Legislative Updates, New Grants, Events and Much More
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Click here for the first Friday Extra of 2022, brought to you by Sara Bonizio.
This week’s topics:
- Eviction Moratorium Expiration
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program
- 181st Fire Relief through BXCC Foundation
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In light of the tragic fire that took place early Sunday, January 9th at Twin Parks North West apartment building on 181st Street, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and our 501c3 Foundation are coordinating our efforts with those of our members, community partners and extended network in order to provide direct services to those affected: specifically, identifying families in need, and working to fund & provide services including burial, apartment cleaning, school supplies, and other supports. Please click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation in support of our efforts. 100% will go to serve impacted families.
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The State’s Eviction Moratorium Expires on January 15, 2022.
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The ban on evictions, which lasted nearly two years and was designed as a temporary protection for renters during the pandemic, will be expiring on January 15, 2022. Due to a court order, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) reopened January 11th, at 10 PM. ERAP was created to provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance. Applying for ERAP will provide applicants with protection against eviction until a final decision on their application is made. Apply here. The following are important rights every tenant should be aware of:
- Your landlord cannot directly evict you – Even if you owe rent and your landlord tells you to move, they cannot legally evict you without taking you to court first. Only a judge can legally evict you and a Marshall with a court order can move your belongings.
- Your landlord cannot change your locks without your permission – Unless your landlord has a warrant for eviction, changing the locks on your apartment without giving you a key is illegal.
- Harassment by landlords is illegal – Any form of harassment by landlords, especially if the goal is to get you to move out, is illegal. This includes and is not limited to physical violence, sexual harassment, property damage, turning off the heat or hot water, and threats of eviction.
CASA Bronx, a tenants rights organization in the Bronx, has also created useful tenants’ rights fliers with more information that is available here in both English and Spanish. The NYC Housing Preservation and Development website also provides resources for tenants. I strongly encourage you to take a look, as knowing your rights can also serve to protect you against eviction.
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Key to NYC: Business Affirmation Certificate
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Businesses must verify each worker’s proof of vaccination. There are three options for how businesses can meet this requirement:
- A worker’s record can be a copy of their proof of vaccination or a record of a reasonable accommodation with supporting documentation.
- Businesses can create their own paper or electronic record that includes the following information for each worker:
- Worker’s name
- Whether the worker is fully vaccinated
- For workers who submitted proof of the first dose of a two-dose vaccine, the date by which they can provide proof of a second dose (no later than 45 days after submitting proof of the first dose)
- Record of reasonable accommodation with supporting documentation
3. Businesses may check each worker’s proof of vaccination before they enter the workplace each day. They must keep a record of each verification.
Non-employee workers, such as contractors, must provide vaccination proof to their employers. Businesses may request that a contractor’s employer confirm proof of vaccination. Businesses must then keep a log of these requests and the confirmations they receive.
Businesses must have completed the below certificate affirming they are in compliance with this requirement and post it in a public place.
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We want to hear from you! As we begin 2022, we are eager to make sure that the Bronx Chamber delivered value during one of the most difficult economic times ever. We are hard at work on our calendar of events, and making important changes to our internal processes in order to better serve our members and the Bronx business community at large. Click HERE to fill out our survey. Your feedback is important to us (survey is open to members and non-members alike)
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Bronx Metro-North: An Opportunity for Jobs Webinar
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The Bronx Chamber in partnership with NYC City Planning will be hosting a webinar on January 26, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. regarding the Bronx Metro-North draft plan.
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Upcoming Event – Info Session with Fidelis Care
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Join the Bronx Chamber and Fidelis Care on Thursday, January 20 at 5:00pm for our info session Addressing Social Determinants of Health and Choosing Health Insurance Coverage.
Representatives from Fidelis Care will discuss the socioeconomic conditions that can influence health risks and outcomes, how to choose the right health insurance coverage for your needs, and updates on open enrollment.
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M/WBE Certification Webinar
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The New York City Department of Small Business Services will be hosting a certification workshop in Spanish on January 19th at 10:00 a.m.
Join us to learn about the following.
- SBS programs and services
- Certification program overview
- Registering in the Payee Information Portal (PIP)
- Registering for product service (NIGP) codes
- Starting a MWBE certification application
*** You will receive a link to the webinar prior to the start of the event .
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We’re hard at work updating our Events Calendar with workshops, informational sessions, and other events for our members and extended network.
for the current lineup – bookmark this page and check back often for new additions!
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NYC Small Business Resource Network
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We are thrilled to announce that the NYC Small Business Resource Network has reached over 25,000 small businesses throughout the 5 boroughs. This is a program open to all small businesses – not just our members – so if you or another small business owner are in need of legal, financial, marketing, or other resources, the Bronx Chamber’s outreach specialists are ready to assist you – sign up at smallbiz.nyc
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18-24 year-olds residing in one of the five boroughs of NYC with a high school diploma or GED equivalency can now apply for the Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy Bridge to Crafts Careers Preservation Training Program! This is a paid internship program that begins February 7th, 2022 with an application deadline of January 28, 2022.
Woodlawn serves as an “Outdoor Learning Lab” providing educational opportunities for students of all ages. The Bridge to Crafts initiative – developed to teach masonry restoration – has grown to include the restoration and care of landscapes. As young stewards of Woodlawn, they have been able to gain the experience that qualifies them for jobs and helps them reach their personal goals.
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Author: Robert Press
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