Mission Statement
The purpose of the Western Queens Community Land Trust is as follows:
- To promote a more equitable city by way of community land ownership lasting in perpetuity. We aim to reclaim as much of the Western Queens area as possible for CLT ownership and in partnership with local communities, always focusing on economic, racial, and environmental justice.
- To promote community involvement and land stewardship. This remains directly in contrast with the capitalist goals of private ownership, which place individual needs above those of the community and the greater good. WQCLT seeks to counterbalance the flawed process of land development in New York City.
- To strengthen the local economy by providing affordable working spaces to local artists and business owners. This can ensure a healthy exchange of goods and services within the community.
- To offer priority access for low-income residents to deeply and permanently affordable housing, community, and commercial spaces in marginalized communities, as a way of keeping with the value of economic equality.
- To encourage environmental sustainability in our building design by choosing the most resource-efficient designs with minimal negative environmental impact.
- To constantly inform and empower the community with outreach and advocacy campaigns that reinforce our principles. We aim to mobilize residents in promoting and sustaining economic equality throughout Western Queens. It is important that WQCLT’s properties remain part of the community.
- To empower immigrant communities by leveraging our communal resources so that Western Queens remains affordable to people of all economic backgrounds. In order to preserve Queens’ unique economic and racial diversity, we provide land and building space for residents to live, work, and preserve their cultures.
- To mirror the principles laid out in Article 17 of the New York State Constitution, which states, “Aid, care, and support for the needy should be provided by the state and its subdivisions.” We consider ourselves to be one of those subdivisions.
Board & Staff
Memo Salazar, Board co-chair
Memo is a filmmaker and longtime resident of Sunnyside, Queens. He is also a local business owner and co-runs the Sunnyside CSA, which aims to bring sustainable food justice to the neighborhood. Aside from trying to keep Queens affordable for everyone, he is often found working alongside Cookie Monster and Big Bird on a certain street everyone knows!
Jenny Dubnau, Board co-chair
Jenny Dubnau has lived in Jackson Heights for 18 years. She is a working artist who has been renting commercial workspace for many years. She’s a founding member of the Artist Studio Affordability Project and a member of the Justice for All Coalition steering committee. Her community efforts to fight gentrification and rezonings continue, and she is actively involved in a coalition working to pass a commercial rent stabilization law.
evie hantzopoulos, Board Treasurer
Evie has lived in Astoria since 1999 where she has been active in community affairs. She currently serves on Community Board One, and co-founded the 31st Ave Open Street Collective, Frontline Foods Queens, and Astoria Mutual Aid Network. In January 2022, she was appointed as Executive Director of the Queens Botanical Garden.
Shrima Wagley Singh, Board secretary
Shrima has lived across Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights since her family came to the US from Nepal in 1997. She was previously a core organizer with Queens Neighborhoods United, held a role as Small Business Program Manager at Chhaya CDC, and served as board member in Queens Community Board 4. Currently, she is the Director of Programs for NYPACE, where she supports small businesses across New York.
pamela herrera, land justice organizeR (Staff)
Pam is a new member to Queens. She cased managed rapid rehousing families and individuals in our neighboring state, NJ. She has a history working in Western Queens as Woodside on the Move’s Policy and Advocacy Coordinator. She is also a social worker with a long-term goal to eliminate homelessness. Pam joined WQCLT as our first part-time staff in March 2022, and transitioned to full-time in September 2023.
