The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the new Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
The fiscal year 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants are open for applications now through July 10, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted. In 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $800 million in grant awards for over 500 projects through the first round of SS4A funding.
Award announcements are expected to be made by late 2023.
The following groups of applicants are eligible for the SS4A grant program:
A political subdivision of a State or territory, defined in the FY23 Notice of Funding Opportunity as a unit of government created under the authority of State law. This includes cities, towns, counties, special districts, certain transit agencies, and similar units of local government.
A federally recognized Tribal government.
Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs).
A multijurisdictional group of entities from the ones described above (select one lead applicant from group).
The following activities are eligible for the SS4A program:
Develop or update a comprehensive safety action plan (Action Plan). This includes:
Developing an Action Plan;
Conducting supplemental planning in support of an Action Plan;
Carrying out demonstration activities in support of an Action Plan.
Conducting planning, design, and development activities for projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan.
Carry out projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan.
There are two types of SS4A grants: Planning and Demonstration Grants and Implementation Grants.
Communities can use Planning and Demonstration Grants to develop or complete an Action Plan, conduct supplemental planning, and/or conduct demonstration activities that will inform the development of an Action Plan. Implementation Grants fund projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan that address roadway safety problems. Implementation Grants may also fund supplemental planning and demonstration activities as described above on this website, as well as planning, design, and development activities for projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan.
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Special Committee on Aging, recently held a press conference at the Bethpage Senior Community Center to reveal her 5-point Master Plan on Aging, which would ensure every American has the support needed to age with dignity and financial security.
Senator Gillibrand explains, “There is an urgent need for the Master Plan; the population of the United States is aging rapidly and by 2034, the number of adults age 65 and older will be greater than the number of children under 18 for the first time ever.”
Senator Gillibrand’s Master Plan on Aging includes:
1. Ensuring the Right to Affordable and Healthy Meals
Increase funding for the Older Americans Act
Provide a pathway for nutritious meals, meal deliveries, and social connections for the 5.2 million older adults in the United States
The Senior Hunger Prevention Act to ensure older adults, grandparent and kinship caregivers, and adults with disabilities are able to access the food they need and stretch their budgets
Guaranteeing the Right to Affordable Health Care and Prescription Drugs
Passing The Lower Drug Costs for Families Act
Passing The Prescription Drug Price Relief Act
Passing The Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act
3. Protecting Social Security and Financial Security
Passing The Social Security Expansion Act
Passing The Social Security Fairness Act
Ending elder abuse and put a stop to financial predators
Passing The Senior Financial Empowerment Act
--Centralize services for consumer education and data on scams and fraud targeting older adults
--Improve reporting of suspected instances of elder financial abuse
--Educate certain entities regarding elder financial abuse
--Create a grant program to prevent mail, telemarketing, and internet fraud
--Direct the National Institutes of Health to conduct scientific research on older adults’ increased vulnerability to scams
Designate a National Senior Fraud Awareness Week (March)
Promoting Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) guidance on frauds/scams involving peer-to-peer apps.
4. Safeguarding the Right to Age in Place
Passing The Better Care Better Jobs Act
Passing The Domestic Worker Bill of Rights Act
--Fill in key gaps in employment protections
--Build on state innovations to create workplace protections specific to domestic work
--Provide tailored protections for the most vulnerable and trafficked workers
--Ensure that federal agencies competently support and protect domestic workers
--Commission research to better protect and stabilize this workforce.
--Invest in the stability and expansion of this workforce
--Support innovative new worker education and empowerment models
--Address employers’ needs
5. Investing in Aging Friendly Spaces and Employment
Delivering funding for the Senior Corps program at the Corporation for National and Community Service in FY23
Developing legislation to end the use of forced arbitration in cases of aging discrimination
Efforts to address transportation, mobility, the digital divide, affordable housing, social isolation, loneliness, and bereavement
To help individuals and families experiencing homelessness move into permanent housing, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced $2.8 billion in Continuum of Care (CoC) Competition Awards for thousands of local homeless service and housing programs across the United States. These awards are intended to achieve the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of reducing homelessness by 25% by 2025 and ultimately ending it.
Long Island will receive $15,729,385 of this funding.
Greta Guarton, Executive Director at Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, stated, “We are very excited to announce that the Long Island COC, NY-603, was awarded almost $16 million in federal funding to create and/or continue programs serving homeless persons in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. This amount also included funding for the region’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and Planning funds.”
The CoC program is designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. The program is the largest source of federal grant funding for homeless services and housing programs servicing people experiencing homelessness.
This funding builds on a $315 million first-of-its-kind package of resources that HUD awarded in January 2023 to help communities provide housing and supportive services to people in unsheltered settings and people experiencing homelessness in rural areas. As a part of the January funding, communities were asked to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing unsheltered and rural homelessness that involves coordination with health care providers, other housing agencies such as public housing authorities, and people with lived experience of homelessness.
