LeFrak Tenants Call For Lower Rent & Upgrades At Corona Complex

ELMHURST QUEENS, -- LeFrak City residents want to see more upgrades and less rent spikes at the massive affordable housing development in Corona, and on Monday they threw their support behind a state Senator that pledged to get the job done.

Tenants at LeFrak City - which houses about 15,000 people on 57th Avenue - hosted a rally to call for three major changes at the 20-building development: Better youth and senior services, a street-wide garbage cleanup, and a stop to rent increases they say are pricing out tenants.

Major Capital Improvement rent increases - or upping rates for rent-stabilized tenants based on a landlord's investment into their apartment - has become "one of the biggest issues" faced by LeFrak residents - many them elderly or people of color - who already struggle to keep up with their rent, said Malikah Shabazz, former president of LeFrak City Tenants Association.

“This is not just an issue in LeFrak," Shabazz said. "It represents a fight that many New Yorkers face."

Tenants were joined at the rally by State Sen. Jose Peralta, activists from the Black Leadership Coalition and Bertha Lewis, founder and president of the Black Institute.

"Today we stand with LeFrak City tenants to rally for major investments into this community," Lewis said.

Lewis said she and BLAC representatives also came to formally endorse Sen. Peralta in his re-election campaign to continue representing District 13 -which covers Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Woodside and Corona - in the state Senate.

"Jose has been a true friend and has fought with tenants for a youth and senior center, as well as other major investments," Lewis said. "It is of the utmost importance that we have a representative who won't back down in a fight."

Peralta, for his part, called Lewis' endorsement a "privilege" and pledged to fight for funds to create a senior and youth center at LeFrak and launch an "urgently" needed cleanup of 57th Avenue.

"We have worked together for years on behalf of LeFrak tenants to provide them with the investment and support they need," he said.

Shabazz noted LeFrak residents built a "close relationship" with Peralta, who he said "has stood with us for many years."

Their most publicly fought battle happened a year ago against the Board of Elections after officials moved a local poll site from its 50-year-spot in the development without telling tenants just weeks before the 2017 primary elections.

The move threatened to force LeFrak residents - many of whom are elderly or disabled - to walk up to a mile from their homes to cast their ballot. But after a legal battle from LeFrak tenants and BLAC activists, the New York State Supreme Court ordered the polling site be restored for the November 2017 general elections.

“LeFrak is a city made up of great, hardworking residents, but for far too long, they have had to travel outside of LeFrak City for necessary services," Shabazz said.

Now, he said, the community is prepared to fight again for a safe, comfortable space to help the development's seniors and youth "succeed in their futures or learn new skills."

"I know that Senator Peralta will assist us in advocating for more funding to build a new senior and youth center," Shabazz said.

"It’s what we deserve.”

Lead photo courtesy of the Black Leadership Action Coalition