The faithful have been spreading the Gospel at Community Church of Christ in Jamaica, Queens for 70 years. Like many faith-based organizations, the church is rooted in community service efforts, including a food pantry.

Outreach Pastor Latricia Davis was born and raised in Jamaica.

“Jamaica, Queens has come a long way from the time that I was born,” Davis said.

What You Need To Know

The full City Council is expected to vote on the Jamaica rezoning plan Wednesday. If it passes, it would go into effect almost immediately

Mayor Eric Adams has five days to review and veto, but that’s unlikely, since the plan is backed by city planners

The plan covers 230 blocks and touts the creation of 12,000 new homes, including around 4,000 affordable units

It also includes boosted commercial space for businesses, upgrades to transit, streets and sidewalks, and the creation of two new plazas in downtown Jamaica

She says she’s watched new and better buildings go up, offering different kinds of housing to residents. And she says she’s praying for more from the city’s rezoning plan for the neighborhood.

“It’s because of the promise to bring affordable housing to our communities, and also to create and provide more opportunities for people to become employed,” she said. “Being a community member and being out in the community, these are two of the biggest concerns that our community members and constituents are continuing to voice their concerns.”

The Department of City Planning’s rezoning plan covers 230 blocks and touts the creation of 12,000 new homes, including around 4,000 affordable units.

It also includes boosted commercial space for businesses, upgrades to transit, streets and sidewalks, and the creation of two new plazas in downtown Jamaica.

The plan would increase the density of new buildings permitted in residential and commercial space, which generally would allow for taller construction.

“Investment — long overdue — we are making it here with this plan,” said Dan Garodnick, director of the Department of City Planning. “We are making investment in parks, streetscape improvements, sewer infrastructure, and of course creating opportunities for affordable homes in a central part of the city, which desperately needs it.”

Nafisa Mahmud co-founded Jamaica Campaign Against Rezoning Expansion, or JCARE. She’s worried the rezoning will push Black and brown residents out of the neighborhood, because of gentrification.

“It’s definitely heartbreaking,” she said. “The proposed rezoning plan promises new housing, but we know that the vast majority of the housing will not be affordable for working-class families, and in many cases, middle-class families, so the people here are looking at the real risk of displacement.”

Over the past decade, the average rent in Jamaica rose from $1,681 to $2,737, an increase of 63%, according to Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers.

Churchgoers say demand at the food pantry has increased over the last several years. And now, middle-class families are among those seeking assistance. But they hope the rezoning actually helps those living paycheck to paycheck find new affordable housing and better jobs.

“If one family is able to afford housing based on this rezoning, then I’m good with that,” Davis said.

If the plan passes the City Council Wednesday, developers can begin construction after the mayor’s five-day period to review it, provided he does not veto it.