BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A beloved neighborhood senior center serving Sunset Park seniors is now at risk of closing its doors after over 50 years of operating, due to a proposed rent hike of over 70%.
On Friday morning, Hector Gonzalez stood beside his friends playing dominoes at the United Senior Center of Sunset Park, offering advice and encouragement. Gonzalez has lived in the community for 50 years and visits the center every week.
“Well, what it means to me is that this is the staple,” Gonzalez said.
The center, located on 53rd Street, is the largest of its kind in the neighborhood and offers essential services that people like Gonzalez rely on, including bilingual case workers, a kitchen serving breakfast and lunch, and various activities.
It serves more than 4,000 people a month and has been a fixture in the community for decades. Now, with the landlord seeking a rent increase, the center is in danger of closing or relocating. The decision would need to be made by June.
Despite efforts to negotiate, no agreement has been reached.
“We tried really, really hard to negotiate. I even offered if you give us two years to figure it out the chamber would guarantee we would find a new home. And we were told no way,” said Randy Peers, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce president.
The New York City Department for the Aging released a statement:
“While United Senior Citizens of Sunset Park is responsible for managing its relationship with the landlord, we are advising them on all available options, including identifying a new location nearby. Our top priority remains ensuring there is little to no disruption in services for older New Yorkers,” Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
City Councilor Alexa Avilés says the solution is for the landlord to return with a reasonable proposal.
“We want to hustle to make sure that we get resources, it’s not a matter we’re saying you know freeze it. But 70% overnight is just not an option,” Avilés said.
The center’s executive director, Grisel Amador, said, “My wish is for the senior center to remain open, continuing to provide vital services and continuing to be a crucial resource for older adults living on a fixed income in the Sunset Park community. Our rent is increasing substantially. However, it is only half of the market rate per square footage in the Sunset Park area.”
Meanwhile, Gonzalez and his fellow seniors hope the landlord lets their center stay, a special place where friends feel like family.
“I myself, I’m not going nowhere. This is my home and this has to be solved, and we have to come to terms,” Gonzalez said.
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