In August 2022, HUD issued the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the fiscal year 2022 CoC competition awards. Specifically, HUD sought projects that:
End homelessness for all persons experiencing homelessness;
Place emphasis on racial equity and anti-discrimination policies for LGTBQ+ individuals;
Use a Housing First approach;
Reduce unsheltered homelessness and reduce the criminalization of homelessness;
Improve system performance;
Partner with housing agencies to leverage access to mainstream housing programs;
Partner with health agencies to coordinate health and supportive services, including to prevent and respond to future infectious disease outbreaks;
Advance racial equity and addressing racial disparities in homelessness;
Engage people with lived experience of homelessness in decision-making; and
Support local engagement to increase the supply of affordable housing.
All applications submitted by NY-603 to HUD for consideration under the Continuum of Care program were fully funded, including all existing COC programs and one new program submitted under the DV Bonus funding.
A bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers, environmentalists, construction groups and labor union representatives are pushing in the final days of New York State budget negotiations for a plan to fund a dramatic expansion of sewers and high-tech septic systems in Suffolk County, Newsday reports. The groups are backing language in state Senate and Assembly budget bills that would allow a referendum on the November ballot for county voters to consider a 1/8-cent sales tax increase. If passed, the Suffolk County Legislature would need to decide whether to put the plan on November’s ballot.
Nearly 75% of Suffolk homes rely on traditional septic systems or cesspools that don't reduce nitrogen concentrations. Such systems account for 63.6% of the nitrogen that reaches the groundwater, according to the county’s Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan adopted in 2020, Newsday summarizes. Advocates say the ambitious plan would provide a stable revenue source to fund comprehensive wastewater treatment and reverse decades of nitrogen pollution in Suffolk.
“It is well established that Suffolk County is facing a water quality crisis, and voters should get the opportunity to decide if they want to invest in the infrastructure needed to restore this resource, which is vital to public health, the economy and to property values," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone tells the outlet.
The proposed sales tax, if successful, would help fund construction of new sewers in areas where they would be appropriate and installing high-tech septic systems at homes and businesses. The county projects the increase could generate $57.8 million in its first year and a total of $3.1 billion between 2024 and 2060. It would be used as a local match to secure future federal and state grants. Suffolk County deputy county executive Peter Scully explains to Newsday; the new legislation stipulates the money can only be used for its intended purposes.
“If Albany passes this legislation to consider a County Wastewater District, it will be on the ballot in the fall. The ability for Suffolk to have a dedicated source of funding to match potential Federal infrastructure dollars will jump start sewer projects in local communities,” states Eric Alexander, Director of Vision Long Island and the Long Island Main Street Alliance. “Vision Long Island has lobbied for sewer funding in Washington, Albany and Suffolk County for sewers in Mastic, Shirley, Mastic Beach, Kings Park, Huntington Station and Central Islip. Some of those projects took decades. This initiative will radically speed up the process and help us reach more communities that want sewers for their downtown.”
“Along with Vision, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, the LI Federation of Labor and others joined a number of environment, labor and community organizations in support of sewers. This was also a priority in Albany this year, and last year, with over 40 business, civic groups from the LI Lobby Coalition engaged,” Mr. Alexander concludes.
Senator Schumer Reveals LI Fire Departments Need A Major Rescue
Standing with firefighters and public safety supporters at the East Willison Fire Department on March 27th, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer revealed that Long Island fire departments are nail-biting over the future of a federal funding programs they not only use – but really need to save lives and keep safe.
Senator Schumer said the FEMA programs he wrote, called Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG), and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants are in limbo because they are not authorized for funding beyond 2023 and that doing so will require the Senate and the House to pass legislation to extend them, and include the program in the overall budget. The senator said there is great worry that some folks will seek cuts for the sake of cuts and that AFG and SAFER grants are amongst the top target by some members.
“Long Island has a very unique need when it comes to the work of fire departments and fire fighters, and that is why federal help is so critical here,” said Senator Schumer. “First, the island is huge. Second, it’s got a lot of people. Third, diverse structures. So, whether it’s paid or volunteer, this Island has needs that are a lot like the city, and that costs dollars, but it should not be all on the backs of locals. In fact, it can’t be. They cannot afford to shoulder the full costs of fire and EMS safety.”
Since the start of the AFG and SAFER programs, the senator added, New York has received nearly $700 million in federal funding through these critical programs, and millions have come to Long Island, but more is needed because the work is never done. “We’ve secured money for new fire trucks, better equipment, and to hire more firefighters across the Island in communities that need them most. I’ve fought my whole career to bring more support to our brave firefighters. Every day they save lives and I promise that I will not stop holding congressional feet to the fire until we pass the bill that saves this federal lifeline for our New York fire departments and first responders.”
