2020 Emergency Summer Cooling Credits

If you’re enrolled in the Low Income Discount program, you’ll get a credit on your summer energy bills automatically. The credit is to help with the cost of running your air-conditioning as you stay home because of COVID-19.

Starting in June, you’ll receive emergency summer cooling credits for four months. The first monthly credit is approximately $34. Your monthly credit will vary based on the number of customers enrolled in the program.

You’ll be eligible for the credit through September as long you’re enrolled in the Low Income Discount program as of the 10th of each month. If you have any questions, please email us or call 1-800-75-CONED.

*Credit amounts will vary slightly based on your location.

Customers who are removed from the Low Income Discount program will no longer be eligible to receive the Emergency Summer Cooling Credit.

For more information , please visit https://www.coned.com/en/accounts-billing/payment-plans-assistance/help-paying-your-bill

ConEdison Resources

Get a Free Air Conditioner Through the Home Energy Assistance Program

Apply online, or call 1-212-331-3126 for more information and to get an application.

ConEdison is also giving an emergency summer cooling credit to help clients pay for air conditioning costs. This credit is in addition to the low-income credit the clients should be receiving. 

Call ConEdison at 1212-243-1900 with account and benefit card number to access this special offer.

Con Edison Distributes Ice In Westchester County to Residents Affected by Storm

Con Edison personnel will be at two locations in Westchester County providing ice to customers who lost service due to Storm Isaias. Con Edison will announce locations in Queens and Brooklyn.

The company will also have a mobile information center at each location with workers available to answer questions until 7 p.m.

The ice is already available at two Westchester locations:

  • The Cortlandt Town Center, 3121 East Main St., Mohegan Lake, in the Best Buy parking lot.

  • The Cross County Shopping Center at 8000 Mall Walk in Yonkers.

Current restoration status:

Westchester County 45,000+ customers have been restored, and 83,000 restorations are in progress

For more information, please visit the Con Edison website - https://www.coned.com/en/about-us/media-center/outage-and-restoration-updates

NYS COVID Rental Assistance Program - Applications Now Available

NYS COVID Rental Assistance Program - applications now available @ https://hcr.ny.gov/RRP 

To qualify for the program, applicants must meet all of the eligibility requirements:

· Must be a renter with a primary residence in New York State.

· Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, household income (including unemployment benefits) must be below 80 percent of the Area Median Income, adjusted for household size. Applicants can find the Area Median Income for their county, based on household size, on HCR's website here.

· Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, the household must have been "rent burdened," which is defined as paying more than 30 percent of gross monthly income towards rent.

· Applicants must have lost income during any period between April 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020.

· The application period will be open for two weeks. Residents can apply any time during the two-week period. 

 

June 30th 2020 Meeting on Priorities

Thank you for joining us during our Meeting on Priorities. It was a pleasure listening to ideas and concerns from the community.

To view the recorded meeting and presenter materials see below or Cick Here

Rehousing Strategy, Service Delivery and System Reform Webinar

HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) invited homeless assistance providers and their partners to participate in an hour long webinar featuring three individuals with a history of activism and service to people experiencing homelessness both in shelter and on the streets. Shawn Jones, Eric Sheptock, and Chase Evans shared their perspectives on rehousing strategy, service delivery and system reform. In addition, SNAPS was joined by Aishwarya Raja from Mask Transit who shared how her program provides masks and education to vulnerable communities.

This call was a continuation of SNAPS efforts as they encourage communities to examine their current processes and systems to see how they can more meaningfully and intentionally encourage those with lived experience.

The following presenters were available for a live question and answer session:

  • Shawn Jones, Baltimore Lived Experience Advisory Committee

  • Eric Sheptock, Advocate

  • Chase Evans, The Intentional Homeless Association

  • Aishwarya Raja, Mask Transit

Westchester Urban County Council Public Hearing

Proposed Amendment of the FY 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan and FY 2020 Annual Action Plan

Monday, June 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. to hear comments on a Substantial Amendment to the FY 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan, with amendments to the 2020 Action Plan and the Citizen Participation Plan. Comments will be accepted for five (5) days.

WEBEX Event Information

Meeting number (access code): 161 278 0383

Meeting password: wucc

Join meeting: https://westchestergov.webex.com/westchestergov/onstage/g.php?MTID=e544b1d7669ea96a31f96abfcc09a3e53

Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 US Toll and enter the meeting number when prompted
Global call-in numbers: https://westchestergov.webex.com/westchestergov/globalcallin.php?MTID=m368ccce7af62bc1f7a5d4108b2f59ab4

Toll-free calling restrictions https://www.webex.com/pdf/tollfree_restrictions.pdf

Join from a video system or application:  1612780383@westchestergov.webex.com or enter 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number when prompted

Join using Microsoft Lync or Microsoft Skype for Business: 1612780383.westchestergov@lync.webex.com

For questions, contact Anthony Zaino at 914-995-2429 or abz1@westchestergov.com

 

Forward Together, A Virtual Symposium

June 18, 2020, 10:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. ET

Register now!

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Homeless and Housing Resource Network (HHRN) is excited to present details about this free, national online event. The symposium will feature two plenary sessions and workshops in three tracks.

Plenary Session Speakers

  • Anita Everett, M.D., DFAPA, Center for Mental Health Services, SAMHSA

  • Joshua Bamberger, M.D., M.P.H., Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco

  • David Covington, M.B.A., LPC, RI International, and Behavioral Health Link Partner

  • Brian Sims, M.D., HHRN/National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors

  • Deborah (Deb) Werner, M.A., PMP, HHRN/Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP)

Track A: Customizing Services and Supports for Specific Populations

Proven strategies for addressing unique needs of people experiencing homelessness with complex vulnerabilities, ensuring they receive the care and assistance they deserve.


