MENG AND UNG CALL OUT NYCHA FOR FAILING TO FIX MAJOR ROOF LEAKS THAT HAVE CAUSED A POPULAR QUEENS OLDER ADULT CENTER TO CLOSE

QUEENS, NY - U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), joined by Councilmember Sandra Ung (D-Queens), local seniors and area residents, today called out the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) for failing to repair severe leaks in the roof at the agency's Latimer Gardens Older Adult Center, which is part of the Latimer Gardens complex in Flushing, Queens.

As a result of not making the needed fixes, the New York City Department for the Aging ordered the site to temporarily close due to safety concerns. Now, some 700 seniors who use the facility are no longer taking part in daily activities or receiving services and free lunches at their older adult center. While some seniors have been able to relocate to other older adult centers, many have not.

Meng visited the Latimer Gardens Older Adult Center with Ung yesterday afternoon where they discussed the situation with seniors who used the facility and Latimer Gardens residents. This included the President of the Latimer Gardens Residents Association.

Last year, Meng saw the leaks firsthand during a routine visit to the older adult center. Since then, she has urged NYCHA to immediately address the problem. However, the agency did not adequately do so. Last month, Meng secured $800,000 in federal funding that is being finalized in Congress to help renovate and replace the leaking roof, and she continues to call on NYCHA to make the necessary repairs at once.

"Allowing conditions at the Latimer Gardens Older Adult Center to get so bad that it had to be shut down is unacceptable," said Congresswoman Meng. "Local seniors in and around Latimer Gardens rely on this facility for activities and services that enable them to stay active and receive the support they need. This includes access to meals, socialization, case and benefit assistance and more. I again renew my call for NYCHA to expeditiously complete the necessary repairs and reopen this facility as soon as possible so that it could once again become a safe and functional space for Queens seniors."

"When the senior center at Latimer Gardens was forced to close because of the extensive roof leaks and the damage they caused, my office was inundated with calls from older adults who suddenly lost access to the programs, services and social connections they depend on every day," said Councilmember Ung. "At the same time, the summer youth program that serves local families has been left searching for alternative space, creating uncertainty for children and parents alike. I am deeply grateful to Congresswoman Grace Meng for securing $800,000 in federal funding to address this long-standing problem, but now we need swift action. I urge NYCHA to expedite the repair process so these critical community spaces are back up and running as quickly as possible."

During Meng's visit last year, she saw water leaking from the ceiling of the building's gym and the damage it caused to its floor. In another room, she observed multiple buckets placed under several ceiling leaks that were capturing the water coming down from above. Leaks were occurring in all the other rooms of the building as well.

Opened in 1973, the Latimer Gardens Older Adult Center provides many services and resources to borough seniors who are aged 60 and over. Popular classes consist of ballroom dancing, calligraphy, nutrition education, health and physical wellness, technology, English as a second language, gardening and arts and culture. The facility was temporarily closed to seniors last month on May 18. The property is located at 34-30 137th Street in Flushing.