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Dear New Yorkers,

In a two-part series this week, THE CITY is looking at former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris’ proposals and how they would affect New York City.

We brought you the first installment in yesterday’s newsletter, which focused on how each candidate says they’ll approach taxes and fight poverty.

Today, we’re looking at how they seek to shape development and infrastructure — major factors in the city’s economic future.

Read more here about how Trump and Harris’ proposals could affect new housing, congestion pricing, climate change infrastructure, and more in the five boroughs.

Weather ☀️

A breeze and lots of sunshine today, with highs back in the mid-to-upper 60s.

MTA 🚇

The downtown 6 skips 68th Street-Hunter College this weekend, and lots more. Find the latest delays and planned changes here.

Alternate side parking 🚙

It’s suspended today, Oct. 18, for Sukkot.

Our Other Top Stories

Yesterday, THE CITY hosted a virtual panel about how we investigate Mayor Eric Adams. Our veteran journalists and editors answered live questions from readers like you about how we cover the Adams administration, and the ins and outs of the ongoing federal investigations into the mayor’s circle. If you missed it, you can watch a video of the entire panel and read our answers to New Yorkers’ questions here. An extensive report released by the city’s Department of Investigation yesterday delved into the finances of 51 city-funded nonprofit homeless shelter providers  — and found they are rife with nepotism, bloated executive pay and double-dipping. All of them had at least one issue of concern, while several had multiple red flags investigators brought to the Department of Homeless Services.

SPONSORED Preparing New Yorkers for the Future of Work   As a founding member of New York Jobs CEO Council, JPMorganChase is helping to transform job training, recruiting and hiring in the city. Our collective goal is to hire 100,000 New Yorkers by 2030, including 25,000 CUNY students. To do this, we’re teaming up with education partners, local government, and community organizations to  break  down barriers  and advance career pathways for all. Learn more about how we’re investing in New Yorkers.

Reporter’s Notebook

HUD Helps Out With Rent

Thousands of New York City Housing Authority tenants who have fallen behind in their rent got a bit of good news Thursday: the federal government and New York State have set aside $185 million to cover some of what they owe.

Many NYCHA households did not resume paying rent after a pandemic moratorium ended in January 2022. As of last month, 61,500 had racked up nearly $500 million in rent arrears — a blow to the authority’s already squeezed resources.

On Thursday the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) announced $150 million to cover up to six months of arrears for eligible applicants. Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature also stepped up, announcing another $35 million that will help cover up to a year of back rent owed. That's on top of $159 million NYCHA has already received under the state's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), $149 million of which has been applied to 25,000 accounts.

— Greg B. Smith

Dry Funds for East Side Flood Wall

Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced the halfway point of completion for the East Side Coastal Resiliency project. Located on the Lower East Side along the East River, the project will yield a nearly 2.5 mile-long line of flood walls and gates that roll and swing closed to protect against flooding from storm surge.

But one unknown: where the funding will come from that will enable the Department of Environmental Protection to operate and maintain the system, as it is slated to do starting Jan. 1. The mayor’s Office of Management and Budget has not come up with the money yet.

“We will get this done,” Adams said. “Jaques [Jiha, OMB’s director] is tight with the money — this is real money — but we know how imperative this is.”

The full flood protection project will be complete by the end of 2026.

— Samantha Maldonado

Things To Do

Here’s what’s going on around the city this week.

Friday, Oct. 18: As part of Open House New York, check out the New York Sign Museum. Free from 2 to 6 p.m. at Noble Signs in Brooklyn. Saturday, Oct. 19: An Open House to celebrate five new exhibitions, with workshops, musics, talks and more. Free from 12 to 8 p.m. at MoMA PS1 in Queens. Saturday, Oct. 19 to Sunday, Oct. 20: Gowanus Open Studios, a neighborhood-wide event. Free throughout the day at various locations (full directory here).

THE KICKER: We’re stoked to see Ellie the elephant’s ‘fit at the Liberty game tonight. And we loved this story about how her stylist, Bronx-born designer Gabe Stark, dresses the pachyderm-turned-pop-icon.

Thanks, as always, for reading. Make it a great Friday.

Love,

THE CITY

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