File #: Res 0004-2024    Version: * Name: Authorizing the Speaker to commence legal action on behalf of the Council of the City of New York to compel the Mayor and his Administration to implement Local Law 99 of 2023, Local Law 100 of 2023, Local Law 101 of 2023, and Local Law 102 of 2023, the Ci
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on General Welfare
On agenda: 2/8/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution authorizing the Speaker to commence legal action on behalf of the Council of the City of New York to compel the Mayor and his Administration to implement Local Law 99 of 2023, Local Law 100 of 2023, Local Law 101 of 2023, and Local Law 102 of 2023, the CityFHEPS Expansion Laws.
Sponsors: Diana I. Ayala, James F. Gennaro
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 4, 2. Committee Report 2/8/24, 3. Hearing Transcript 2/8/24, 4. Committee Report - Stated Meeting 2/28/24, 5. February 8, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 6. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 2-8-24, 7. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - February 8, 2024
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
2/8/2024*Diana I. Ayala City Council Approved, by CouncilPass Action details Meeting details Not available
2/8/2024*Diana I. Ayala City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
2/8/2024*Diana I. Ayala City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
2/8/2024*Diana I. Ayala Committee on General Welfare Hearing on P-C Item by Comm  Action details Meeting details Not available
2/8/2024*Diana I. Ayala Committee on General Welfare P-C Item Approved by CommPass Action details Meeting details Not available

Preconsidered Res. No. 4

Resolution authorizing the Speaker to commence legal action on behalf of the Council of the City of New York to compel the Mayor and his Administration to implement Local Law 99 of 2023, Local Law 100 of 2023, Local Law 101 of 2023, and Local Law 102 of 2023, the CityFHEPS Expansion Laws.

 

By Council Members Ayala and Gennaro

 

Whereas, In recent years, the City of New York has been experiencing a sharp increase in homelessness, accompanied by a record number of individuals and families seeking refuge in our shelter system, and high housing costs as an outgrowth of the COVID pandemic; and 

Whereas, The Council of the City of New York (“Council”) sought to tackle these pressing issues by reforming and expanding the City’s Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement program (“CityFHEPS), which offers rental assistance vouchers to New Yorkers in need; and

Whereas, The Council’s legislative solution would not only provide a cost-effective method of alleviating the strain on our shelter system but also facilitate an easier pathway for the most vulnerable members of our society to secure housing; and

Whereas, After extensive public debate and consultation with experts, this package of legislation-Local Laws 99, 100, 101, and 102 of 2023 (“CityFHEPS Expansion Laws”)-was passed into law over a Mayoral veto on July 13, 2023, by a vote of 42 to 8; and

Whereas, Mayor Adams openly refuses to implement the CityFHEPS Expansion Laws, as made clear by the Commissioner of Social Services in her December 15, 2023 letter to the Council; and

Whereas, The CityFHEPS Expansion Laws technically went into effect on January 9, 2024, but New Yorkers have not benefited from the reforms as a result of Mayor Adams; and

Whereas, The Mayor is duty bound to implement valid local laws like the CityFHEPS Expansion Laws, and his failure to do so is illegal; and

Whereas, Speaker Adams, in a letter dated January 9, 2024, offered the Adams Administration one final opportunity to comply with the law before the Council took legal action; and

Whereas, Mayor Adams has not responded to the Speaker and has left the Council with no other alternative but to seek relief from the courts; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York authorizes the Speaker to commence legal action on behalf of the Council to compel the Mayor and his Administration to implement Local Law 99 of 2023, Local Law 100 of 2023, Local Law 101 of 2023, and Local Law 102 of 2023, the CityFHEPS Expansion Laws.

 

NGE

LS 15949

2/7/24