Cindy Rodriguez

New York, NY —

The city's job market is strong and unemployment rates are down for several groups, but young people are still having trouble finding work. That's according to a report by the non-profit Community Service Society. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

The report finds that in 2006 about a ...

New York, NY —

Tenants of Starrett City got the backing of federal housing officials today. Residents, fearful they would be priced out of their affordable apartments have been trying to stop the sale. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

REPORTER: The secretary of the department of housing and urban development stopped ...

New York, NY —

The US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will visit Starrett City today. He could block the sale of the complex along the Jamaica Bay because it's one of the largest subsidized housing complexes in the country. And it's not just politicians who are upset ...

New York, NY —

One of the largest government subsidized rental housing complexes in the nation is a step closer to being sold. Starrett City Associates confirms they have accepted a bid for $1.3 billion. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

REPORTER: It's a handshake agreement but that was enough for tenants ...

New York, NY —

With a 30 percent rise in the number of child abuse and neglect reports received by the city’s child welfare system more families are ending up in family court. Reporter Cindy Rodriguez spent some time observing the court room of one judge in Queens:

REPORTER: On ...

New York, NY —

Opening up a business in New York City is no easy feat and, according to a report by a local think tank, foreign-born New Yorkers are taking on the challenge at a faster rate than those born here. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports:

REPORTER: Food manufacturing, the ...

New York, NY —

Despite a slight dip in the number of building permits issued last year, the city says the construction boom continues. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez has more.

In 2006 nearly 31-thousand building permits were issued for new apartments in the city. That's a decline of about 638 compared ...

WNYC Newsroom —

Tonight is the city's annual homeless count. More than 1000 volunteers will hit the streets around midnight in search of homeless individuals bedding down on city streets and subways instead of in shelters. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

This is the 5th year the survey of the homeless ...

New York, NY —

Foreclosure rates are going up in the city, nowhere more so than on Staten Island. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

REPORTER: In 2006, there were over 3100 properties in Staten Island at different stages of foreclosure. That's a 47% increase compared to the previous year according to ...

New York, NY —

African Americans are more likely than Hispanics and whites to feel negatively towards immigrants. That's according to a survey conducted by a local non-profit. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

The Community Service Society interviewed close to 2,000 New Yorkers over the phone and asked them questions such ...

New York, NY —

It's been one year since the tragic death of 7 year old Nixzmary Brown. Her case shook up the child welfare system and several reforms aimed at changing the Administration for Children's Services have since been put in place.

But experts in the field say other ...

New York, NY —

Today, the City Council votes on a bill that would require more developers to provide affordable housing in exchange for tax breaks. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports:

The debate has been over how much to expand the affordable housing requirement. Council Speaker Christine Quinn had previously introduced ...

New York, NY —

The city says it will set aside $150 million in public and private money to try to fight poverty. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

An entity called the Center for Economic Opportunity has been created to administer this pot of money. The head of it will be ...

New York, NY —

There are few things that can excite New Yorkers as much as a free parking space or a cheap apartment. Each year thousands apply for apartments offered below market rates. There’s a lottery to dispense the new homes but it’s not that simple. As WNYC’s ...

New York, NY —

The fight over the reform of a program that gives tax breaks to developers is far from over. The debate has divided New York's city council. Some members want all developers to build affordable housing in exchange for tax breaks. Right now, that's only required ...

New York, NY —

It's been nearly a year since the death of a 7 year old girl caused a major shake up at the city's child welfare agency. Nixzmary Brown died a violent death at the hands of her step-father. Caseworkers, police and her school missed opportunities to ...

New York, NY —

Apartment builders and housing advocates are both unsatisfied with a bill that would require more developers to build affordable housing in exchange for tax breaks. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn proposed the compromise bill. Housing advocates wanted her to tie affordable housing ...

New York, NY —

People in rent stabilized are worried about new rules that could cost them money. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports.

The rule changes include allowing landlords to charge tenants for cleaning up lead paint in their apartments. Building owners have long complained that more stringent lead laws are ...

Welfare reform was deemed successful at moving people off the welfare rolls but not necessarily at lifting them out of poverty. Many still struggle to get by even though they are working full time. Helping this group get better paying jobs is one way the city plans to reduce poverty. ...

New York, NY —

For decades government has written off poverty as an intractable problem - one that has to be managed rather than gotten rid of. According to the census nearly 20 percent of New Yorkers are living in poverty. But the Bloomberg administration believes it can reduce ...