Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The reshuffling of community board members in Queens aims to give a greater diversity of residents a say in local issues, from zoning and development to quality-of-life concerns.Queens Today
Queens residents are getting a newly appointed slate of community board members for the 2026-2028 term, with Borough President Donovan Richards aiming to bring in younger, more diverse, and more renter- and NYCHA-represented voices to help shape decisions in neighborhoods across the borough.
Why it matters
Community boards play a crucial advisory role in local land use, zoning, and quality-of-life issues, so the new appointments will influence how Queens communities evolve over the next few years. The emphasis on younger and more diverse representation aims to better reflect the borough’s changing demographics.
The details
The new community board appointees were selected by Borough President Richards to serve two-year terms starting in 2026. The goal is to bring in more voices from renters, public housing residents, and younger community members to complement the traditional mix of homeowners, business owners, and long-time neighborhood leaders. Richards has highlighted the need for community boards to better mirror the diversity of the communities they serve.
The new community board members will begin their 2026-2028 terms in January 2026.
What they’re saying
“We must ensure our community boards reflect the diversity of the neighborhoods they serve. That means bringing in more young people, renters, and public housing residents to have a voice in the decisions that impact their daily lives.”
— Donovan Richards, Queens Borough President
What’s next
The new community board members will be sworn in during a ceremony in early January 2026 and will begin their two-year terms.
The takeaway
The reshuffling of community board members in Queens aims to give a greater diversity of residents a say in local issues, from zoning and development to quality-of-life concerns. This shift could lead to more representative and responsive decision-making at the neighborhood level.