Week of November 22, 2025

This bill would create a new financial assistance program for low-income tenants forced to leave their homes due to building demolition, major renovations, conversion to non-residential use, or loss of affordable housing protections. It expands the city's existing relocation services and sets up a formal assistance program with clear eligibility rules and appeal processes.

This bill creates safety rules for home battery systems (like solar battery backups) by letting small systems skip strict remote monitoring if they meet safety standards, while speeding up permits for medium-sized systems. It also sets up an advisory board to help the city manage residential energy storage safely.

This bill increases minimum space requirements for living rooms in new apartments built after January 1, 2027. Secondary living rooms must be at least 110 square feet (up from 80) with a minimum 10-foot width, and bedroom minimums in larger units increase from 7 to 8 feet. The changes aim to ensure new apartments have adequate living space and prevent cramped housing units.

This bill requires building owners to give tenants at least 14 days' advance notice before starting major construction work, with details about the project scope, timeline, and contractor contact info. Notices must also go to tenants in adjacent buildings, and owners must file copies with the city's Office of the Tenant Advocate to create a centralized record.

This bill would require the city to respond to CityFHEPS rental assistance applications within 15 days, telling applicants whether their application was approved, denied, or needs more information. Currently there's no set deadline, leaving renters in uncertainty for months while waiting for help paying rent.

This bill restructures NYC's youth board by reducing its size from 28 to 18 members, requiring at least 3 young people (ages 16-24) to serve, and adding new accountability measures like annual reports with policy recommendations and city responses. The changes aim to give young New Yorkers more direct voice in decisions affecting their welfare.

This bill requires the NYC Department of Transportation to study whether ferry service is feasible in Inwood, Manhattan, examining two potential dock locations (Hudson River beach marina and Sherman Creek). The study would assess travel time benefits, identify logistical challenges like pier availability and water depth, propose solutions, and estimate costs—with a report due within one year.

This bill would require large food service establishments and retail stores to donate excess edible food instead of throwing it away. It applies to chains and large individual locations (typically 7,000+ sq ft) and defines what qualifies as safe excess food that can be donated.

This bill would require all NYC city vehicles and city-contracted vehicles to have functioning AM radio receivers within 12 months. Agencies could request exemptions if the requirement would disrupt public safety or health services. The city would track compliance and report annually to the Council.

This bill would create a registry recognizing NYC employers that offer family benefits—like fertility treatment coverage and sick leave—that go above legal requirements. The registry would be publicly listed on the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection website to highlight companies with strong family support policies.