Moderator: Marty Fleetwood, J.D., HHRN/HomebaseWorkshops:

  • A1. Connecting with Clients:  Beyond Cultural and Social Walls

LaMont Green, D.S.W., LSWAIC, ConsultantDave Katzenmeyer, People Incorporated Mental Health Services

  • A2. Coming In: Addressing Homelessness Across the Life Cycle

Joshua Bamberger, M.D., M.P.H., Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San FranciscoKeyona Cooper, M.S.W., LICSW, Youth Enter Adulthood Ready (YEAR), Inc.

Track B: Transitions to Housing

Innovative and effective approaches, tools, and resources for bridging the gap between homelessness and home for clients.

Moderator: Sherri Downing, HHRN/AHP

Workshops:

  • B1. Moving In: Accessing Permanent Housing

Michele Fuller-Hallauer, M.S.W., LSW, Clark County Social ServiceEmmy Tiderington, Ph.D., M.S.W., LMSW, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

  • B2. Innovations in Housing for People in Transition

Erin Whelan, M.S., LPC-S, LCCA, LifeWorks AustinPatrick Wigmore, HHRN/Homebase

Track C: Crisis Services and Treatment


Specific approaches to reach, engage, and support individuals who are experiencing homelessness and health, mental health, and substance use crises.
Moderator: Dazara D. Ware, M.A., M.P.C., HHRN/Policy Research Associates, Inc.

Workshops:

  • C1. Bringing Crisis Services to People Living without Shelter

Aislinn Bird, M.D., M.P.H., Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless Sheryl Fleisch, M.D., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

  • C2. Emergency Responses at the Epicenter of the Opioid Crisis

Juntira Laothavorn, M.D., PsychiatristMariel Lougee, M.D., Contra Costa County Health Care for the Homeless

Click here to learn more or to register.

***

Join Wednesday’s Targeting Homeless Prevention in the Midst of COVID-19 Webinar - June 10, 2020 at 3:30 PM EDT

HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) invites Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) recipients, homeless assistance providers, and their partners to discuss how to most effectively and efficiently target homeless prevention resources during COVID-19. This will be especially important as ESG recipients consider the best uses of their CARES Act funding.

By the end of the webinar listeners will:

  • Know the elements of a successful prevention strategy and how it supports an overall rehousing strategy

  • Understand the approaches to targeting prevention for maximum effectiveness and efficiency

  • Understand a coordinated investment planning approach with concrete examples of planning for targeted prevention

  • Have the tools to make concrete decisions about the role and scale of targeted prevention efforts

Participants do not need to register in advance. It is strongly recommended that you join this webinar 15 minutes prior to the start time (3:15 PM EDT). To join the webinar, simply access the login page at the link below.

Join the Targeting Homeless Prevention in the Midst of COVID-19 Webinar

Checklist for Homeless Service Providers During Community Re-opening

Across the United States, some states and local areas are preparing to reopen businesses and community centers after closing. Even if COVID-19 cases have decreased in your area, quick spread of this disease in homeless shelters or encampments is possible. Protection of clients and staff remains necessary. During this time, continue to refer to the guidance for homeless service providers and unsheltered homelessness. This checklist was designed to provide homeless service providers – many of whom have remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic – with a reminder of important considerations for service delivery as the surrounding community reopens.

Click Here for More Tips and Checklists.

WRO May is Mental Health Awareness Month Event

Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. invites you to a Zoom Meeting

TOPIC: Housing and your Mental Health

Open to the first 100 people on a first come first serve basis

Date and Time: May 29, 2020 10:30am

Zoom Information: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82621189113

CALL: +1 929 205 6099 MEETING ID: 826 2118 9113

Join us for a presentation followed by questions and answer from the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health. Approximately one in five Americans struggles with Mental Health. Come join us to hear about options available to you in Westchester County.

Engaging Persons with Lived Experience of Homelessness in Your COVID-19 Response Materials

HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) invited homeless assistance providers and their partners to participate in an hour long call to discuss best practices and strategies for engaging persons with lived experience of homelessness in your COVID-19 planning and response. The following presenters were available for a live question and answer session:

  • Kelvin Lassiter, National Coalition for the Homeless

  • Donald Whitehead, National Coalition for the Homeless

  • Shawn Jones, Baltimore Lived Experience Advisory Committee

  • Anthony Williams, Baltimore Lived Experience Advisory Committee

Click here to view the recording and slides from the webinar.

Saint Vincent's 24/7 COVID Support Line

24/7 COVID Support Line 

St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester, A Division of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center 

(914) 925-5959 - 24/7 telephone response 

Walk-in evaluations available 24/7 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison

To support our community at this difficult time, our new COVID Support Line offers callers free and confidential support for those feeling added stress, anxiety and depression due to the pandemic. 

Our team of experienced mental health professionals is available to listen, assist and offer referrals to additional services as needed. 

Individual and group support is available via phone, Telehealth and Zoom video conferencing. 

You’re not alone, call us for help. 

ANNOUNCEMENT - Westchester County DCMH has released the RFP for the FY19 Planning Grant

Westchester County DCMH, as Collaborative Applicant with the CoC, has been awarded a planning grant for certain work concerning the CoC. This Planning Grant is intended to be used for planning and management services, including, without limitation, coordinating and monitoring the activities of the CoC, and monitoring responsibilities, providing oversight of HUD grants, and administering required surveys and reports that go to HUD.

For more information or to apply, go to https://rfp.westchestergov.com/rfp/rfps.