Page 12 - The Indian EYE 101824

COMMUNITY OP-ED OCTOBER 18, 2024 | The Indian Eye 12

Keeping New Yorkers Safe and

Warm This Fall and Winter

Fall and winter are different than they used to be. With climate change leading to more frequent and intense
cold, a storm can be more than just uncomfortable — it can be dangerous or even life threatening. That is

why New York City is getting ready in advance — and we want all New Yorkers to be ready, too

ERIC ADAMS

ew Yorkers deserve safe,
warm, and comfortable liv-
Ning conditions during fall and
winter, and the city is here to make
sure they get it.
Last week, heat season started
in New York City. While cold and
winter weather can bring danger-
ously low temperatures, heavy snow,
strong winds, ice, sleet, and freezing These heat regulations are designed to protect New Yorkers health and safety. Heat is not a luxury, it is a necessity that
rain, landlords and property owners all New Yorkers deserve (File/Agency Photo)
across the city are required to main-
tain heating and safe indoor tem-
peratures for their tenants between serve. New Yorkers without access to and collected more than $3.5 million tion has fought to protect our city’s
October 1st and May 31st. heating are unprotected and at risk in various penalties associated with tenants. Whether by launching the
That’s why we are hitting the during the heat season. People can these types of violations. city’s first-ever Tenant Protection
ground running this season, making get sick, injured, and possibly even Fall and winter are different than Cabinet, initiating the Public En-
our city work better for everyday, die from cold temperatures and win- they used to be. With climate change gagement Unit’s live operator tenant
working-class people. The city’s De- ter storms. leading to more frequent and intense helpline to provide immediate sup-
partment of Housing Preservation Every day, New Yorkers work cold, a storm can be more than just port to New York tenants, or secur-
and Development has mobilized hard to build a better future for uncomfortable — it can be danger- ing the largest civil right settlement in
across the five boroughs to remind themselves, their kids, and their fam- ous or even life threatening. That is city history — that issued $1 million
tenants and owners about their re- ilies. But we all know we cannot have why New York City is getting ready in civil penalties and set aside 850
sponsibilities to keep New Yorkers a truly livable city with a housing and in advance — and we want all New apartment units for voucher holders
warm and safe. affordability crisis continuing to lin- Yorkers to be ready, too. — our administration has used every
When outdoor temperatures ger. New Yorkers need our support, Having heat is one of the most tool possible to tell New York City
drop below 55 degrees, indoor tem- and we are giving it to them by en- effective ways to guard against cold tenants, ‘we’ve got your backs.’
peratures must be maintained at a suring they have heat during the fall storm emergencies. So, if your apart- This administration has made
minimum of 68 degrees during the and winter. ment is cold, report the issue to your public safety the center of everything
day between 6 AM and 10 PM. And And we have been very clear, landlord immediately. If the problem we do, and that includes preparing
indoor temperature must be main- when landlords and property owners persists, contact 311 for assistance. for weather emergencies and keep-
tained to at least 62 degrees over- violate our heating regulations, the If low-income property owners are ing New York City tenants safe and
night, regardless of the temperature. city and the Housing Preservation struggling, they can reach out to the warm in their homes this heat season.
These heat regulations are de- and Development team will hold Home Energy Assistance Program Let’s work together to make the fall
signed to protect New Yorkers health them accountable. Last year, the city for help with heating bills and equip- and winter season our safest ever.
and safety. Heat is not a luxury, it is responded in record time to 144,000 ment repairs. Eric Adams is the Mayor of
a necessity that all New Yorkers de- heat and hot water related problems From day one, our administra- New York City, NY

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