HUD Funding Helps Queens Immigrants

(sitting, far right) Earleene Sealy, HUD Senior Operations Specialist, gathers with Chhaya staff

Ms. Earleene Sealy, HUD Senior Operations Specialist in the New York Regional Office, travelled to Jackson Heights, Queens to join the Chhaya Community Development Corporation celebrating the publication and release of its five guides to assist Queens' residents with limited English proficiency when they are looking to rent or purchase a home. "Renter's Guide - What you need to know to rent in New York City," and "Homebuyer's Guide: What you need to know to buy in New York City," have been published in Bangla, Nepali, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish

According to Chhaya, a prominent housing advocacy organization, a high percentage of low-income immigrants with limited English proficiency face many barriers to safe and affordable housing. Unfortunately, too many low-income immigrants live in overcrowded and unsafe conditions, and too few vital housing information and resources exist in their language to assist them. These guides will help reduce their linguistic isolation and provide information on the home buying process in New York City, as well as valuable tips on affordable housing opportunities. The guides also offer information on rental opportunities, fair housing rights, and free resources, and were partially funded by HUD.

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