Crisis averted: United Senior Center of Sunset Park to reopen after $1M in city, state aid * Brooklyn Paper

"After months of uncertainty, the United Senior Center of Sunset Park (USC), which was on the verge of closing after the landlord demanded a rent increase of more than 70% for a new 10-year lease, is set to reopen Sept. 8. Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes and Council Member Alexa Avilés secured more than $1 million in city and state funding to keep the center afloat. Avilés, whose district includes Sunset Park, told Brooklyn Paper that $500,000 from the City Council and $600,000 from the State Assembly "saved the day" for the 53rd Street senior center, which has been closed since the end of June."

"While the building's owner, Amy Grabino, did not make any concessions on the rent increase, the goal was to keep the center open and minimize disruption for the more than 4,000 seniors who visit each month. "It's been a hard two months since operations were interrupted. [The seniors] have obviously been going to other centers trying to stay active, but they are desperate to go back to their home, and they are very excited," Avilés said, describing the center as a "lifeline" for older adults."

"The 10,000-square-foot space is the largest multilingual senior center in Sunset Park and has been a community staple for more than 50 years. In addition to providing vital resources such as meals and recreational activities, it also offers referral services, health insurance guidance, and social security counseling. To ensure seniors return to a welcoming, refreshed space, the Sunset Park Business Improvement District launched a GoFundMe to cover the cost of painting and floor repairs."

United Senior Center of Sunset Park faced closure after a landlord demanded a more than 70% rent increase for a new 10-year lease. More than $1 million in public funding, including $500,000 from the City Council and $600,000 from the State Assembly, was secured to keep the center operating and allow reopening on Sept. 8 after being closed since the end of June. The building owner did not reduce the rent demand. The 10,000-square-foot multilingual center serves over 4,000 seniors monthly with meals, activities, referrals, health insurance guidance, and social security counseling. A local BID launched a GoFundMe for painting and floor repairs.

Read at Brooklyn Paper