younger children not yet in school and who struggle for child care.

East Meadow Reopening Day, August 15th

The East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, InHouse Design, & CLK Properties bring The LARGEST outdoor screen in Nassau County to East Meadow for August 2020!

On August 15th, 2020, there will be a screening the newest version of “THE LION KING" for an exclusive group of vehicles on the biggest screen in NASSAU COUNTY, over 40’.  The location at 90 Merrick Avenue in East Meadow is private, quiet, and extremely spacious allowing every car to have 2 parking spots.  There is a rain date of August 23rd.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early, eat dinner before the show, and bring loads of snacks for the show.  Bring blankets chairs, pillows and anything that will allow you to feel comfortable and at home during this Safe & Sound Mobile Theater Experience.  Guests are also encouraged to support the local restaurants and businesses in the area.

DJUSA will be handling the entertainment for pre-show festivities.

Tickets can be purchased for the event here.  Tickets are Non-Refundable.

Spotlight at The Paramount is All New this Summer

Enjoy delectable burgers, salads, live local music performed streetside plus food and drink specials every day at the Paramount’s Spotlight concerts this summer.

Make your indoor / outdoor table reservations through OpenTable OR call 631-637-1225. Food delivery available via UberEats & GrubHub.

Also, be sure to check out the newest art exhibit - Quarantine Art - on display all Summer long at Spotlight @ The Paramount! For more info, and the latest lineup of live music, visit spotlightny.com.

Long Island Arts Council at Freeport Hosting Live, Free Concerts

The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport will be hosting live, free summer concerts at the Esplanade on the Nautical Mile.  Events will take place Thursday nights from 7pm to 8:30pm

COVID-19 requirements that must be followed

•             Attendees need to bring their own chairs
•             You must set up your chairs six feet apart from other attendees
•             You must wear a mask - The Arts Council will have customized face masks for sale with all proceeds going to our programs and services

Here's the line-up of performers. Please check our website for updates, possible changes, and rain date location.

Aug 20
Robert Bruey

Aug 27
East End Trio

September 3
Carlos Pavan

September 10
Columbus Circle

LICH Seeks Full-Time Administrative Assistant in Amityville

The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless is seeking applicants for a Full-Time Administrative Assistant for our main office in Amityville.  The employee in this position assists the executive and administrative staff in the administration of agency operations. This position requires attention to detail and strong communication skills, in a small office working environment that requires separation of duties and internal controls.

Essential duties include (but are not limited to):

-              Receive calls and direct to appropriate staff; greet visitors, direct them to appropriate staff of agencies within the building; ensure visitors sign in and follow protocols
-              Correspondence: open, distribute and file agency correspondence; type and send letters, agency agreements, etc., and maintain files
-              Maintain privacy of confidential records, correspondence and/or files
-              Make copies and maintain documentation for contracts and/or billing, as assigned
-              Maintain agency Outlook address book
-              Draft and send emails, respond to inquiries, etc.
-              Assist in maintenance of and contributions to social media platforms
-              Coordinate agency/office activities and schedules
-              Develop and distribute fliers, informational materials and other documents
-              Communicate effectively in writing, orally and with others to understand and convey information, in a manner consistent with job functions
-              Attend meetings and take/prepare minutes, materials, as assigned
-              Other duties as assigned
Minimum Requirements:
-              Proficiency and experience using Microsoft Office suite applications and social media applications
-              General knowledge of office management practices and procedures
-              Ability to operate standard office equipment, including but not limited to computer, phones, copy machine/scanner, etc.
-              Must be able to exercise independent judgment and initiative to carry out job functions with or without direct supervision or instruction
-              Must be able to work effectively under time constraints to meet deadlines and manage a number of different tasks concurrently
-              Must be able to complete work accurately and with attention to detail.
-              Must maintain acceptable attendance and timeliness standards.

Must have a commitment to organization’s mission and goals. Must be self-motivated; must be able to work effectively with diverse people and personalities and as a member of a team.

Benefits after probationary period will be available. These include paid time off (vacation, holiday, sick, personal), medical insurance for the employee (premium paid by LICH), Dental and Vision insurance optional, Life Insurance for the employee and Simple IRA plan (with employer match).

