U.S. Rep. Grace Meng and Council Member Sandra Ung have condemned NYCHA for allegedly failing to repair several leaks in the roof at the NYCHA-operated Latimer Gardens Older Adult Center, causing the facility to temporarily close down.<\/p>\n
The center, which is part of NYCHA\u2019s Latimer Gardens<\/a> complex in Flushing<\/a>, was ordered to temporarily close by the New York City Department for the Aging on May 18 out of safety concerns. Meng and Ung said the closure would impact around 700 local seniors who rely on the center, including those who enjoy daily activities or receive services and free lunches.<\/p>\n Both lawmakers visited the facility on Monday, with Meng describing the conditions as \u201cunacceptable.\u201d NYCHA has stated that it had no options but to close the center and completely replace the roof.<\/p>\n But Meng has called on NYCHA to\u00a0\u201cexpeditiously\u201d complete the necessary repairs in order to reopen the facility, which she described as a \u201csafe and functional space for Queens seniors.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLocal 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,\u201d Meng said in a statement. \u201cThis includes access to meals, socialization, case and benefit assistance and more.\u201d<\/p>\n Meng said some seniors have been relocated to other older adult centers but said the majority remained impacted by the closure.\n<\/p>\n Ung, on the other hand, said her office has been \u201cinundated\u201d with calls since the closure of the Latimer Gardens center, primarily from older adults who \u201csuddenly lost access\u201d to essential programs, services and social connections \u201cthey depend on every day.\u201d The closure has also impacted local youth, Ung added.<\/p>\n \u201cAt 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,\u201d Ung said in a statement. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n A NYCHA spokesperson said the agency has been regularly performing short-term repairs to address persistent leaks impacting the center but added that the \u201conly viable path forward\u201d is to fully replace the roof.<\/p>\n \u201cUntil funding is fully secured and the project can be completed, programming is being relocated and will proceed without interruption, a NYCHA spokesperson said in a statement. \u201cNYCHA continues its close partnership and coordination with the center\u2019s service providers to ensure NYCHA residents and community members have continued access to programming, meals, and social interaction.<\/p>\n The spokesperson added that NYCHA would work with both Ung and Meng\u2019s offices once details around federal funding have been finalized.\n<\/p>\n Meng has secured $800,000 in federal funding that is currently being finalized to help renovate and repair the leaking roof.\n<\/p>\n Meng said she observed water leaking from the ceiling of the building\u2019s gym and the damage it had caused to the floor when she toured the facility last year. In another room, she observed multiple buckets placed capturing water leaking from the ceiling.<\/p>\n The Latimer Gardens Older Adult Center opened in 1973 and has been providing services and resources to seniors aged 60 and over ever since. Popular classes at the facility include ballroom dancing, calligraphy, nutrition education, health and physical wellness, technology, English as a second language, gardening and arts and culture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"U.S. Rep. 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