by changer | Jun 29, 2015 | feature, Home and More News, Legal Services, More News, News, Tenant Advocacy
On June 15th Catholic Migration Services was part of the public hearing that the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) was hosting. Tenant members from different neighborhoods including Woodside, Sunnyside, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst attended the hearing and testified for a much needed Rent Roll Back. Tenants spoke about how much of a burden rent has become and how they would have to leave their apartments and NYC in general if another increase was implemented. The tenants wore white T-shirts which they made colorful by writing messages and drawing images of how much of their income is spent on rent. Their testimonies included some data, but mainly their own stories which made them very powerful. Other groups that attended the RGB hearing were Minkwon, Centro Hispano Cuzcatlan, Make the Road NY and Chhaya.
by changer | May 18, 2015 | Home and More News, Legal Services, More News, News, Tenant Advocacy
On Wednesday, April 29th tenants and community groups rallied together to advocate for a rent roll-back for rent stabilized apartments by the New York City Rent Guidelines Board (RGB). CMS’ ITAP and BHIP, CASA, Los Sures, RENA and many other tenant advocacy organizations were present to show their support of a rent roll-back. Community members marched from Herald Square to The CUNY Graduate Center where the RGB preliminary vote was held. New York City Council Members Corey Johnson, Ben Kallos, and Jumaane Williams spoke at a press conference outside of The CUNY Graduate Center. They discussed the hardships tenants are facing with the high cost of rent and why they support a rent roll-back.
After the press conference community members attended the preliminary vote held by the RGB. Both, RGB members representing the landlords and members representing tenants made proposals for this year’s increase, but it was the Chair, Rachel D. Godsil’s proposal, that got approved. Now the Rent Guidelines Board will only take into account the following range for the final vote. 0 to 2% increase for One-year leases and 0.5 to 3.5% increase for Two-year leases.
Public hearings will now be held in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx to provide the community with an opportunity to testify and advocate for a rent freeze or the lowest possible increase given the proposal approved by the RGB.
by changer | May 13, 2015 | Legal Services, More News, News, Tenant Advocacy
On May 14th there will be a Rally at Foley Square in Manhattan to demand stronger rent laws to keep rent affordable. On June 15th New York State’s rent laws will expire putting over 1 million rent-stabilized homes at risk. CMS would like to gather community members from all over NYC to march against Block gentrification, end rent hikes and repeal rent deregulation. Please join us in speaking out against New York’s housing crisis, demanding stronger rent laws, and keeping rent affordable for New York residents.
Join us May 14th at 5 pm at Foley Square on the corner of Centre St. & Worth St. New York, NY 10013.
by changer | Apr 23, 2015 | Home and More News, Legal Services, News
Catholic Migration Services’ Immigrant Tenant Advocacy Program will be hosting a Queens Town Hall on the right to counsel in Housing Court. This event is an opportunity for community members to discuss Intro 214, a bill currently before the New York City Council which, if passed, would provide tenants the right to an attorney in eviction proceedings. The town hall is an opportunity for community members to share their thoughts on the implications of going to court in eviction proceedings without an attorney and how it creates an additional incentive for landlords to harass and displace tenants. At the town hall, we will introduce Intro 214, and discuss how community members can achieve the historic goal of making New York City the first city in the United States to guarantee tenants a right to counsel in eviction proceedings. Please RSVP if you would like to attend.
by changer | Apr 13, 2015 | Family Resources, feature, fundraising, Home and More News, Immigration, Legal Services, More News, News
On Wednesday, April 8th, Joe Crowley, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, and NYS Assembly Member Francisco Moya hosted an immigration forum in Jackson Heights, Queens. During this meeting leaders and experts on immigration discussed the status of President Obama’s executive action on immigration, the future of the NY DREAM Act, fraud prevention, the Central American Minors program, and different benefits and services available to immigrants in New York. This meeting provided members of the local community an opportunity to receive information and ask questions on the various programs that effect immigrants. CMS Immigration Counselor Marisol Canales was a member of the panel, she discussed CMS’ role in empowering immigrant communities and providing valuable resources and services. Other participating organizations included the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Legal Aid Society, SCO Family of Services, International Rescue Committee, Make the Road New York, Emerald Isle Immigration Center, FWD.us, Queens Community House, and CUNY Citizenship Now. New York State Senator Jose Peralta also joined the meeting held by Crowley and Moya.
by changer | Mar 10, 2015 | Legal Services, News
CMS staff member Mariam Magar led an Arabic presentation on March 8th at St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Long Island City. She discussed CMS services, our Immigrant Tenant Advocacy Program, and housing law. Arabic-speaking representatives from Catholic Charities and Fidelis Care were also there to present and answer questions. Over 50 people attended this presentation. Following the presentation Mariam conducted consultations for around 15 people. Many people expressed gratitude for CMS presenting and serving the community. This programming is made possible in part by the support of New York City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.
by changer | Mar 4, 2015 | Home and More News
CMS and MRNY staff collaborate to host a Citizenship Workshop.
On Saturday, February 28th, Catholic Migration Services teamed up with Make the Road NY to host a workshop to help lawful permanent residents start their applications to become naturalized US citizens. The event took place at the Make the Road office in Bushwick, Brooklyn. (more…)
by changer | Mar 4, 2015 | News, Workers' Rights
Governor Cuomo’s administration announced on February 24th that by December 31, 2015, the tipped minimum wage will be $7.50 in New York State. This is in response to over 2,000 emails to the New York State Department of Labor, rallies, and public testimonies. As a result of the two-tiered wage system that is currently in place service workers are forced to live off of tips for the bulk of their take-home pay. This is a huge victory for wage equality and fair wages for restaurant servers, hotel housekeepers and other tipped employees in New York.
by changer | Mar 4, 2015 | News, Workers' Rights
On Friday, February 27, 2015, the New York City Council’s Committee on Immigration held a hearing on labor trafficking in the domestic worker industry. Alice Davis, staff attorney in the Immigrant Workers’ Rights Program, testified on the need for adequate training the law enforcement agencies that are most likely to encounter victims of trafficking, to create uniform policies for interviewing victims, and clarifying the role of advocates during investigations.
A recent study by Hoftstra University found that there are over 11,000 victims of human trafficking in New York alone. Yet, since 2007, only 37 victims have been confirmed by New York law enforcement agencies to receive emergency assistance and other benefits. Based on this discrepancy, Council Member Menchaca, Chair of the Committee on Immigration, stated that, “It is clear that more needs to be done to improve the lives of labor trafficking victims.”
The Immigrant Workers’ Rights Program assists victims of labor trafficking by representing them in civil litigation for wage violations and other claims arising out of their employment, as well as assisting them in applications for T visas.
For more information on the Immigrant Workers’ Rights Program please click here.
by changer | Mar 1, 2015 | Legal Services
If you would like to attend the Queens town hall meeting on the right to counsel in eviction proceedings, please fill out the form below.
