For nearly a decade, Nicholas Bafia dreamed of opening a game store. He envisioned a place where people could come together, make friends, and share their love of games. That dream became a reality when Nicholas teamed up with his
“Everybody deserves competent representation and somebody who cares.” — Hiram Vidal For Hiram Vidal, serving the Queens community isn’t just part of his job—it’s personal. Born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, Hiram knows the borough and its people. As a
“What I enjoy most is knowing that I’m a part of doing good things in my community.” For Shadel Cole, Deputy Director of Paralegals with Build Up Justice NYC’s Preserving Affordable Housing – Brooklyn (PAH-B) team, that connection to community
Dear Friends, What a time to be a New York City resident! This year, our city celebrated a long-awaited Knicks championship and welcomed the world for the FIFA World Cup. These moments brought New Yorkers together and reminded us of
For many late returns filed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS imposed penalties and interest. However, a recent federal tax case indicates that those returns were not technically late because the pandemic was a federally declared disaster. Therefore, taxpayers may
If you’re a small business owner calling BUJNYC for services, chances are you’ll speak with Melkiys. As a member of the growing Community Economic Development team, she helps support small businesses across the city, working to keep storefronts open and owners in a secure position. A proud Bronx native, Melkiys brings her passion for NYC to her work every day. We caught
The decision to “freeze the rent” in New York City this year is in the hands of the members of the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB). Each year, the RGB decides on the maximum percentage increase that landlords of rent-stabilized buildings
Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) are going to expire as of this year, December 31, 2026. As a part of Biden’s America Rescue Plan Act of 2021, these emergency vouchers were originally set to expire on September 30, 2030, however, “due to
UPDATE 4 p.m. on May 18: Council Member Althea Stevens has introduced a bill in the City Council that would repeal the Local Law 75 requirement. In response, the NYC Department of Buildings has announced today that the agency will
Leading BUJNYC’s largest program is no easy feat, but Tricia Lendore handles it with skill and dedication. Tricia began her career at BUJNYC first as a Law Fellow and later a Staff Attorney in the Preserving Affordable Housing (PAH) team,
This week, the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic office of the IRS spotlighted the work of our very own Jim Meadows! Jim joined Build Up Justice NYC as a pro bono volunteer following a decades-long career across various law firms. Just