 Please see attached job description for more information. This position is for an employment opportunity in Suffolk County, NY. Hours of operation are 9AM – 5PM EST, and employees will be required to maintain such hours.

Interested parties should submit a resume and salary requirements via email to gguarton@addressthehomeless.org 

Please do not call the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless regarding this position.  Questions should be submitted via email only.

NYSERDA, Affordable Solar and Storage Predevelopment and Technical Assistance (Predevelopment Program)

The Predevelopment Program provides grants to address barriers to solar installations serving low-to-moderate income (LMI) households living in rental housing, multifamily buildings or other households not served by traditional on-site residential solar. Individual awards will not exceed $200,000. Funding to proposals through this solicitation will offset costs for predevelopment and technical assistance work needed to implement solar installations for multifamily affordable housing and/or shared solar (Community Distributed Generation) installations that benefit LMI households.

- Eligibility: Applications must be submitted by or include the documented participation of any of the following: owners, providers or managers of regulated multifamily affordable housing, community land trusts, land banks or portfolios of single-family affordable housing; local government agencies; Community Development Corporations (CDC), Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) or other community organizations providing services to LMI households and/or demonstrating an LMI constituency; and prior recipients of Predevelopment Program grants seeking to replicate and expand upon the success from a prior completed Predevelopment

Program project.

- Funding: Up to $10.65 million is available with individual awards not to exceed $200,000.
- Deadline: Continuous through December 31, 2024, or until depleted
- Contact:
Email: affordablesolar@nyserda.ny.gov
Website: www.nyserda.ny.gov/funding

NYSERDA, NY Green Bank, Paycheck Protection Program

NY Green Bank is a state-sponsored specialized financial entity working with the private sector to identify, address and alleviate market barriers preventing the widespread deployment of clean energy across New York State. As part of New York’s support for businesses during this challenging time, NY Green Bank, a division of NYSERDA, has been approved to offer loans to eligible applicants under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). To qualify for a PPP loan, the applicants must satisfy NY Green Bank’s mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York State and to sustain its momentum in meeting the climate and clean energy goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

The loan proceeds must be used to cover payroll costs, and eligible mortgage interest, rent and utility costs over the 24-week period after the loan is made; and employee and compensation levels must be maintained. Completed applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis in the order they are received.

- Eligibility: At least 60% of the loan amount to be forgiven must have been used for payroll and payroll-related expenses. See the website and below for additional eligibility criteria.

The following entities affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) may be eligible:

- Any small business concern that meets SBA’s size standards (either the industry based size standard or the alternative size standard), sole proprietors, independent contractors and selfemployed persons;

- Any business with a NAICS Code that begins with 72 (Accommodations and Food Services) that has more than one physical location and employs less than 500 per location; and

- Any business, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 501(c)(19) veterans organization or Tribal business concern (sec. 31(b)(2)(C) of the Small Business Act) with the less than 500 employees or that meets the SBA industry size standard if more than 500.

- Funding: Eligible payroll costs are capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee.

- Deadline: August 6, 2020

- Contacts: Trond Rokholt
(Designated Contact 2) at 203-550-4006; or (iii) Lindsay Drogin (Designated Contact 3)  at 212-971-5342, ext. 4111.
Email: sba.loan@greenbank.ny.gov
Website: https://portal.greenbank.ny.gov/CORE_Solicitation_Detail_Page?SolicitationId=a0rt000000uU2EhAAK

Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program (NLG-L)

This program supports projects that enhance the quality of library and archive services by advancing theory and practice. Successful proposals will generate results such as new tools, research findings, models, services, practices or collaborative approaches that can be widely used, adapted, scaled or replicated. All applications must designate one of the following project categories: Lifelong Learning, Community Catalysts or National Digital Infrastructures and Initiatives.

- Eligibility: Either a unit of state or local government or a private, nonprofit organization that has nonprofit status and be located in one of the 50 States of the United States of America, the District of Columbia or U.S. territories. Additional criteria is listed in the website.

- Funding: 40 awards for up to three years will be made with amounts varying by category: Planning Grants up to $100,000; National Forum Grants up to $150,000; Project Grants up to $1,000,000 and Research in Service to Practice Grants up to $750,000.

- Deadline: October 2, 2020

- Contacts: Jill Connors-Joyner
Email: jconnors-joyner@imls.gov;
Sarah Fuller
Email: sfuller@imls.gov;
James Neal
Email: jneal@imls.gov;
Ashley Sands, PhD
Email: asands@imls.gov
General email: imls-librarygrants@imls.gov
Website: https://www.imls.gov/grants/available/national-leadership-grants-libraries

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize (the Prize) elevates the compelling stories of places where residents are working together to transform education, jobs, transportation, housing and more so better health flourishes for all. A Culture of Health recognizes that where we live—such as our access to affordable homes, quality schools, good jobs and reliable transportation—affects how long and how well we live.

Through the RWJF Culture of Health Prize application process, a community comes together to tell its inspiring stories of collaboration, action and results. Communities should understand they are applying for a prize and not a grant. The Prize recognizes work that has already been accomplished, so there is no required workplan or budget.

- Eligibility: A community must be a geographically defined jurisdiction in the U.S. that falls into one of the following categories:

- County, parish, borough, city, town, village or other municipality with a publicly elected governing body;

- Federally recognized tribe or a state-designated Indian reservation;

- Native Hawaiian organization serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians in Hawaii; or

- Region defined as geographically contiguous municipalities, counties and/or reservations.

- Awards: Up to 10 winning communities receive $25,000 and a prize package of communications materials about their community, communications guidance and help in promoting their successes.

- Deadline: Oct. 15, 2020, 3pm ET

- Contact:
Phone: (608) 890-2045
Email: info@cohprize.wisc.edu
Website: www.rwjf.org/content/rwjf/en/library/funding-opportunities/2020/2021-culture-ofhealth-prize.html

NYS Launches Rent Relief Program

The COVID Rent Relief Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance.

The Covid Rent Relief Program is not first come, first served. Applications will be accepted throughout the two-week application period. HCR will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need” accounting for income, rent burden, percent of income lost and risk of homelessness.

The rental assistance payment will cover the difference between the household’s rent burden on March 1, 2020 and the increase in rent burden for the months the households is applying for assistance. Households can apply for up to four months in rental assistance.

Eligible households must meet the following criteria:

• Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, household income must have been below 80% of the area median income, adjusted for household size. You can find your county’s area median income, based on your household size: www.hcr.ny.gov/eligible-income-limits-80-ami-county
• Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, the household must have been paying more than 30% of gross monthly income towards rent.  Gross income includes wages as well as any cash grants, child support, social security, unemployment benefits, etc.)
• Applicants must have lost income during the period of April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020.

HCR has created a dedicated call center to provide residents with help Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Call the COVID Rent Relief Program Call Center at 1-833-499-0318 or email at covidrentrelief@hcr.ny.gov

You can apply for assistance and check FAQ’s here.

New York State Accepting Applications for NY Forward Loan Fund

New York State has opened pre-applications for the New York Forward Loan Fund. Loans from this fund are available to small businesses, nonprofits, and small landlords in New York State that did not receive a loan from either the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for COVID-19 in 2020. New York Forward loans must be fully repaid over a 5-year term with fixed annual interest rates of 3 percent for small businesses and landlords.

Small businesses may apply for the lesser of $100,000 or up to 100% of the average monthly revenues in any 3-month period from 2019 or the first quarter of 2020. This loan can be paid back over five years with first year being interest only.  However, if small businesses have received either a PPP loan or an EIDL loan from SBA, they would not be eligible to apply. NYS has set a goal of 18% of total funds under this Program for Long Island

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as industries and regions reopen however, priority for New York Forward Loans will be given to industries and regions that have been reopened. Resources are available to assist in preparing applications for small businesses, landlords and nonprofits in industries and regions that have not yet reopened.

To view more details, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, click here:

If you need technical assistance through this process, please contact an Entrepreneurial Assistance Center near you and inform the counselor that you need help for the NY Forward Loan application.  You can find your closest contact center here.

Today's Sponsor

Albanese & Albanese

Albanese & Albanese LLP is one of the region’s preeminent full-service firms, providing its clients with specialized and diverse legal services. Their reputation for excellence derives from their commitment to deliver high quality legal services and individual attention while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness.