When submitting these types of requests, please make sure you supply enough information to assist us with searching for the requested records (name, date of birth, etc.). Click on the menu icon in the map's upper left corner to select specific program offices. , the court held that a private attorney appointed as a referee in a mortgage foreclosure proceeding was an independent contractor, and therefore not a State employee entitled to defense and indemnification from the State in a subsequent lawsuit brought against him arising out of his service as a referee. The attorney, while an officer of the court as well, must be a zealous advocate for the client in an adversarial process. Taken all steps to get the ward to come to court or to locate the ward if the ward is missing. We have provided legal education for more than 40 years. Electronic filing of documents is not available in Housing Court. GALs should be entitled to immunity or indemnification with respect to their service. It is the Task Forces understanding that more extensive docket/case information is available on the Court Terminals and could be linked to the Court website. The Office of Burial Services will assist you. Subsequent to the appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem, no default judgment maybe entered until 20 days after the appointment of the Guardian. To that end, it is advised that the Judge should, prior to approving a stipulation recommended by a GAL, ascertain if the GAL has at a minimum: In ascertaining the above a Judge either may require the GAL to submit the GAL Case Summary form( CIV-LT-57-2/2007 ) that GALs are now required to fill out for every case or may query the G AL on the record. Learn how you can get covered. However, a recent New York Court of Appeals decision, OBrien v. Spitzer, 2006 Slip Op. The Task Force encourages the Housing Court to continue these efforts by producing a shortened version of the Court-required GAL training, in print and on video/DVD. The Task Force also recognized the need to address a fourth area the impact of the sale of electronic Housing Court data by the Office of Court Administration. CIVIL COURT OF THE CITY OF THE CITY NEW YORK. To the extent that these options cost money, such cost can be offset by charging a nominal fee. The judge before whom the matter was tried dismissed the landlords petition. NYC HRA employees: ormsbyblair, Espaillat, Otufale, bostic NYC HRA Industry: Government department Description The Human Resources Administration or Department of Social Services is the department of the government of New York City in charge of the majority of the citys social services programs. In OBrien, the court held that a private attorney appointed as a referee in a mortgage foreclosure proceeding was an independent contractor, and therefore not a State employee entitled to defense and indemnification from the State in a subsequent lawsuit brought against him arising out of his service as a referee. ); Jan. 15, 2003 NYLJ, pg. In addition, Housing Court now has Resource Centers with Court staff who are available to provide. increasing the number of competent, well-trained GALs and providing adequate support, training and supervision to ensure that they perform their services in an appropriate manner; increasing the involvement of the private bar as. To that end, it is advised that the Judge should, prior to approving a stipulation recommended by a GAL, ascertain if the GAL has at a minimum: Met with the ward and attempted to make a home visit, Determined what the ward desires as an outcome of the case. New York, NY 10038 In addition, I am attaching a copy of HRA's procedure for governing public access to records and documents as well as two HRA program guidelines In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. The documentation should also be submitted with the MAP-751W. (718) 557-1399 (phone) Website. FHEPS: Due to a change in state law which was recently signed by the Governor, starting February 16, 2022, HRA will increase the Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement She lives on the Social Security payments she receives each month. 2007 WL 58197, N.Y.L.J., March 2, 2007, 29:1 (N Y.Sup.App.Term 1st Dept.). 12, 1999, NYU, pg 26 at 1 (AT 1st Dept. There is a diversity of opinion among private attorneys with regard to whether private legal malpractice insurance will cover work performed as a pro bono GAL in Housing Court. NYC Human Resources Administration Employee Directory NYC Human Resources Administration has 319 employees. Burial Allowance Application M-860W View HRA's Interactive Guide to Services. ), Guardians ad litem are appointed by Housing Court judges for litigants with diminished capacity. Keiley Gaston Senior Analyst. The New York State Office of Court Administration (OCA) sells data about eviction cases brought in the New York City Housing Court to Tenant Screening Bureaus (TSB), which use the data to prepare tenant-screening reports that they sell to prospective landlords who want to determine if an applicant was sued by a prior landlord. Please feel free to call or e-mail me or Paul with any questions. The availability of additional internet access (both wi-fi and wired internet access stations) in Housing Court should be explored and, where feasible, should be provided. The Subcommittee agreed on four ways to improve the use of GAL resources in Housing Court. The more extensive information on the Court Terminals should be made available to the public through the Housing Courts website and/or through E-Courts. The newly established email address for service is [emailprotected]. The number of competent, well-trained GALs should be increased and GALs should be provided with adequate support, training and supervision to ensure that they perform their services in an appropriate manner. The Human Resources Administration (HRA) ACCESS HRA website and free mobile app allow you to get information, apply for benefit programs, and view case information online. Contact HRA - HRA Contact Phone Numbers General: Infoline 718-557-1399 Adult Protective Services: 212-630-1853 Child Support Helpline: 888-208-4485 Disability Affairs: 718-291-4141 Registration information filed with the DHCR pursuant to this Part shall not be subject to the Freedom of Information Law, provided that such information relative to a tenant, owner, lessor or subtenant shall be made available to such party or his/her authorized representative. state. Site ID For HRA Partner Organizations Unknown. Please be advised that with regard to your 1st request, Public Officers Law 87(3)(c) requires that the agency: "maintain..a reasonably detailed current list by subject matter of all records in the possession of the agency" The "subject matter list" does not consist of an index or list of every record maintained by an agency; rather, it must consist of a categorization of the kinds of records maintained by an agency. The issue should also be raised in all GAL training materials. Please do not leave credit card information on the voicemail. Ct. NY Co.); New York Life v. Or you can call the Central Complaint Unit at 718-291-4141. fergusfallsjournal.com 125 N Union Ave Suite 301 Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Phone: 218-736-7511 Email: newsroom@fergusfallsjournal.com 933), I hereby request the following records: A listing of every officer and/or employee of the agency, including name, office address, title and salary. With no housing, they may end up in an adult home, or on the street. Indeed, on occasion, tenants do not even recognize that such information may be relevant and helpful to the outcome of their cases. The New York City Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services (HRA/DSS) is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. You or your authorized representative can also apply at any local Medicaid office within New York City. This Report addresses the work of the Resources Subcommittee, which was chaired by Lisa E. Cleary with Justin Kaufman serving as secretary. Such information, including the available subject matter list can be made available if you are interested. A valuable pro bono role can be performed by lawyers through. Finally, the Task Force noted that another way to increase private bar involvement in the GAL program would be to publicize the value of GAL services to the New York legal community. Human Resources Administration (HRA) of New York City | Resources Directory Human Resources Administration (HRA) of New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) of Established by Local Lawin 2019, the Commission on Community Reinvestment and the Closure of Rikers Island is committed to the process of equitable reinvestment of savings from the closure of Rikers for justice-involved and justice-impacted communities. For Lisa E. Cleary, a litigator and partner at Patterson, Belknap, being a guardian ad litem was a life-transforming event. Marcy S. Friedman, to work towards the implementation of some of the reforms recommended at the Conference. This Task Force Report includes recommendations to NYCLA in three targeted areas: improving coordination between various governmental agencies and the Housing Court; expanding use of computer and technology resources in the Housing Court; and establishing guidelines for the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) program, which serves litigants with diminished capacity. In approving a $1.9 million class action settlement filed against First American Registry, Inc. (a company that purchases Housing Court data from OCA) under federal and state consumer protection laws, Judge Kaplan noted that he was troubled because the settlement leaves First Americans business model essentially intact. Under the terms of the settlement, a $100 payment will be made to any tenant who was the subject of a report issued by First American since the suits filing in 2004. The HRA staff notification line is available to keep you updated during citywide emergency situations. I gladly arranged the visit, eager to show, him a picture of my son. To help people who do not have resources, or access to assistance, is a great privilege for me.. All Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests to the Human Resources Administration should be submitted via NYC OpenRecords (nyc.gov/openrecords). (929) 221-5277 Deputy Chief of Staff - Peta-Gayle White (929) 221-8678 Senior Advisor, Strategic Initiatives - Jamar Hooks (929) 221-6681 Senior Advisor, Housing & Homelessness - Sara Zuiderveen (929) 221-6466 Senior Advisor to DSS First Deputy Commissioner - Peta-Gaye A. Daniel (929) 221-6393 Divisions DSS Office of the First Deputy In the event that the Judge requires the submission of the GAL Case Summary, the Judge may order such on the Order Appointing a GAL form (CIV-GP-l12-02/07). You must create an ACCESS HRA account to apply for benefits and view case information that is securely connected to your HRA case. Currently, such information may be available on an individual basis when requested by a tenant from DHCR; however, many tenants are unable or unwilling to follow through with DHCR to obtain relevant or necessary information. citizens, whether rich, poor, or something in between. In addition to being poor, they often are alone in the world. Regarding current subject matter of all records in possession of the agency, an old subject matter list is now available. Excess resources cases will be extended for 6 months. In addition, Housing Court now has Resource Centers with Court staff who are available to provide pro se litigants with procedural information. Given the great strides the Housing Court has made in providing the above resources and assistance to pro se litigants, the Resources Subcommittee focused on other types of resources that would also improve access to justice for Housing Court litigants. HRA accepts applications from residents who are age 65 or over, persons of any age who are living with a disability or blindness, persons who are in receipt of Medicare and are not a parent or caretaker relative of minor children, and former foster young adults under age 26. Ms. McCabe liked the emphasis on problem-solving that her work as a guardian ad litem entailed. ad litem. 2022 All Rights Reserved, NYC is a trademark and service mark of the City of New York, Serving New Yorkers with Care & Compassion, OCA-960 Authorization for Release of Health Information Pursuant to HIPAA, Visit our Disability Access page for more information, Domestic Violence & Emergency Intervention: 800-621-4673, Family Independence Administration Automated Line: 718-722-8009, HIV/AIDS Services Administration: 212-971-0626, Medical Assistance Program Surplus Helpline: 929-221-0835. Learn more about HRA programs. 25 at, 6 (Sup. We expect that we will be able to respond to your request on or about January 30, 2015. With the advent of OCAs sale of this data, that advice might then result in a tenant becoming blacklisted. The sale of electronic Housing Court data to TSBs, without any restrictions or regulation by OCA, impedes tenants assertion of the warranty of habitability, and has a negative impact on preservation of the housing stock, a purpose for which Housing Court was established. 05158 (June 29, 2006), raises serious questions as to whether individuals serving as GALs will be entitled to indemnification from the State. The signature on the form must be notarized for identity verification purposes. Read the 2021 Commission on Community Reinvestment and the Closure of Rikers Island Report. William J. Ms. Zelhof of MFY Legal Services emphasizes the extreme vulnerability of persons with diminished capacity. Here she describes a case she worked on a decade ago: My greatest accomplishment as a lawyer will always be my work on behalf of a mentally disabled indigent client, for whom I served as a guardian ad litem. With the help of her court appointed guardian ad litem, Ms. S, an elderly tenant facing eviction, retained MFY Legal Services to defend against the nuisance holdover action brought against her by her landlord in Housing Court. The HRA staff notification line is available to keep you updated during citywide emergency situations. ABOUT US | HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an industry-leading real estate, economic development, and public policy consulting firm that helps create more equitable, resilient, and dynamic communities. Clients do not need to provide proof of their Medicare application; this requirement is waived for the period of the COVID-19 emergency. The Human Resources Administration (HRA) ACCESS HRA website and free mobile app allow you to get information, apply for benefit programs, and view case information online. ny.us/courts/nyc/housing/index.shtml). He believes that New York Rent Stabilization Code (RSL) 2526.5 and 2528 make potentially relevant and helpful DHCR information confidential and, therefore, prohibit the DHCR from making rent records accessible to the Court without a partys permission. This would be for them a death sentence.. After the Conference, NYCLA issued a Report (available on the NYCLA website at http://www.nycla.org/siteFiles/Publications/Publicationsl95__0.pdf), which contained recommendations and proposals for reform, including establishment of a right to counsel in Housing Court for parties unable to afford counsel, as a means to reduce homelessness in New York City; improved resources, especially for litigants of diminished capacity; and establishment of Protocols and Best Practices (or standards) for more active oversight by judges of cases in which a pro se party is opposed by a represented party. A copy of the current subject matter, of all records in possession of the agency;2. After the judge ordered the landlord to fix these conditions, the guardian ad litem and MFY lawyer together coordinated the extensive repair project with the client and contractor to ensure that the client could safely remain in her apartment while the repairs were being made. My apologies for the delays. Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. A certified social worker should be assigned to each of the five boroughs to streamline the assessment process and ensure that each litigant who requires an assessment receives it in Court on the day of the litigants appearance. Through her efforts as guardian, and the work of an MFY lawyer, the man was restored to his room by a judge and his possessions returned to him. Login - Attest to health issues related to Covid-19 such as quarantine or hospitalization. As noted above, limited internet access is currently available to, litigants who have cases pending in the Civil Court of the City of New York, including Housing Court. The Human Resources Administration (HRA) is the nation's largest social services agency and assists over three million lowincome and vulnerable New Yorkers annually Call the HRA Medicaid Helpline at 1-888-692-6116 for more information or visit a Medicaid Office to apply. Justice Fisher advised the Task Force of the need to double the current pool of certified GALs from 100 to 200 individuals. MFY Legal Services, Inc. is willing to oversee the creation of the training video/DVD to be used by private bar attorneys working with legal services providers throughout the City. 2022 All Rights Reserved, NYC is a trademark and service mark of the City of New York, Serving New Yorkers with Care & Compassion, Interagency Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Read the 2021 Commission on Community Reinvestment and the Closure of Rikers Island Report, Read the 2022 Mayoral Response to Recommendations from the Commission on Community Reinvestment and the Closure of Rikers Island, Read the DSS COVID-19 Return to Office Plan 2021. Contact the NYC HRA Office of Burial Services (OBS) Our office is now located at: 33-28 Northern Blvd. Second, attorneys