PEU in the Streets: September in Action

Who runs New York? Apparently, PEU!

September kept PEU teams moving across all five boroughs, doing what we do best: meeting New Yorkers where they are and working alongside community organizations, city and state partners, and elected officials to connect people with resources. Throughout the month, our teams provided information on housing, Fair Fares, SNAP, benefits access, tenant protections, and other services that can make a real difference in the lives of New Yorkers.

Our September outreach included canvassing with Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kenny Minaya, Council Member Alexa Avilés, and the Office of Nightlife; events with State Senator Jamaal Bailey; a housing resource fair with State Senator Roxanne Persaud; NYC 101 tabling in Brooklyn; and outreach with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. 

Our NYCHA In Your Neighborhood outreach found us in QueensBridge - New York City’s, and the country’s, largest public housing development - where we ended up having direct conversations with more than 500 residents; and we are carrying that spirit forward to canvassing three different developments on Staten Island.

Speaking of Staten Island, we supported Staten Island business owners with information about the Business Owners Bill of Rights, conducted outreach to street vendors alongside the SBS to let them know of changes and eligibility for expanded vendor license opportunities, joined the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs for canvassing in Brooklyn, and resumed our regularly scheduled Three-Quarter Housing inspections alongside the Department of Buildings, Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, and FDNY.

Service took on special meaning this September as PEU also participated in the NYC Meal Pack in recognition of the 25th anniversary of September 11. Our teams continued that spirit of service at Benefits Access Hours at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, the Power of Aging event in the Bronx, OnPoint NYC’s Fourth Annual Care Fair, Harlem’s Annual Community Health Fair, and a community tenant clinic with the Arab American Association of New York. 

September also saw us initiate a combined effort with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to develop a path to refer at-risk tenants, who also happen to be patients within the DOHMH, for assistance with our TSU team. This work will help patients facing eviction and other housing related issues get in touch with us so we can help them better navigate their care as housing instability is a powerful factor in health and wellbeing.

From packing meals to inspecting housing conditions, knocking on doors, and connecting residents with benefits, September demonstrated the range of PEU’s work and the power of showing up for New Yorkers wherever they are.