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Heastie promises assistance for 25,000 Queensites. Residents say it’s not enough.
By
Joe Hong
Published Jul 21, 2025
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Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty Images
By
Joe Hong
Published Jul 21, 2025
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Two state lawmakers announced much-needed assistance for a sprawling but ailing affordable housing complex in southeast Queens on Monday. But residents said the money will barely make a dent in the community’s financial woes.
The Rochdale Village co-op, which houses 25,000 people, has been dealing with an array of problems — a growing debt burden, rising insurance costs and much-needed maintenance — all of which will cause residents’ monthly payments to skyrocket. State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Queens Assemblymember Vivian Cook announced $30 million in state assistance. However, some Rochdale Village residents said they’re frustrated by what they saw as a publicity stunt.
“It was just a repeat of stuff that everyone already knew,” said Tia Tyler, a Rochdale Village resident. “What I expected to hear was that they have a timeline as to when these monies would be received.”
Rochdale Village was built in the 1960s as part of the Mitchell-Lama affordable housing program. It targeted middle-class New Yorkers with income caps for buyers and price limits for apartments. At Rochdale Village, residents pay up to $23,000 to purchase apartments and between $1,000 and $1,800 monthly for maintenance.
But a steep cost increase, close to 40%, has loomed over the residents as the complex faced a $11.4 million deficit. Of that money, $5 million will go to paying overdue debts, Heastie said. The remainder will go to maintenance.
Rochdale Village in Queens
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In a statement following today’s announcement, Cook, who represents Rochdale, said the funding will “help ease that burden.” But John Ferretti, a resident and the founder of the group Keep Rochdale Village Affordable, said the $30 million state infusion won’t solve the community’s long-term woes.
Rochdale’s immediate capital needs, according to a statement from Cook’s office, come out to about $52 million. The $30 million in funding comes out to about $1,200 per resident.
“Why come here and throw sunshine in our face and make it seem like you rescued us?” Ferretti said. “You know that what you provided is nowhere near the money that we need.”
To help cover the deficits, Rochdale Village’s board of directors had approved a 22.3% increase in the monthly payments for next year. The state’s Homes and Community Renewal agency did not respond to questions about how much cost increases would be affected by the $30 million in new funding.
Assemblymember Heastie’s office did not respond to questions about longer-term support for Rochdale Village.
Tagged
housing
queens
Joe Hong
Joe Hong is the investigative data reporter for WNYC and Gothamist. He previously covered K-12 education for several newsrooms across California. His reporting has led to local reforms in juvenile justice system as well as a state law requiring universal screening for dyslexia. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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