Peralta Secures NHS Funding to Help Maintain Affordable Housing
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) yesterday announced that he was able to secure a $75,000 allocation in the State Budget for the Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens (NHS) to help maintain affordable housing in Queens.
Peralta, alongside Yoselin Genao-Estrella, Executive Director of NHS, made the announcement regarding the state funding at the office of the Woodside-based NHS.
“Affordable housing is vital to maintaining our neighborhoods as diverse and vibrant as they are. This is why it is important to keep on fighting to increase the number of affordable housing units across the borough. I know the work NHS does helps people maintaining or buying properties, so I am glad I was able to secure this funding for NHS in order to preserve and sustain our communities,” said Peralta.
In February of this year, Peralta and NHS hosted a seminar amid unfair and unreasonable rent hikes occurring across the City. The educational workshop, titled “How to find and apply for affordable housing,” focused on informing community members about housing programs available to them. During the seminar, housing experts provided information and resources relative to comprehensive rental services, including how to search and apply for affordable housing using Housing Connect.
Nolan Joins Community Rally Against LIC Development Proposal
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Long Island City, Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Astoria, Woodside, Maspeth, Dutch Kills, Blissville) on Tuesday joined the LIC Coalition, Hunters Point Civic Association, Court Square Civic Association, Justice for All Coalition and her colleagues in government at City Hall to speak out against the city’s proposal to develop on a parcel of public land at 44th Drive in Long Island City.
Located along the waterfront at 44th Drive, the two lots currently house a Department of Transportation parking lot and a Department of Education facility. Last July, the city announced a new mixed-use waterfront development plan that would include housing units, a school, commercial and manufacturing space and public parkland to Long Island City.
The community and local electeds including LIC lawmakers State Sen. Michael Gianaris and Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer want to see a new Request for Proposals (RFP) let out that would include input from the local community.
“This property is city-owned and any plans for the future of this community must include the community itself and ideas and alternatives that come directly from residents,” said Nolan. “I am happy to stand with State Senator Michael Gianaris, Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and members of our community to ask this administration and the NYC Economic Development Corporation to take a step back, seek community input and amend the plan so that it works for all.”
Avella, College Point Community Rally Against Planned Hotel
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Flushing, Jamaica Estates, Fresh Meadows, Bellerose, Floral Park, Jamaica, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Kissena Park, Briarwood) yesterday rallied with residents from the College Point community to denounce the planned construction of a six-story hotel at the former site of a single-story building.
The planned hotel, residents say, is totally out of character with the surrounding neighborhood and will add to an already overcrowded traffic pattern. To date, Avella and community leaders held multiple meetings with the owner of the property in hopes of coming to an agreement on a better use of the land without success. At one point, the developer agreed to an alternative use for the location but quickly reneged and went back to his plans for a hotel at the site.
“How much more can College Point take? College Point used to be a quiet community where people lived for generations with industry and manufacturing mixed in. It was a little piece of suburbia in an urban setting. Now, due to overdevelopment that has completely changed. Enough is enough, College Point should not be forced to take on anymore development. I am calling on the Department of Buildings and the mayor to stop this project. I’ll even meet with the developer again to discuss alternative plans but I’m skeptical after he reneged on our original agreement,” said Avella.
At the rally, Avella and residents brought up the fact that there is already a hotel within a couple of blocks away that is reported to be underperforming which raises concerns over the validity of the developers claim that a hotel is needed in the area.
Addabbo To Host Hiring Event
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth and parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) is partnering with the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services to host a hiring event next month.
“This is an amazing event that I love to sponsor with the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services because it connects so many people to some great job opportunities,” Addabbo said.
The Jewish Board will be interviewing candidates for positions including Case Assistants, Social Work Supervisors, Intake Specialists, Receptionist, Free for Service Social Workers, Milieu Counselors, Porters, and more.
Attendees are asked to come dressed professionally and bring plenty of copies of their résumé.
The Job Fair is slated for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, May 17 at the Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills, 71-25 Main Street, Flushing. For more information, contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at 718-738-1111.
