Page 1 - qt edition #49

TI MES

QUEENS

Published for the Borough of Queens

VOLUME 30, NO. 49 THURSDAY DECEMBER 4, 2025 25 CENTS

Board Approves 3 NYC Casinos, 2 in
Despite Labor Force Gains,
Disparities Remain For Workers Queens And 1 in The Bronx
With Disabilities
A new report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli
shows the labor force participation rate for those with a dis-
ability age 16 and over rose by 4.6 percentage points between
2019 and 2024, while it dropped 0.5 percentage points for the
state’s nondisabled workforce. Despite this progress, only
28.8% of individuals with disabilities participated in the labor
force in 2024, less than half the rate of people in New York
without a disability (69.9%) and 3.5 percentage points below
the national rate for people with disabilities (32.3%).
“This year marks the 35th anniversary of the landmark
Americans with Disabilities Act and while we’ve made some
progress, challenges remain and more effort is needed to en-
sure people with disabilities have equal opportunities in the
workplace,” DiNapoli said. “Providing accommodations for
workplace flexibility and encouraging employers to practice
inclusive hiring can help improve employment outcomes for
people with a disability. By championing inclusion, we create
progress, prosperity and a stronger New York.”
In 2024, more than 2.5 million New Yorkers 16 and older
had a disability, representing 15% of the working-age popula-
tion. Due to the daily challenges facing people with disabilities,
they are less likely to graduate high school or earn a bachelor’s
degree and tend to have lower rates of labor force participation
and employment. As a result, they earn far less on average
After the completion of an arduous review process the Board approved 3 NYC
(Continued on page 2) Casinos, two are in Queens and one is in the Bronx. See story on page 2.

Council Member Francisco Moya
Announces Lottery Opening For New Assemblyman Braunstein Announces
Affordable Housing at Willets Point Annual Holiday Toy Drive For Queens

cent affordable housing project in Children in Need
the city of New York in 4 decades.
“Today’s announcement is
a major step toward delivering
much-needed affordable homes
in Queens. For too long, working
families and seniors have been
priced out of our borough. This
project at Willets Point not only
gives new housing but does so
with quality, sustainability, and
community in mind. As I said
from day 1, housing was the goal
and would always be the first part
Council Member Francisco of the Willets Point redevelop-
Moya is proud to announce the ment to be built. I could not be
opening of the lottery for the first more proud to see my dream
phase of the affordable housing becoming a reality. This spring
development at Willets Point in hundreds of families will be mov-
early December, marking a major ing into these units turning them
milestone in creating new, high- into homes. I encourage every
quality homes in the borough. eligible resident to apply and se-
The project, developed by Queens cure their chance at a home built
Development Group (a joint ven- for Queens.” — Council Member
ture of Related Companies and Francisco Moya
Sterling Equities) in partnership Key Details of the Lottery &
with New York City Football Project Highlights
Club, is on track to deliver 100 ● The lottery opens in Decem-
percent affordable housing across ber 2025 via the Housing Connect
the property. The 2500 units to be Assemblyman Braunstein drops off toy donations to QSAC Douglaston during the 2024
built is the largest single 100 per- (Continued on page 2) holiday season. See story on page 2.

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