Senator Jose Peralta Secures State Funding for AAFE to Provide Legal and Housing Services

State Senator Jose Peralta announced that he secured $50,000 in this year’s state budget for the Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), funds that will help the organization continue to provide housing, community and legal services. The announcement took place at AAFE’s Jackson Heights location.

“AAFE provides essential services to constituents who are in need of help, from legal and immigrant services to protecting tenants from illegal evictions,” said Senator Peralta. “Helping to protect immigrant and hard-working families remains a top priority for me, especially at the present times as we are facing continuous attacks by the Trump presidency. I am honored that I was able to secure state funding for this and other groups that assist many of my constituents.”

“Immigrants in Queens face more and greater challenges than ever before,” said Christopher Kui, Executive Director of Asian Americans for Equality. “With the issues of immigration and housing, we see uncertainty and fear as a real and daily part of life for many in our community. But with this crucial and timely support from Senator Peralta, AAFE will be able to further extend our helping hand to immigrants in need. Thank you Senator, for helping us better serve the communities of Jackson Heights, Corona, and Elmhurst.”

This grant secured by Senator Peralta will fund AAFE’s housing, community and legal services. This program combines legal, advocacy, and organizing resources to protect tenants from landlord harassment and illegal eviction. The nonprofit organization works with clients one-on-one to ensure their rights to safe and decent housing. Additionally, AAFE helps clients secure and extend appropriate government housing subsidies, making sure they have access to social support programs. The community-based organization, located at 93-03 Roosevelt Avenue, has multilingual staff that are fluent in Spanish, Chinese and English.

AAFE was founded in 1974 to advocate for equal rights, and it has transformed in the past four decades to become one of New York’s leading housing, social service and community development organizations. The organization has preserved and developed 86 buildings, creating more than 800 units of housing. AAFE also provides education, financial assistance and training to empower people, small businesses and neighborhoods.