What’s more spooky?: the fact we’re two weeks out from Election Day; or that we have to get into swimwear at SOMOS next month after four weeks of pumpkin beer? How do we alleviate potential stress from both of these spooky situations?
In Washington Heights, Assemblyman Manny De Los Santos co-hosted a Health is Wealth event at Drip Sweat gym, complete with a DJ and Ecuadorian food… In Manhattan, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal’s daughter Lucy became a Brownie Girl Scout (who wants cookies?)… In Brooklyn, Chamber of Commerce CEO Randy Peers was a judge of Burger Bash at the Brooklyn Army Terminal… and on Long Island, Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz shucked oysters at the annual Oyster Fest two-day fair in Oyster Bay…
At the Hilton Midtown, the Alfred E. Smith dinner boasted a slew of political personalities. Former NYC mayors Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio were in attendance, along with Eric Adams. Spotted not on the dais, was Manhattan GOP Chair, AJ Catsimatidis and “I’ve Got A Guy” founder Vinny LeVien. Notably absent was Vice President Kamala Harris, marking the first time in 44 years a presidential candidate did not attend…
New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) just wrapped up a major project, completing the last of 19 rehabilitated homes in partnership with beekeeping Commissioner Adolfo Carrion and the NYC Department of Housing Preservation, the non-profit Restored Homes Housing Development Fund Corporation – with additional funding provided by the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) and JPMorgan Chase. This initiative has enabled 61 families, including 13 former NYCHA residents, to own their first homes—a heartwarming feat that’s drawing praise from local leaders. First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer and NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt were on hand to celebrate the success, along with Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, highlighting how these revitalized homes could be the key to building generational wealth for low- and moderate-income families across the boroughs… (see what public-private partnerships can do?)…
On the topic of housing, Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside Mayor Eric Adams, announced that 71,000 new homes will be built in NYC, with 21,000 of those being affordable units. The homes will be constructed thanks to policies enacted in the state’s FY25 budget, including an extension of the 421-a tax incentive program. It takes a village of political personalities to address the city’s housing crisis including Carlo Scissura, President and CEO of New York Building Congress and Manny Pastreich, President, 32BJ SEIU…
Nassau County is teaming up with former NBA star Jayson Williams to launch a program aimed at helping individuals in addiction recovery obtain commercial driver’s licenses and secure truck driving jobs, funded by $200,000 from opioid lawsuit settlements… County Executive Bruce Blakeman emphasized that this initiative is about providing second chances, with participants potentially earning starting salaries of $65,000…
New York State Senator Jamaal Bailey recently joined the Lavelle School for the Blind in celebrating White Cane Day, an event dedicated to raising awareness about the independence and abilities of visually impaired individuals. The day featured speeches and activities aimed at promoting accessibility and inclusivity, with Jamaal emphasizing the importance of equal opportunities for all…
Former Rep. Carolyn Maloney hosted a fireside chat with her former colleague in Congress, current Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, at Hunter College, where she is the Eleanor Roosevelt Leader in Residence at Roosevelt House. Despite the Friday evening timing, the event was full, with Council Members Gale Brewer and Erik Bottcher in the front row, and former Maloney staffer Cameron Mason on the scene… The audience learned about the 46,000 unhoused people in Los Angeles, how the LA Mayor’s Fund will focus on homelessness prevention… Mayor Bass also spoke specifically about homeless veterans, and the need for a public relations campaign calling on Angelinos to take in veterans… What’s being done for veterans in NYC? Jason Loughran, a US Navy veteran who works for New York City Department of Veterans’ Services, says the State of New York has spent a fraction on veterans’ support services compared to the billions spent on asylum seekers… Council Member Joann Ariola who hosts a variety of veterans-related initiatives in Queens, is currently conducting a bed sheet drive where people can donate full and queen-sized sheets to be distributed to veterans living across NYC, concluding on November 1.
Stay tuned: The annual ‘what to pack for SOMOS’ video tutorial coming up on Instagram… The Nassau Council of Chambers Annual Breakfast…
Political Personality of the Week
Lisa Bova-Hiatt, CEO, NYCHA
Lisa Bova-Hiatt was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) by Mayor Eric Adams on July 6, 2023, after serving as Interim CEO since September 2022. With over 25 years of experience in the public sector, Lisa has held various significant roles throughout her career.
She joined NYCHA in February 2020 as General Counsel, where she led the Law Department and managed key executive matters, including compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agreement and overseeing transformation and implementation plans. Before her tenure at NYCHA, she was General Counsel for the City University Construction Fund and Executive University Counsel at the City University of New York (CUNY).
Earlier in her career, Lisa served as Executive Director of the New York Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, where she was instrumental in the reconstruction of over 12,000 homes and numerous infrastructure projects following natural disasters. Additionally, she spent 19 years at the New York City Law Department, notably as Deputy Chief of the Tax and Bankruptcy Litigation Division, where she specialized in real estate acquisition and development.
Lisa holds degrees from Villanova University and Brooklyn Law School.
Fast Facts:
- Third-generation New Yorker
- Grew up in Brooklyn, but lives on Staten Island
- Spent six-months in the Virgin Islands and in Texas to help recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Harvey.
- Launched a feel-good news Facebook group during pandemic
