Free legal services for renters, MTA ridership sees boost, & more

By Austin Havens-Bowen | May 12, 2021 - 10:30AM

Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill to expanding the City's Right to Counsel program, which offers free legal services to low-income renters facing eviction. The services are now available citywide (The Real Deal)

Eighty-three percent of Zillow users say they’ve searched for houses without any intention of buying, according to a new survey (press release)

Here's how the NYC Democratic mayoral candidates plan on creating more affordable housing (Gothamist)

MTA ridership on subways and commuter rails reached its highest levels since the Covid-19 pandemic (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)

Macy's is set to spend $235 million to improve Herald Square, where it plans to build a skyscraper on top of its flagship location (Gothamist)

An affordable apartment lottery opened for nine apartments in Flatbush. Rent starts at $1,950 (Brownstoner)

Austin Havens-Bowen

Staff Writer

Staff writer Austin Havens-Bowen covers the rental market and answers renters' questions in a column called Realty Bites. He previously reported on local news for the Queens Ledger and The Hunts Point Express in the Bronx. He graduated from Hunter College with a BA in media studies. He rents a one-bedroom apartment in Astoria with his boyfriend and their two cats.

SEE MORE BY Austin Havens-Bowen »

Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers.