Aug. 28, 2020 By Christian Murray
Council Member Francisco Moya has allocated $160,000 for cleanup services across Corona, East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights.
The new funds aim to make up for the recent cut backs in trash pickup service on local streets– in the wake of the city slashing the Dept. of Sanitation budget by $106 million in the current fiscal year.
“The condition of our streets is simply unacceptable right now,” Moya said in a statement. “Our community is still grappling with the devastating aftermath of being the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. and the last thing they should have to deal with is garbage piling up on every corner on top it.”
Moya allocated $80,000 to DSNY and $80,000 to ACE Programs for the Homeless, a non-profit organization that provides homeless New Yorkers job training, work experience and a support network to help them reach financial independence.
The new DSNY funding will be used to add eight hours of additional litter basket service along 16 routes in the district on Sundays and three hours of overtime litter basket pickups along five routes Tuesday through Thursday. The additional service will last 36 weeks until June 2021, with an 8-week service break during winter.
ACE will focus on Corona Plaza and work with Council Member Moya to identify areas that need additional attention.
“I’m proud to allocate these funds to clean up our community and provide residents with the quality-of-life conditions they deserve. Thank you to DSNY and ACE Programs for the Homeless for all their hard work in building a safer and cleaner community.”