serving as GALs at the request of legal services groups are given substantial direction by the legal services agency with respect to APS/benefits issues/one- shot grants, etc., and their experiences as lawyers should decrease the amount of training required to qualify them as Court-approved GALs. The Subcommittee recognizes that the New York City Housing Court has made significant improvements in the past decade under the leadership of Justice Fern Fisher, Administrative Judge for the Civil Court of the City of New York, in developing extensive resources for pro se litigants. The task force and other proponents of this resolution are convinced it is time for this nation to guarantee its low-income people equality before the law as a matter of right, including the legal resources required for such equality, beginning with these cases where basic human needs are at stake. NEW YORK COUNTY LAWYERS ASSOCIATION For these reasons, among others, there is good reason why a day-long training is not necessary for attorneys. Although the duties of a GAL in a summary proceeding are different from those in a negligence, Article 81 or other proceeding involving substantial sums of money and a GAL is not the guardian of the litigants property nor does the GAL have control over the litigants finances, there is a concern about potential liability in connection with GAL service and the potential chilling effect this could have on expanding the role of private attorneys in the GAL process. The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). Therefore, an electronic filing system for Housing Court through OCA is several years away. Consumer/Provider Request to CHange Informaiton on File (MAP-751k). All hours are Monday to Friday except where otherwise noted. Jonathan Haragold Principal. Without these efforts expended by Ms. Brown as guardian ad litem and Allegra Chapman of MFY Legal Services, the woman could have ended up being institutionalized. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. Docket/case information and case filings are available to attorneys and litigants in the federal court system and should similarly be made available in Housing Court. During the COVID-19 Emergency, applications may be submitted via fax to 917-639-0732. The Medicaid cases will not close for any of these consumers and coverage will be extended, whether or not the client returned the renewal, as per New York State COVID-19 emergency easements. Without knowing the consequences of his act, he had agreed to surrender the room to the building owner. Tenants who have been sued by a prior landlord report finding themselves blacklisted from renting another apartment, regardless of whether the case was meritorious or whether the tenant was justified in withholding rent. 12, 1999, NYU, pg 26 at 1 (AT 1st Dept. Ms. Brandner met with his psychiatrist at St. Lukes and met with his parents. The landlord commenced a nonpayment action against Ms. G, alleging that she owed $2,500 in rent. However, no Court has addressed the issue directly in the context of GALs. The two roles are distinct, as are the obligations.. Through integrated management for HRA and DHS, client services can be provided more seamlessly and effectively. He indicated that DHCR had concerns about the scope of access to its database, who would be authorized to access the data and under what circumstances. Records are made available through the Agency's Records Access Officer. To improve efficiency and access to justice for litigants in Housing Court, private law firms should be encouraged to serve as GALs. Any default judgment entered in cases where a GAL has already been appointed should be entered only after the Judge is aware of the circumstances and the welfare of the incapable adult is considered. BML Realty Group v. Jack Samuels. programs/services, Receipt and decontrol of HRA rent arrears checks and subpoena responses delivered to the Court, It is also the Task Forces understanding that the OCA Division of Technology has made Housing Court calendar information available on the New York State Unified Court System E-Courts web page (, https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/caseTrac/jsp/ecourt.htm. NYCLA subsequently created the NYCLA Task Force on the Housing Court (hereinafter Task Force), co-chaired by Professor Paula Galowitz and Hon. The members of the Task Force and of its Subcommittees served in their individual capacities. Single Site/Congregate Supportive Housing: Given this legal landscape, the Task Force believes that the AGs opinion letter will not provide the protection to adequately assuage the concerns of private lawyers interested in serving as GALs. HRA should participate in Guardian Ad Litem training programs. Early in the proceedings, the judge had sent a court resource assistant to the apartment to conduct an inspection. for my son. The Task Force believes it would be useful for Housing Court Judges to be able to request reports that track cases by using metrics such as: Guardian Ad Litem appointments; judge; address of property/building at issue; attorney; default judgments that have been vacated with cases restored to the calendar; executed warrants, etc. Learn more. Also, regarding FOIL request logs for 2012 and 2013, please be advised that while such records are maintained, they are currently in a non-final form, with considerable amounts of confidential information and other non-final information and errors requiring correction. (D). GALs and providing adequate support, training and supervision to ensure that they perform their services appropriately; standardizing Court procedures to ensure the preservation of due process rights of litigants with diminished capacity; and. Per NEW YORK PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW, ARTICLE 6, Section 87(3)(b): "Each agency shall maintain:[.](b) a record setting forth the name, public office address, title and salary of every officer or employee of the agency.".