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New York has distributed less than $1 million — about 3% — of the $27 million relief fund it pledged for undocumented immigrants and others ineligible for federal assistance after Hurricane Ida, which happened close to five months ago. About 500 applicants are supposed to get payments, but administrators do not anticipate the fund will be exhausted. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal includes the leftover funds, which would ensure they’re available, but Hochul hasn’t specified how they will be used. Groups distributing the money are pushing for the government to create a permanent relief fund for undocumented immigrants affected by a similar disaster in the future. THE CITY
In other local immigration news…
Nearly Half of New Yorkers Waiting for Vendor Licenses are From Brooklyn and the Bronx
There are 11,923 open applications on the New York City Department of Consumer Worker Protections’ waiting list for vendor licenses. Of those vendors, 2,928 are Brooklyn based and 2,837 are in the Bronx. Advocates are demanding the state senate to pass bill S1175A to legitimize about 20,000 vendors in the state. Pascual Domingo, a Fordham road vendor selling rice and beans, said he has been waiting for an update on his application since 2015. Marta Delriego, a vendor of hand-knit accessories said the city has denied her application twice without proper explanation. BronxTimes
ICYMI: Everything You Need to Know About Fire and Safety Rental Rights
📍Documented Original
Following the recent fires in the Bronx that took the lives and homes of immigrants, members of Documented’s WhatsApp community have asked us questions regarding their rights as tenants. New York law requires landlords to provide a safe, well-maintained structure that is secure and free of vermin, leaks and other hazards. Tenants are also protected from discrimination and harassment, as well as from eviction without proper procedure. Documented created a city-backed guidance that informs immigrants of how to protect themselves as tenants.