TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | APRIL 22-28, 2022 2
Elected officials join Elmcor to break ground on a supportive housing development in Corona. Courtesy of NYC Community Preservation Corporation
Community rejoices as Elmcor breaks ground
on affordable housing development in Corona
BY BILL PARRY
Queens elected leaders and city officials
joined Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities
Inc. (Elmcor) to break ground on
a new supportive housing development
bringing 30 affordable homes to Corona.
The new development will serve those
recovering from substance abuse and/
or mental health issues as well as older
adults.
“Elmcor has diligently and effectively
served the families of Queens for
decades, a mission that continues with
Thursday’s critically important groundbreaking,”
Queens Borough President
Donovan Richards said. “By providing
those recovering from substance abuse
and mental health issues, as well as our
older residents, with supportive, affordable
housing right here in our community,
we are creating a model of human
justice through housing for the rest of the
city to follow.”
Located at 104-10 Northern Blvd., the
project includes 21 supportive homes and
nine homes for low-income senior households.
“Safe and affordable housing is a basic
human need. It also serves as the foundation
of a healthy and prosperous community,”
Assemblyman Jefrrion Aubry said.
“I am excited and grateful for the construction
of a new 30 units, multi-use supportive,
affordable housing project which
will provide housing for some of our most
vulnerable residents.”
Queens District Attorney Melinda
Katz said she was thrilled to see Elmcor
expand its reach in the borough.
“Elmcor Youth and Activities Inc.
boasts a proven track record of providing
positive, impactful programming for
the community,” Katz said. “Anyone from
preschool-aged children to senior citizens
can access much-needed assistance
through this organization, including recreation
activities, summer camp options,
workforce development, food pantries
and drug rehabilitation.”
Elmcor, the developer and supportive
service provider, is a Queens-based
nonprofit providing comprehensive programs
that serve all populations.
“A lot of the issues that our city is
facing stems from the lack of affordable
housing, which is why when I set foot in
the City Council creating a true path has
been a priority,” Councilman Francisco
Moya said. “The construction of these
new supportive and affordable housing
units mean less people struggling to put
a roof over their head. Grateful to Elmcor
and all involved for their work and partnership
to have this right here in Corona,
one of the hardest hit neighborhoods by
COVID.”
For over 55 years, Elmcor has fostered
positive life changes for individuals and
families through skills development
leading to self-sufficiency, a sense of accountability
and a strong, empowered
community.
“Our local elected officials, spearheaded
by the late Honorable Helen Marshall,
worked with us to build the funding
for this initiative with so many others
over decades because they believed in us,
because they are us, and because they
saw Elmcor effectively respond to our
community’s needs,” Elmcor Executive
Director Saeeda Dunston said. “Now,
we are breaking ground on a mixed-use
housing project for which we have fought
and fundraised for many years. This
building will be a home that is consistent
with who we are; a community that
doesn’t separate people but integrates
groups to support the healing and recovery
that happens when we see each other
as one community. We know the impact
that the lack of affordable housing has on
the physical and mental health of people.”
Michael-Sean Pence, board chairman
at Elmcor, added that for 57 years the organization
has been on the front lines supporting
its most vulnerable neighbors.
“Providing access to critical resources
and programs for our older adults, youth
and friends in recovery, while scaling
community-centered initiatives like our
food pantry in response to the critical
issues that disproportionately impact
Black and brown communities like ours,
and have only been exacerbated in recent
years — like food insecurity, gun violence
and housing inequity. With this transformational
project, we will build upon Elmcor’s
legacy of service at a most urgent
time — as New Yorkers fight their way
back from the pandemic and seek affordable
housing to better their path forward.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at
bparry@schnepsmedia.com or by phone at
(718) 260–4538.
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