Corzine Promises 100,000 Affordable Housing Units

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine outlines initiatives to create 100,000 affordable housing units across the state over 10 years. Also, New York City's buildings department issues an updated code of ethics.

N.Y. Buildings Department Updates Code of Conduct

The New York City Department of Buildings this summer released an updated version of its Code of Conduct aimed to curb misconduct and corruption in the agency.

Introduced in 2004 by Buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster, the code was the first of its kind in setting out guidelines for the agency's staff, including architects, engineers, inspectors, administrators, and clerical staff.

The code covers topics such as professionalism, customer service, rules against receiving gifts, and conflicts of interest. The 2006 version will be distributed to all agency staff and, for the first time, to companies and individuals who conduct business with the department.

100,000 Affordable Units for New Jersey

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine filled in details on his campaign pledge to add 100,000 affordable housing units statewide over the next 10 years by outlining several programs and agency initiatives that will finance and develop new projects.

Speaking at a recent Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey meeting, Corzine proposed several changes, including a $15 million increase in the New Jersey State Rental Assistance Program's budget, which would provide aid for 1,500 additional families. He also announced a $12.5 million one-time expenditure for renovations and expansions of bed capacity at shelters for the homeless, developmentally disabled, veterans, victims of domestic abuse, and former drug addicts.

Other initiatives in the plan include the introduction of the Municipal Acquisition and Construction Program, which will provide state funds for municipalities to purchase and develop land and buildings for affordable housing projects, as well as another program to encourage private developers to build mixed-income projects.

Corzine also said that the state-run Housing Mortgage and Finance Agency will more than double the number of low-interest mortgages it administers.

N.J. School Construction in for More Change

The Interagency Working Group on School Construction, a panel appointed earlier this year by New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, recently released its second report on the state's Schools Construction Corp. with recommendations to develop new operational strategies and a more flexible approach to construction management, while also identifying problem areas.

The group reported that since its first assessment of the state's Department of Education and the school construction agency in late winter, both were exhibiting "stronger management capacity." The initial report offered a harsh assessment, especially of the school construction agency, which expended nearly $7 billion in funds but did not complete hundreds of planned projects.

The report recommended that the state's education department should now focus on improving its Long Range Facility Plan review process and should also analyze its Facilities Efficiency Standards for further enhancements.

The special panel is now working with both agencies to develop a sequencing plan for upcoming school construction projects, a capital plan to finance the work, statutory amendments to reform corporate governance, land acquisition initiatives, greater collaboration with local officials and school districts, and more procurement flexibility.

Safety Council Offers Free Courses

The Greater New York Safety Council is offering a free training series on workplace safety.

Funded by a grant from the New York State Occupational Safety and Health Training and Education Program, the courses will be taught by American Safety Consultants, a division of Allied North America Insurance Brokerage of New York. Some courses will offer certification upon completion.

The courses range from "Trenching and Excavation/Excavation Equipment" to "Ergonomics - Saving Your Body for Retirement." For more information, contact Marge Stanley at 516-733-9263 or mstanley@alliedna.com.