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Image source: Times Ledger – the Queens Hospital Center in Jamaica

The Times Ledger reports that the Queens Hospital Center (QHC) in Jamaica (GMAP) has plans “to turn a Queens Hospital Center building into a residence for people with low incomes and chronic conditions, saying they have been told it would house people with mental disabilities and HIV/AIDS.”

The building in question is the T Building, which is currently vacant, and it would have 251 units of permanent housing. The building would be leased to Comunilife, “a city-based nonprofit that provides health and housing services to low-income and vulnerable individuals.” Patients of the QHC and also Elmhurst Hospital, who have chronic conditions would have first chance at the apartments. After that, a lottery would be implemented, with units offered to low-income folks, veterans and locals being given priority.

QHC presented their plans to local Community Board 8, and the result is that some board members are worried about safety. Kevin Forrestal, a member of Community Board, says, “There’s a lot of questions about safety. There was some concern about people with behavioral problems being so close to young children.” The location of the T Building is near two schools – just across the street from St. Nicholas of Tolentine Elementary School (GMAP), and around the corner from Queens Gateway to Health Sciences High School (GMAP).

The new residences would have 24 hour desk security and cameras inside and out, but Forrestal is most concerned about how residents will interact with the local community. Bob Trabold, director of the Hillcrest-Jamaica Hills Neighborhood Association, has appealed to State Senator Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and State Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) with his concerns about the project.

Olga Jobe, a Comunilife spokeswoman, said this about the new residence,  “Affordable, stable and quality housing with supportive services can help individuals with chronic conditions to live more independently, facilitates access to appropriate health care services and also helps to reduce emergency room use and hospital readmissions.”

Queens Hospital housing plan alarms community [Times Ledger]


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