South Bronx, NY – Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the New York City Housing Authority Chair, Shola Olatoye, kicked off the start of renovations of Betances Houses Senior Center and Community Center in the South Bronx. Building on the Speaker’s commitment to protecting seniors, the Council allocated $1.8 million in capital investments to revitalize this beloved and renowned senior center in the community. After today’s event, the Speaker and the Chair met with seniors and discussed the impact this renovation will have on them.
“Our seniors are a vital part of keeping the history of New York City alive, and protecting them means ensuring they have a safe space where they can form a part of our community” said Speaker Mark-Viverito. “The aging population in the city continues to grow, and it is our duty to ensure that they have the resources they need to age with dignity. I want to thank NYCHA and my colleagues in the Council for their continued commitment in investing to the wellbeing of our seniors.”
“Seniors are vital members of our City. It is our turn to make sure they have a safe, clean space to stay connected to our City,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “We are grateful for support from our elected partners in caring for all NYCHA residents, including our seniors. With the leadership of Council Speaker Mark-Viverito and the Borough President, this center will be renovated and open for current and future NYCHA seniors.”
“Our senior citizens are very important to my office and our Bronx community, and it is with great pleasure and pride that I support the renovations of Betances Houses Senior Center in The Bronx. My office provided $200,000 in capital funding towards this project to help upgrade the infrastructure, security and services of a critical senior center that focuses on improving the quality of life of our seniors,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
“I would like to express our appreciation to the Speaker for her continued support to the seniors in our community,” said Raul Russi, CEO of Acacia Network. “We at Acacia Network are proud to join Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the New York Housing Authority in bringing back the Betances Center to the Seniors in the South Bronx!”
With this $1.8 million capital investment, Betances Houses will be able to benefit from roofing reconstruction, new HVAC systems, technology for use by seniors and security improvements. Once renovations are complete, seniors at NYCHA’s Betances Houses will have a modern community center with a computer room, arts and crafts room and multipurpose room to enjoy.
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