Queens Congress Members Unveil $70B Proposal To Help NYCHA
Congressional Democrats whose districts include all or part of Queens including U.S. Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, Nydia Velazquez, Carolyn Maloney, Greg Meeks and Grace Meng yesterday unveiled a $70 proposal whose funds could be used for mold and lead remediation, building repairs, new lighting and improved security mechanisms in the city’s public housing (NYCHA).
Dubbed, “A Better Deal on Public Housing & Ladders of Opportunity for families in New York City and across America,” the plan comes in the aftermath of a troubling scandal surrounding the presence of deadly lead paint in NYCHA buildings across the city.
The $70 billion investment is part of an overall $1 trillion plan to repair our nation’s crumbling infrastructure.
“Public housing residents have been forced to live in conditions that are inhumane, unacceptable and immoral in a civilized society. It is time for that to change. Every American deserves to live in housing that is safe, decent and affordable, with heat, hot water, functional electricity, elevators that work and buildings that do not subject children to lead poisoning. That is why House Democrats are proposing an unprecedented $70 billion investment in our nation’s public housing,” said Jeffries.
“When we talk about housing rights, what we are truly discussing are human rights. And, this Administration’s and Congressional Republicans’ obsession with cutting housing funding – at the risk of kids’ health – represents a moral failing. Democrats are offering a better deal for our public housing residents, our local communities and our entire City that will make needed investments in NYCHA repairs,” said Velazquez.
“Now, more than ever, we need bold federal investment into public housing. With one in 14 New Yorkers living in public housing, Congress needs to step up and provide a greater investment in the health and future of our city. No family should be forced into unsafe living conditions. We cannot accept one more child being put in jeopardy for a totally fixable problem,” said Maloney.
“It is unconscionable that a wealthy country like the United States has allowed its infrastructure to become so dilapidated that children are being exposed to dangerous levels of lead at home. While this administration’s priorities were best expressed by its budget, gutting HUD of the funding required to fix our public housing, Democrats have put forward a Better Deal, planning to invest a trillion dollars in overdue repairs and improvements. It is time to stop kicking the can down the road; our country and our children cannot afford to defer the costs of maintenance on our infrastructure any longer,” said Meeks.
“It is unconscionable that NYCHA residents are forced to endure such terrible living conditions that include elevated levels of lead, a lack of heat, and deteriorating infrastructure,” said Meng. “These unlivable conditions are unacceptable and threaten the safety of NYCHA residents. All public housing residents deserve to live in safe and well-maintained housing, and a Better Deal For Public Housing will provide our public housing developments, and the communities that surround them, with the investments they desperately need. I’m proud to stand with my Congressional colleagues in calling for this critical funding.”
More details on A Better Deal for Public Housing & Ladders of Opportunity for American Families can be found here.
Kim Secures Grant For 109th Precinct Auxiliary Program
Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Whitestone, Flushing, College Point, Murray Hill) recently announced a funding allocation of $250,000 for the 109th Police Precinct’s Auxiliary Police Program.
Detective Kevin O’Donnell of the 109th Police Precinct’s Community Affairs Department and several of the precinct’s auxiliary officers were with Kim at the announcement. O’Donnell and the members of the auxiliary force expressed their gratitude to the lawmaker for the sizable grant, which will be used to purchase new police vehicles for the precinct’s auxiliary unit.
Kim had sponsored the 109th Police Precinct for the initial funding nomination as a State and Municipal (SAM) Facilities Program Project. The state Division of Budget approved the grant and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York will administer it.
“Every day, brave men and women voluntarily risk their lives to serve our community through the 109thPolice Precinct’s Auxiliary Police Program. They deserve to be recognized and honored for their selfless sacrifices, and are worthy of any support we can provide them. I am proud to have sponsored this funding allocation for more vehicles for our precinct’s auxiliary unit, and would like to express my sincere gratitude to its members and to the 109th Precinct’s Community Affairs Department for all they have done over the years in working with our community to keep us safe,” said Kim.
Addabbo, Pheffer-Amato Host Free Rain Barrel Giveaway
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside and The Rockaways.) is again partnering with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Broad Channel, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Ozone Park, Rockaway) for another free rain barrel giveaway this month in Rockaway.
Constituents who live in either Addabbo’s or Pheffer Amato’s district have the opportunity to register to receive a free 55-gallon rain barrel on Saturday, July 28. These rain barrels can attach to a home’s gutter in order to collect and store rainwater, which can later be used to complete household tasks.
Those who pre-register must pick up their free rain barrel from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Camillus Church, 99-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard. After 12 p.m., the remaining barrels will be distributed to the public on a first-come first-serve basis.
“By using these free rain barrels, residents can store excess rainwater and use it at a later time to do chores around the house, such as washing the car, cleaning the outside of the house, or watering plants,” said Addabbo, a member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. “The benefits of this are twofold. With a rain barrel, people can save money on their water bills, as well as conserving water for the environment.”
To register to receive a rain barrel on July 28, contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach Office at 718-738-1111 or visit https://www.nysenate.gov/webforms/free-rain-barrel-giveaway-registration-july-28th.