Over the last 20 years, Senator Schumer’s fire department programs have delivered nearly $700 million in federal funding to NY firefighters and first responders, including millions for Long Island. He warned today that if new legislation doesn’t pass, Long Island fire departments will not be able to access this funding in 2024.
Senator Schumer originally created the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program in 1999, which later expanded to also include the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program, and the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) programs.
The following fire departments are just some that have received SAFG funds in 2020 or 2021:
WILLISTON PARK FD: 2021-SCBA (Regional award with East Williston FD)
EAST WILLISTON FD: 2021-PPE (Regional award with Williston Park FD)
ALBERTSON FD: 2021-PPE
GREAT NECK VIGILANT HOOK AND LADDER CO.: 2020-RADIOS; 2021-PPE
GREAT NECK ALERT FIRE COMPANY: 2020-SCBA
PORT WASHINGTON FD: 2020-RADIOS, 2021 RESCUE TRUCK.
PORT WASHINGTON FIRE MEDIC COMPANY #1: EMS PPE
MINEOLA FD: 2018-SCBA
ROSLYN RESCUE FD 2020-radios
New York State has finalized the list of identified “disadvantaged communities” to be targeted for extra funding and cleanup in the state’s largescale multibillion-dollar climate plan.
Criteria was established by the Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG), as required by the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The Climate Act requires New York State to invest or direct resources to ensure that disadvantaged communities receive at least 35 percent, with the goal of 40 percent, of overall benefits of spending on clean energy and energy efficiency programs. The Climate Act also requires State agencies and entities to prioritize greenhouse gas emissions co-pollutant reductions and ensure State decision-making does not disproportionately burden disadvantaged communities.
The CJWG worked to identify disadvantaged communities by evaluating, and ultimately voting on 45 indicators, including: environmental burdens and climate change risks; socio-demographic factors such as age, race, and income; and health vulnerabilities. Using a methodology that worked at the census tract level, the CJWG combined and ranked all indicators into an overall score.
In addition to the geographic component, the criteria include low-income households located anywhere in New York State for the purpose of investing or directing clean energy and energy efficiency programs, projects, and investments. These individual households report annual total income at or below 60 percent of the State median income, or households otherwise eligible for low-income programs.
There were 1,736 census tracts recognized across New York State under this criterion. The information below is a list of identified disadvantaged communities in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Nassau County (Census Track)
Westbury Village (36059304100)
New Cassel (36059304202, 36059304203, 36059304204)
Elmont (36059404902)
Hempstead village (36059406701, 36059406702, 36059406801, 36059406802, 36059406900, 36059407000, 36059407101, 36059407201, 36059407203, 36059407204)
Uniondale (36059407301, 36059407302, 36059407401, 36059407402, 36059407501, 36059407502)
East Meadow (36059407900)
Valley Stream village (36059410400, 36059410500, 36059410800, 36059410900)
Inwood (36059411000, 36059411100)
Rockville Centre village (36059412400)
Oceanside (36059413002)
Roosevelt (36059413900, 36059414001, 36059414002)
Freeport village 36059414201, 36059414202, 36059414301, 36059414303, 36059414304, 36059414400, 36059414502)
Long Beach city (36059416500)
Glen Cove city (36059517101, 36059517200)
East Massapequa (36059522000)
Suffolk County (Census Track)
Huntington Station (36103111100)
East Farmingdale (36103122403, 36103123201)
West Babylon (36103123002)
North Amityville (36103123202, 36103123301, 36103123302)
Copiague (36103123701, 36103123702)
Brentwood (36103145603, 36103145604, 36103145605, 36103201100)
Islandia village (36103145804)
North Bay Shore (36103145902)
Bay Shore (36103146003, 36103147300)
Central Islip (36103145703, 36103146203, 36103146300, 36103146403, 36103146404)
Gordon Heights (36103158705)
Ridge (36103158710)
Patchogue village (36103158900, 36103159000)
East Patchogue (36103159102)
Brookhaven (36103159103, 36103159204)
Yaphank (36103159106)
Shirley (36103159408, 36103159505)
Mastic Beach (36103159508)
Calverton (36103169704)
Riverhead (36103169800, 36103169901)
Greenport village (36103170101)
Flanders (36103190401)
Westhampton Beach village (36103190502)
Pinball Long Island is now open for business in downtown Patchogue, Greater Long Island reports. The village is now home to the largest collection of pinball machines anywhere in New York state.
Owner Joshua Guskin, a lifelong pinball enthusiast, has spent nearly two decades collecting, restoring and reselling classic and modern machines, the owner told the outlet.
“Patchogue is the perfect spot for Pinball Long Island,” Mr. Guskin stated, citing all the shops and restaurants. “Pinball Long Island finally came together and opening up our doors has been a dream come true,” he said.
Located at 44 W. Main Street, entry fee into the arcade is $20, or $10 for children under 10. Once inside, players get unlimited access to more than 100 machines, including an array of vintage machines, and staying for as long as they like. “I hope everyone can come down and enjoy themselves just as much as I enjoyed creating this place,” Mr. Guskin told Greater Long Island.
Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) was founded in 1985 as a grassroots local advocacy effort to bring non-profits and other community partners together to unite around the cause of homelessness, seeking to expand and enhance services to meet local needs. Its mission is “To end homelessness on Long Island, and alleviate the issues associated with homelessness and poverty for homeless and at-risk persons in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.” LICH has expanded services to continually align with local community needs and approaches that evidence shows to be most effective in addressing homelessness.
Right now, LICH has two calls to action:
1. Veterans Community Garden – Starting on April 5th, community service hours are available to help with the organic vegetable garden located on the north side of Amityville Community Resource Center, 600 Albany Avenue, Amityville. The Garden Club meets Wednesdays, 4 PM to 7 PM from April through November. Email Bailey at Briekkinen@addressthehomeless.org for more information or to RSVP.
2. The Scott Martella Supply Our School Drive, May through July 26, 2023. Items needed include backpacks, folders, notebooks, pens, lunchboxes, glue sticks, binders, index cards, scissors, calculators, highlighters, hand sanitizer and more. For more information visit www.addressthehomeless.org or Facebook/backpackpirates.
Times are tough, let’s all extend a helping hand.
The Baldwin Civic Association, in collaboration with US Green Building Council of Long Island, Let’s Move LI, Transit Solutions and other partners and sponsors, and in celebration of National Bike Month, will be hosting a fun and inclusive event that brings together people of all ages and abilities to celebrate the joy of cycling.
There will be a bicycle clinic for free safety checks and training, followed by a group walk/ride around the neighborhood. The purpose of this event is to create an opportunity for Baldwin residents to meet new people, explore the community, get active and promote physical fitness as well as more sustainable modes of transportation.
The event will be held on May 13th and will run from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The bicycle clinic will start at Baldwin Park’s parking lot between the hockey rink and tennis courts for an hour and by 11:00 AM, it will proceed as a walk & bike parade on Wolfson Drive.
This event will also give local merchants along Atlantic Avenue the opportunity to promote their businesses via discount coupons or promotional items synergizing opportunities for all.
Join with the Baldwin Civic Association to support this fun and inclusive event to help create a more vibrant and sustainable community.
Each Memorial Day Weekend, East End Arts in Riverhead unleashes the creativity of the neighborhood and brings the community together for the Mosaic Street Painting Festival.
For one day, East End Arts converts the Downtown Riverhead area by the Peconic River into a celebration of the arts. It’s a day to stroll, enjoy the fresh air, watch artists in action, and participate in family-oriented activities. Music fills the air as do the enticing smells of the local food trucks.
Artists, musicians, and art lovers of all ages participate or watch as artists convert squares of the street into vibrant and moving works of art.
There’s something for everyone at this family-friendly event:
Street Painting for all ages and skill levels
Live Music
Interactive Art
Kids Zone
Craft & Artisan Vendors
Food Trucks & Local Restaurants
Fine Arts Sale
Drum Circle
Dance & Theatre performances
The event will be held on Sunday, May 28th, from 12 PM to 5 PM.
For 17 years, the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (LIHCC) honors women who are exceptional business leaders, community advocates, as well as inspirational role models. This event celebrates women in the workforce and recognizes their contribution to the Hispanic and minority communities they serve.
The 17th Annual Latina Hat Luncheon will be held on May 31st at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville, from 11 AM to 3 PM.
To support this event and to celebrate its distinguished honorees, payment for Individual Member, Non-Member tickets and event journal advertisements are secured via credit card by calling the office at (516) 333-0105. Please RSVP by May 19, 2023.
Please join for a special interview with Keith McKnight and Vanessa Henderson.......Check it out!!
Please join us for a special interview with Chris Fusco........Check it out!!!!!
Please join us for a special interview with Steve Englebright...........Check it out!!
Join us for a interview with special guest Phil Eng.......Check it out!!
Please join us for a special interview with the Founder and Director of Green Inside And Out Beth Fiteni. We will be discussing different ways to help our environment.....check it out!!!
Please join us for a special interview with Bill Florio, The President of Valley Stream Historical Society. Check it Out!!!
Please join us with a special guest, PSEG Manager Of Economic and Community Development John Keating.
Long Island Main Street News
Contributors:
Eric Alexander, Director; Tawaun Weber, Assistant Director; Elissa Kyle, Placemaking Director;
Linda Henninger, Outreach Coordinator; Jen Makaw, Communications Consultant
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