Astoria Houses Resident Association & Urban Upbound Team Up to Feed Residents

December 9, 2020December 9, 2020 LaToya Urban Upbound

The Astoria Houses Resident Association and Urban Upbound have teamed up to provide Astoria Houses residents experiencing gas outages with groceries and meals.

The groceries and meals are being delivered to residents of the Astoria Houses building that is experiencing a gas outage. Affected residents may also visit Urban Upbound’s office at the development to receive groceries and other food donations from other organizations.

woman holding up meal container — Claudia Coger, President of the Astoria Houses Resident Association, was instrumental in working with Urban Upbound to help provide residents with meals.

cardboard box full of food groceries — Astoria Houses and Urban Upbound Gas Outage Food Distribution

group of people — Astoria Houses and Urban Upbound Gas Outage Food Distribution

woman putting box into man's shopping cart — Astoria Houses and Urban Upbound Gas Outage Food Distribution

people with shopping carts standing on line — Astoria Houses and Urban Upbound Gas Outage Food Distribution

two men stand near shopping carts with cardboard boxes in them — Two young residents from Astoria Houses volunteered to help distribute meals to residents.

man knocking on door — Astoria Houses and Urban Upbound Gas Outage Food Distribution

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The service interruption, which impacts 48 apartments, was first reported on September 23 after a serious gas leak required shutting down the main gas valve for the building. NYCHA provided residents with an electric hot plate and is working with an outside vendor to complete the necessary repairs. The gas service restoration process involves multiple partners and steps, including shutting off the gas, visiting the apartments to determine the work needed, making necessary repairs, investigating for asbestos, getting permit and inspection approval from City partners, and then coordinating with the utility company to safely turn the gas back on. Gas outage restoration may also be further delayed due to COVID-19 precautions.