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JULY 15 - JULY 21, 2020 • VOL. 21 • NO. 28 WASHINGTON HEIGHTS • INWOOD • HARLEM • EAST HARLEM NORTHERN MANHATTAN’S BILINGUAL NEWSPAPER EL PERIODICO BILINGUE DEL NORTE DE MANHATTAN NOW EVERY WEDNESDAY TODOS LOS MIERCOLES COVID-19 FOOD TESTING ASSISTANCE COPE WITH BULLYING + CARE TENANT PROTECTION SUPPORT. NOT FEAR. All New Yorkers can access health care and social services regardless of immigration status, ability to pay, or employment status. Learn more at nyc.gov/immigrants or call 311. EMERGENCY FREE LEGAL MEDICAID HELP Questions about immigration and use of public benefits? Call ActionNYC at 1-800-354-0365 for connections to City-funded, free and confidential immigration legal help. 2 JULY 15, 2020 • MANHATTAN TIMES • www.manhattantimesnews.com New COVID-19 rental assistance t’s help for home. A new rental subsidy program has been announced. I An emergency rental assistance program to assist New Yorkers who lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been announced. Designed to keep low-income tenants in their homes, the COVID Rent Relief Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy paid directly to landlords and housing providers. Tenants are not required to repay this assistance. The program is administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) and funded through the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Applications will be accepted for a two-week To qualify for the program, • Applicants must have lost income period beginning on July 16. applicants must meet the following during any period between April 1, “Since day one we made eligibility requirements: 2020 and July 31, 2020. it clear that no New Yorkers • Must be a renter with a primary • The application period will be open for should be thrown on the streets residence in New York State. two weeks. Residents can apply any because of hardships caused by this • Before March 1, 2020 and at the time time during the two-week period. pandemic,” Cuomo said in a statement. of application, household income Applicants will be prioritized by HCR “It’s critically important that people are (including unemployment benefits) must based on economic need, accounting able to stay safely in their homes as we be below 80 percent of the Area Median for income, rent burden, percent of progress through our data-driven, phased Income, adjusted for household size. of application, the household must have income lost and risk of homelessness. reopening, and the COVID Rent Relief Applicants can find the Area Median been “rent burdened,” which is defined The rental assistance payment will cover Program reinforces that commitment Income for their county, based on as paying more than 30 percent of gross the difference between the household’s with direct assistance to those in the household size. monthly income towards rent. See RENTAL p12 greatest need.” • Before March 1, 2020 and at the time Nueva asistencia de alquiler COVID-19 Los inquilinos no están obligados a pagar la asistencia. s ayuda para el hogar. Los inquilinos no están obligados a pagar esta asistencia. E Se ha anunciado un programa de El programa es administrado por Hogares del asistencia de alquiler de emergencia para estado de Nueva York and Community Renewal ayudar a los neoyorquinos que perdieron (HCR) y financiado por el Fondo de Alivio de ingresos debido a la pandemia de COVID-19. Coronavirus. Diseñado para mantener a los inquilinos de Las solicitudes serán aceptadas por un período bajos ingresos en sus hogares, el Programa de dos semanas a partir del 16 de julio. COVID Rent Relief proporcionará a los hogares “Desde el primer día dejamos en claro que elegibles un subsidio de alquiler único que no se debería dejar a los neoyorquinos en las se pagará directamente a los propietarios y calles debido a las dificultades causadas por esta proveedores de vivienda. Vea ALQUILER p12 JULY 15, 2020 • MANHATTAN TIMES • www.manhattantimesnews.com 3 “When the nation bleeds, Harlem hemorrhages” Local entrepreneurs afraid that number will be close to 0.5 percent,” Woods-Black remarked. on businesses She noted that Sylvia’s, which opened in 1962, had survived past crises such as in crisis drug wars, riots of the 1960s, crime waves and 9/11, but said COVID-19 presented a By Gregg McQueen challenge like no other. “This is different. This is the first time lack business matters too. in our history that we had to lay off the majority of our staff,” she said. “It was B A recent virtual panel discussion an impact that was felt by the entire delved into the experience of Black community... because for many years, restaurant and bar owners in New York Sylvia’s Restaurant was the largest City. minority employer in Harlem.” With the national spotlight focused on Woods-Black does not consider Phase racial equality, entrepreneurs called on 2 to be a “reopening” as other restaurant New Yorkers to support businesses in and bar owners have called it, she said, as predominantly Black neighborhoods. businesses are still only doing a fraction of the revenues they did prior to the “It’s imperative that dollars really The virtual panel discussion. circulate within our own communities,” pandemic. said Melba Wilson, the owner of Harlem “This is not a reopening, because we’re eatery Melba’s Restaurant. wake of financial struggles brought nowhere close to being where we were “People look at going down to Soho on by the pandemic. prior to COVID,” said Woods-Black. or Tribeca, but they’ve also got to come Tren’ness Woods-Black, owner of “We’re just going into a different phase, up to Harlem,” she remarked. “Get off Sylvia’s Restaurant, voiced concern and that phase still has extremely small the bus, shop at different stores in the that the pandemic could severely margins for us to receive profit... It’s community, eat at different restaurants.” reduce the number of Black-owned definitely a tight walk. It’s definitely an The July 9th panel discussion was businesses in New York City. SOS we’re sending up.” hosted by the NYC Hospitality Alliance According to city data, Blacks make “In the hospitality industry, we’re and moderated by news correspondent up more than 20 percent of the city’s used to taking care of people. But now population, but account for only 2 “It’s imperative that dollars April Ryan. Participants, who run really circulate within we’re at a point where so many different Harlem small businesses, discussed the percent of business ownership. our own communities,” restaurants are closing and we need to be “To throw a pandemic on top of said Melba Wilson. challenges they face in accessing capital See HARLEM p15 and maintaining their businesses in the that, when the smoke clears, I’m “Cuando la nación sangra, Harlem sufre hemorragias” La cena al aire libre debutó en Melba’s. Una reciente mesa redonda virtual profundizó Empresarios locales en la experiencia de los propietarios negros de restaurantes y bares en la ciudad de Nueva York. hablan sobre Con la atención nacional centrada en la igualdad racial, los empresarios pidieron a los negocios en crisis neoyorquinos apoyar los negocios en barrios Por Gregg McQueen predominantemente negros. “Es imperativo que los dólares realmente os negocios negros también circulen dentro de nuestras propias Limportan. Vea HARLEM p15 4 JULY 15, 2020 • MANHATTAN TIMES • www.manhattantimesnews.com Enrollment Extension important to New Yorkers’ well-being,” Special enrollment said Governor Andrew Cuomo, who announced the extension on Wed., July period for health 15. “While we’re continuing to move in the right direction, we know we’re not out insurance extended of the woods yet. By extending the open enrollment period, we’re making sure ne month more. New Yorkers who need affordable health care coverage can get it and help keep O The special enrollment period to themselves and their families safe.” sign up for health insurance through the The state extended the deadline in light NY State of Health marketplace has been of the COVID-19 public health emergency extended for an additional 30 days. so that individuals do not avoid seeking Enrollment is available New Yorkers can apply for testing or medical care for fear of cost, for another month. coverage through August 15, 2020 at according to a press release from Cuomo’s nystateofhealth.ny.gov or directly through office. Executive Director through insurers by insurers. “At this unprecedented time in our state Donna Frescatore. August 15, 2020 will “During these difficult and and nation’s history, we want to remind “Individuals can find have a choice of coverage unprecedented times, access to quality, New Yorkers that NY State of Health is here and enroll in affordable, start date either August affordable health care is critically as a safety net,” said NY State of Health comprehensive health 1 or September 1, 2020. insurance coverage, and Those who are eligible for other NY State our Customer Service Center and of Health programs — such as Medicaid, Hay más tiempo para las enrollment assistors are available to help Essential Plan and Child Health Plus — can decisiones del seguro de salud. with this process.” enroll year-round. Individuals who have lost employer As per the Governor’s office, all New coverage must apply within 60 days of losing York insurers have waived cost sharing for that coverage and individuals who have COVID-19 testing. lost income may be eligible for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, or Consumers can apply for coverage subsidized Qualified Health Plans. through NY State of Health online at Consumers who enroll in Qualified Health nystateofhealth.ny.gov or by phone at Plans through NY State of Health or directly 855.355.5777.