EMPOWER ENY Event Aims to Tackle Affordable Housing Issues with a Hands-on Approach

Posted By NYC Newswire

EastNewYork.com is thrilled to announce the newest installment of the EMPOWER ENY Series with an upcoming event titled “Discovering the Keys to Affordable Housing”. The in-person expert panel discussion and workshop will take place on Saturday, June 24th from 12pm – 2pm at the NYPD Community Center, located at 127 Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn NY.

 

Attendees will participate in engaging conversations and workshops on navigating the affordable housing lottery, rental assistance programming, first-time homebuyer initiatives, new local developments and much more. This event is open to everyone in the East New York community, regardless of income or housing status.

 

To attend, sign up at http://empower.eastny.com

 

 

Affordable Housing as a Right

 

EMPOWER ENY’s focus on affordable housing is very timely; it’s a particularly pressing issue in New York City at the moment, especially in East New York. The affordable housing crisis affects people at many different income levels, from shift workers to salaried workers to those who are unemployed. According to a report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a person working a full-time minimum-wage job in New York City would need to work 125 hours a week–, or earn $58.04 per hour – to afford the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment. Many families are struggling to find affordable homes that meet their basic needs and budget, which can lead to financial strain and even homelessness.

 

Homelessness in New York City continues to reach the highest levels since the Great Depression of the 1930s. According to the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), in December 2022 there were 68,884 homeless people– including 21,805 homeless children– sleeping each night in New York City’s shelter system. A near-record 22,720 adults slept in shelters each night. Families entering shelters predominantly come from a few clustered zip codes in the poorest neighborhoods of New York City– with East New York, Brownsville, and Bedford Stuyvesant representing a significant proportion of residents. 

 

Everyone deserves access to safe, affordable housing, and the EMPOWER ENY movement was created specifically to help make that a reality for members of the East New York community.

 

Panel of Experts

 

To examine and attempt to tackle housing disparity issues head on, EMPOWER ENY has assembled a group of four highly influential community leaders who have a serious passion for finding real solutions to these problems. The discussion will offer attendees an in-depth look into the affordable housing crisis facing our community today.

 

Panelists include

  • NYS Assemblywoman Nikki Lucas
  • Ismene Speliotis, Executive Director of the Mutual Housing Association of New York (MHANY)
  • Asia Thomas, Director of Organizing at Open New York
  • Bill Wilkins, Executive Director of the Local Development Corporation of East New York (ENY LDC)

 

 Following the panel, attendees will be able to participate in a hands-on workshop to learn about available homebuyer and renter programs, eligibility requirements, tips to navigate the affordable housing lottery and specific challenges to be aware of when going through the housing process. 

 

Workshop Activities

 

Getting straightforward answers to questions that you cannot necessarily ‘Google’ can be tough. This is why we’re setting aside time for questions and answers after the expert panel discussion so you can get personalized advice and guidance. In addition to the informational session, there will be on-site vendors, access to computers and ENY-centered organizations there to offer support for the affordable housing process, home-related services and products and first-time homebuyer mortgage lending support.

 

This event is open to everyone in the East New York community, regardless of income or housing status. Whether you are a current renter looking to find a more affordable option, a first-time homebuyer hoping to get on the property ladder, or a landlord interested in finding new tenants, this event is for you. Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, June 24th, and come ready to learn, ask questions and connect with others who are passionate about affordable housing! 

 

Community Partners

 

Community partnerships make initiatives like EMPOWER ENY possible, and it’s important to give a special thank you to those who contribute to the impact of the movement. Some of our Community Partners for the affordable housing segment include: Equity Platforms, Fusion East, the Local Development Corporation of East New York, Totem and Universe City. We appreciate your commitment to uplifting East New York!  

 

EMPOWER ENY Survey

In partnership with Local Development Corp of East New York, we created a new survey that places the power in the hands of those who actually live in the East New York community. Covering topics like affordable housing,jobs and transportation, the survey is a critical component for the future of East New York because the results will help elected officials, community leaders and neighboring stakeholders make informed decisions that directly relate to needs and wants of the area’s residents, workers, and visitors.

By filling out the survey, you will become an official East New York Mover and Shaper, gaining access to exclusive EastNewYork.com events and opportunities.

To complete the survey, go to EastNewYork.com/survey.

 

Getting Involved 

EMPOWER ENY is powered by The People, and we need your input. If you would like to volunteer as a community coordinator for the event series, please reach out to reach@eastny.com and one of our team members will facilitate your involvement.

If you own a business or community organization and would like to sponsor the event series, feel free to request a partnership deck by sending an email to sponsor@eastny.com.

To RSVP for the upcoming June 24th event, titled “Discovering the Keys to Affordable Housing” go to http://empower.eastny.com

 

Important Resources to Consider

 

In preparation for the engaging workshop, here are a few key resources to review:

 

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