Congressman Seeks Funding For Dunbar Heights Improvements

PEEKSKILL, NY — Rep. Mondaire Jones has requested federal funding for improvements to the kitchens at Dunbar Heights.

The funding would be used for improvements in 96 of the Dunbar Heights public housing units, including new energy-efficient appliances, new painting and flooring with stronger and modern building materials, and new, upgraded kitchen appliances since the kitchens haven’t been upgraded in 20 years, he said in an announcement.

He's asking for $310,000 from the Community Project Funding program. Part of the federal appropriations process, it is an opportunity for members of Congress to support projects that benefit communities in their districts. While the request has been submitted to the Appropriations Committee, it is up to the committee to determine which programs ultimately receive federal funding, Jones said.

Dunbar Heights is one of the city's aging public housing complexes run by the Peekskill Housing Authority. Meanwhile, the city is undergoing a period of growth, with new housing and a $10 million downtown redevelopment plan.

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Jones is the 33-year-old Congressman from New York’s 17th District, serving Westchester and Rockland counties. In November, he won the seat vacated by longtime Rep. Nita Lowey, who retired. He serves on the House Judiciary, Education and Labor, and Ethics Committees and is the first openly gay, Black member of Congress. Jones was unanimously elected by his colleagues to be the Freshman Representative to Leadership, making him the youngest member of the Democratic House leadership team.

Jones was raised in Section 8 housing and on food stamps in Rockland County by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to provide for their family. He later graduated from Stanford University, worked at the Department of Justice during the Obama Administration, and graduated from Harvard Law School. He lives in Westchester.