Council Member Julie Won presented ceremonial checks at Queensbridge Family Day, the annual summer block party celebrating residents of the nation’s largest public housing development, marking $18.5 million in funding secured for NYCHA developments citywide and at Queensbridge. Council Member Won was joined by Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, Co-Founder and CEO of Urban Upbound, elected officials including State Senator Kristen Gonzalez and Assembly Member Diana Moreno.
Council Member Julie Won presented ceremonial checks at Queensbridge Family Day, the annual summer block party celebrating residents of the nation’s largest public housing development, marking $18.5 million in funding secured for NYCHA developments citywide and at Queensbridge.
The funding includes $17 million in citywide initiative funding for NYCHA capital upgrades, made up of $7.5 million for vacant unit readiness, $5.4 million for supportive housing repairs, and $4.2 million for supportive housing preservation. The check presentation also included $1.5 million for a new play area at the Queensbridge Houses PAL Daycare Center, split evenly between $750,000 from Council Member Won through the City Council and $750,000 from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards from FY2026. Construction on the play area will bring updated play equipment and safer outdoor space to children at the daycare center.
“Queensbridge is home to over 7,000 residents who have waited too long for repairs and well-maintained apartments,” said Council Member Julie Won. “The FY 2027 Adopted Budget invests $17 million citywide across all NYCHA developments to be repaired; for our district, this means that Queensbridge residents—along with residents living in Ravenswood and Woodside Houses—can live with dignity. We also delivered $1.5 million for a brand-new play area at the PAL Daycare Center, giving children and families in Queensbridge Houses a safe, secure space to grow back in FY2026. I will continue to advocate so that residents at Queensbridge continue to receive resources, programming, and spaces to thrive.”
The check presentation was part of a broader set of investments Council Member Won highlighted for Queensbridge and Ravenswood residents in the FY’27 Adopted Budget, including:
•More than $980,000 for Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement, supporting social services, senior services, after-school and youth programs, family literacy, and food relief.
•Through commitments promised in the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan, $7.48M beginning in FY2027, with more investments promised for future years: $20,000 to support renovations for the Queensbridge Houses Tenants Association in FY2027, with $250,000 to be allocated in FY2028; $500,000 for capital improvements at the Jacob A Riis Settlement Houses Community Center in FY 2027, with $4.8M to be allocated in FY 2028; $200,000 in FY 2027 and $1.7M in FY 2028 to relocate parking from under the Queensboro Bridge to build out Queensbridge Baby Park.
Queensbridge Family Day was organized by the Queensbridge Residents Association and Urban Upbound, in partnership with the NYC Office of Neighborhood Safety, Riis Settlement, Clean Path NY, CPR Foundation, and RISE Light & Power. The event featured performances from the COHI Praise Team & Choir, a presentation from NYC Kids Rise, and the Jacob Riis Seniors “Boots on the Ground” community dance, along with food, music, and family activities for residents of all ages.
Council Member Won was joined by Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, Co-Founder and CEO of Urban Upbound, elected officials including State Senator Kristen Gonzalez and Assembly Member Diana Moreno in presenting proclamations to community members recognized for their service, including Eric Duncan, Irene Macallister, Miles Casso, Turon Breland, Fernanda Thompson, and Cheyanne Holley.