ASTORIA – Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. recently joined the United Way of New York City (UWNYC), the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and East River Development Alliance (ERDA) for the launch of a new initiative, Financial Independence Today (FIT) and the grand opening of ERDA’s Astoria Houses office at 4-25 Astoria Boulevard in Astoria.
FIT is an innovative public/private partnership between UWNYC, NYCHA and ERDA aimed at increasing the financial stability of public housing residents who find themselves in rental arrears.
“ERDA is pleased to partner with United Way and NYCHA to build on our experience and expertise helping residents of public housing in western Queens reduce debt and build assets,” said ERDA President and Founder Bishop Mitchell Taylor. “We are confident that this rental arrears population will benefit greatly from this program, and residents will be able to achieve economic security.”
Vallone provided critical capital support to secure the opening of the Astoria Houses office.
“Astoria Houses has very high rates of poverty and unemployment,” Vallone said. “We are pleased to be able to support ERDA and the residents of Astoria Houses in the opening of this critical office. We believe FIT will go a long way toward giving residents the ability to improve their own lives.”
