NYC Housing Connect is a portal to find and apply for affordable rental and homeownership opportunities across the five boroughs of New York City. To qualify, your household must meet the income and size requirements for a unit in the affordable development. You will be able to set up a profile on the new Housing Connect that will match you with hundreds of thousands of affordable housing re-rentals.

This social story was created by ASERT to provide a visual guide for people with autism about wearing a mask to avoid spreading germs. The resource includes why it's important to wear a mask, as well as information about how to safely wear and remove masks. The resource is translated into Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and Burmese. An animated version is also available.

On July 29, 2020, the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) released COVID-19 updated guidance regarding staffing and returning to work. 

Revised Staff Guidance for the Management of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Facilities or Programs Operated and/or Certified by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities 

To help New Yorkers beat the heat during heat emergencies, New York City has implemented a number of measures through the Cool It! NYC initiative. These measures include: 

• More than 260 new cooling and misting sites in parks in heat-burdened neighborhoods

• More than 200 Cooling Centers open throughout the city

• More than 300 hydrants opened with spray caps installed by FDNY and DEP

• 16 Cool Streets

•  Eight public pools open across the city

•  650 spray showers in city parks (available every day of the summer)

Social City is offering support groups for parents (you do not need to be a Social City parent to join),  on Tuesday July 28th & Wednesday August 19th from 7 - 8pm.

• Topic for Tuesday, July 28 - Helping to navigate & cope with feelings surrounding the pandemic and associated changes. 

• Topic for Wednesday, August 19 - Approaching the unknown: an uncertain school year, managing work and childcare, and supporting your children.

The COVID Rent Relief Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance. Applications will be accepted throughout the two-week application period. HCR will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need” accounting for income, rent burden, percent of income lost and risk of homelessness.

The New York City Department of Education (DOE) will be sharing their reopening plans through online information sessions. Families are encouraged to attend to learn more about the DOE's plans for the 2020–2021 school year. Information sessions are currently scheduled for July 28th, August 12th or August 27th.