Council Member Shahana Hanif

07/28/2026

Do you help care for, manage, or advocate for a public space in New York City?

Whether you support a park, community garden, plaza, playground, or another shared public space, we encourage you to complete the public space partners survey.

The survey will help highlight the incredible work organizations like yours are doing, identify opportunities for collaboration, and inform future support and resources for community spaces across the city. The survey takes 15–30 minutes to complete and is available in a variety of languages.

Complete the survey at https://nyu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9KtNTDNwt1xKRZY.

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

07/28/2026

I had so much fun at Gowanus Houses’ Family Day this weekend!

Our office was proud to support the celebration by distributing free pet supplies through the NYC Department of Environmental Conservation’s P.O.O.P program and partnering with the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music to bring a fun pop-up drumming workshop for kids and families.

I was also honored to present citations to the Gowanus Houses Tenant Association and the community leaders whose dedication and hard work make such a difference every day.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success!

07/28/2026

This weekend was a beautiful celebration of the incredible diversity that makes our district so special. From Celebrate Kensington to the Bangladesh Merchant Association Annual Street Fair, it was wonderful to spend time with neighbors and celebrate the local businesses, artists, cultures, and communities that make our neighborhoods so vibrant.

Thank you to , , the Kensington Cultural Council, the Bangladesh Merchants Association, and every community partner who made these events possible.

07/27/2026

Need a new IDNYC card, to renew your existing card, or to update your information?

Join our district office for an IDNYC Pop-Up at 197 Bond Street on Thursday, July 30, with 20-minute appointments available from 10:20 AM to 4:20 PM.

IDNYC is a free municipal identification card available to all New York City residents ages 10 and older, regardless of immigration status. It helps New Yorkers, including many who may have difficulty obtaining other forms of government-issued photo ID, access City services, programs, and opportunities. IDNYC is accepted:

- By City agencies to access many services and programs
- By NYPD when issuing summons or desk appearance tickets in lieu of arrest, where applicable
- For entry into public buildings, including schools
- As identification when taking the high school equivalency exam in New York City
- By employers, when presented alongside proof of work authorization

During your appointment, you’ll complete an application and provide proof of identity and New York City residency.

Sign up for an IDNYC appointment and review the documentation you’ll need to bring: https://forms.gle/ycDCTuebr6faqYZq7

07/26/2026

Happy Disability Independence Day!

Disability Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the progress it has made possible for millions of disabled people. This year marks the 36th anniversary of the ADA, a landmark civil rights law that affirmed the right of disabled people to fully participate in every aspect of public life. While we’ve come a long way, our work is far from over. We must continue building a city where accessibility, inclusion, and dignity are fundamental rights.

As someone living with lupus and as Chair of the Committee on Disabilities and Accessibility, I remain committed to advancing disability justice and ensuring every New Yorker can live, work, and thrive without barriers.

07/23/2026

THIS SATURDAY, CELEBRATE KENSINGTON - 1:00 - 7:00pm! Join Arts & Democracy, Nocd-NY, Kensington Cultural Council, and community partners for a celebration of Kensington’s rich culture and the close-knit network of people who cultivate it! Event info: tinyurl.com/CelebrateKensington2026

Avenue C Plaza will feature:

• 1pm: Music Jam with local musicians including Yoshie Fruchter, Nilofar Jahan, Naqibul Islam, Roy Nathanson, Shai Wetzer, and Brian Drye

• 2:30pm: Embroidery and Storytelling with author Roohi Choudhry, Farida Ruhul and Casa Cultural, including readings from Candace Hall, Asia Begum, Nurun Nahar and Roy Nathanson

• 4pm: Performance with Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA)

Ongoing:

• Exhibitions including How to Create Kensington Culture and Bangladeshi Ladies Club’s Nakshi Kantha display

• Kantha and Mexican embroidery, with Farida Ruhul and Casa Cultural

• Youth-led Mural Making

• Engagement with community groups and initiatives including DRUM, Sakhi, Kensington-Windsor Terrace Mutual Aid, Windsor Terrace Food Coop, Department of City Planning South of Prospect Park Neighborhood Plan, Fifth Avenue Committee, and Mixteca

Kensington Plaza with The Singing Winds presents:

• 2:00 - 7:00pm: Crafts Market, featuring hand-made toys and jewelry

• 5:30 - 7:00pm: Music on the Plaza with Kalimba Unity,
Led by Kevin Nathaniel, the ensemble features kalimbas, flute and percussion.

07/22/2026

New traffic safety cameras have been installed around the Bishop Ford Educational Campus near the Prospect Expressway exit following sustained advocacy from parents, neighbors, and our office. This is an important step toward making the area safer for students, families, and everyone who travels through the neighborhood.

Thank you to everyone who raised their voices and pushed for these improvements. Our office will continue advocating for additional street safety upgrades around the Bishop Ford Educational Campus to make this corridor safer for the entire community.

07/22/2026

Pets are family, and New Yorkers deserve clear, accessible information when choosing who will care for them.

Last week, I joined Council Member Harvey Epstein, advocates, and families at City Hall to support legislation that would make it easier to identify licensed pet boarding facilities and educate the public about the risks of unlicensed operators.

This fight is personal. My constituent Lindsay lost her dog, Penny, at an unlicensed boarding facility where Penny was left in inhumane and unsafe conditions. As she searched for answers, she learned Penny was not the only dog to die there.

We owe New Yorkers transparency, accountability, and stronger protections for the animals we love. I'm proud to support this bill as a first step. We additionally need enforcement mechanisms to ensure that unlicensed facilities are shut down.

07/21/2026

Private equity is changing New York City, but we don't have the data to understand its impact. Last week I introduced Intro 971 to study how private equity ownership affects workers, small businesses, and our local economy. New Yorkers deserve transparency.

07/21/2026

We’re proud to bring millions of dollars to District 39 through this year’s City Budget. These investments will support local organizations and programs serving youth, immigrants, older adults, people with disabilities, public health initiatives, parks, arts and culture, and more. Swipe through to see some of the community investments funded this year.