Hello neighbors and friends – Immigrant Heritage Week (April 15–21) marks 400 years since Juan Rodriguez—New York City’s first recorded immigrant—arrived from La Española. This year’s theme, “NYC: Built by Generations of Immigrants,” honors the communities that have shaped every corner of our city.
At PEU, we’re proud to carry that legacy forward. This month, PEU leadership spoke at the HealthyNY Summit and the “We All Belong Here” Symposium to highlight the work of our GetCoveredNYC and Home Support Unit teams. At both events, we heard again and again how fear, misinformation, and administrative barriers continue to discourage immigrant families from seeking health care and asserting their housing rights.
In NYC, it is illegal to discriminate in housing based on immigration or citizenship status. And all New Yorkers—regardless of immigration status or ability to pay—have a right to access health care. If you have questions about your housing rights, contact PEU’s Tenant Helpline by calling 311. For help with health coverage, contact GetCoveredNYC—also through 311. In addition, we encourage you to read and share the City’s Open Letter to Immigrant New Yorkers, which reaffirms our commitment to immigrant healthcare in New York City.
Whether you arrived 4 months ago, your ancestors arrived 400 years ago, or you are Indigenous to this land—all New Yorkers belong here.
In a New York state of mind 🗽, The Public Engagement Unit |
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Top 4️⃣ Resources We're Sharing this Month |
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The City’s 2025 Immigrant Health report offers a data-driven look at the health of immigrant New Yorkers. It highlights disparities in access to care, insurance coverage, and health outcomes—providing critical insight into how immigration status impacts health across the city. |
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The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible New Yorkers stay cool during the summer. The 2024–2025 Cooling Assistance Benefit opened on April 15 and provides one benefit per household to cover the cost and installation of an air conditioner or fan. Learn more and apply. |
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The Tenant Helpline connects New Yorkers facing housing issues with information and support, regardless of immigration status or national origin. Specialists are now available during new hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 5 PM. Call 311 and say “Tenant Helpline” to speak with someone or leave a voicemail with your name and contact info. |
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New Yorkers who receive SNAP and face challenges preparing food at home due to age, disability, or housing status may be eligible to use their benefits at participating restaurants. Get a hot, affordable meal without needing to cook. Learn more and see if you qualify. |
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Program Spotlight:
Helping Homeowners Avoid the Lien Sale |
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Every day, the Public Engagement Unit (PEU) works to build a safer, more affordable city for working-class New Yorkers—and that includes helping families stay in their homes, whether they rent or own. This spring, we have partnered with the Departments of Finance (DOF) and Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) to launch a citywide outreach campaign for homeowners at risk of foreclosure due to unpaid property taxes or other municipal charges. Since March, PEU specialists have been going door-to-door across the city to reach homeowners whose properties are on the lien sale list. Our goal is to ensure every homeowner knows their rights and takes action before the May 19 deadline.
A lien is a legal claim the City places on a property when taxes, water, sewer, or other municipal charges go unpaid. If a homeowner doesn’t act in time, this debt can be sold to a private company, which could put struggling families on a path to foreclosure. Many homeowners don’t realize their property is at risk, which is why PEU is conducting direct outreach to ensure families understand their options, which could include the Easy Exit program, repayment plans, or Homeowner Tax Exemptions.
So far, PEU staff have knocked nearly 6,000 doors, offering one-on-one assistance and sharing information about available programs. Starting this week, the team is also supplementing door-to-door canvassing with phone outreach.
Homeowners may qualify for help if they are seniors, have disabilities, live in their homes as a primary residence, or meet income requirements. If you or someone you know is behind on property-related charges, don’t wait. Learn more about how to avoid the lien sale and get help today. |
Client Spotlight:
From Gaps in Coverage to Peace of Mind |
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When Edwin, a senior disabled veteran, walked into one of our office hours, he had been without his Medicaid coverage and the critical medications he needed for over a week. After his Public Assistance case was unexpectedly closed, he found himself without health insurance and unsure where to turn. “I was looking for everything. I was homeless. I had problems with my health insurance,” he recalled.
That’s when he met Alexa, a GetCoveredNYC Specialist. She immediately recognized the urgency of Edwin’s situation and stepped in to help. Alexa guided him through enrolling in a new Medicaid managed care plan and helped him get a new Medicaid ID. When the ID wasn’t yet active and Edwin still couldn’t get his prescriptions, Alexa worked with New Horizons to secure temporary medications so he wouldn’t have to go without any longer. “She followed up, made calls, and helped me get my medications,” Edwin said. “She went above and beyond. She straightened things out with my health insurance, Social Security, and HRA. Most people don’t follow up, but she did. She made sure things were taken care of.” In that moment, Alexa wasn’t just helping a client. She was showing Edwin that he mattered and that someone was in his corner.
Today, Edwin is grateful to have his coverage back and can access the care he needs. "Now I have my health insurance. That’s the point. I needed it, and now I have it,” he expressed. His journey is a reminder of the power of human connection and how essential it is to have someone who will stand by you, even when the system feels impossible to navigate. He encourages others to reach out, no matter how tough things seem: “If you find someone like I found, use the services. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, make mistakes, and just stick with it.” Edwin’s story is a testament to the compassion and dedication of our team, who are committed to helping every New Yorker access the support they deserve.
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PEU - WHO ⭐ Staff Spotlight
Adaptability In Action: Meet Reynaldo Douglas |
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At the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, adaptability is key, and no one embodies that more than Reynaldo Douglas of the Special Projects Team. Whether he’s helping seniors recover stolen benefits, leading field outreach for immigrant communities, or responding to urgent City initiatives, Reynaldo shows up with compassion, determination, and a deep commitment to serving New Yorkers.
With 20 years of experience rooted in care work and community service, Reynaldo brings heart and hustle to every assignment. His story is a powerful reminder of how one person’s dedication can make a life-changing difference.
Read the full story to learn how Reynaldo found his calling, what a day in the life of a PEU Specialist looks like, and the unforgettable client moment that still fuels his passion today. |
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The NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) uses community organizing principles to re-envision how the city provides services to its most vulnerable communities. Rather than expecting constituents to navigate a complex city bureaucracy to get the help they need, PEU adopts grassroots tactics to meet residents where they are — at their doors and on their phones, in their social media feeds, and in their communities. PEU combines this proactive outreach with comprehensive case management, and in doing so, builds long-term relationships between New Yorkers and their government.
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