Photos | Sen. Comrie and the HOPE Program add NYC CoolRoofs installation to Kew Gardens Hills residential building

Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

The installation, which consists of a reflective paint coating on the roof of the building, is intended to reduce energy consumption and lower the building’s internal temperatures during days with hot weather.

Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

This installation is part of a citywide program that offers free roof coatings to qualifying buildings, helping to advance compliance with the emissions limits set by Local Law 97, in addition to lowering energy costs for residents.

Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

“I think this is a great initiative. It’s good that we have property owners that understand that they can save money and that they can participate,” Comrie said. “It’s important that we try to reduce our carbon footprint, and this is a safe way to do it. It’s an easy way to do it, by painting the roofs, and I just want to try to encourage other people that can get involved in the program to do that as well. 
There’s a clear energy savings that can be gleaned from this, so it’s important that we advertise this as much as possible. Saving money is always good. If you can save 30% on your utility bill, that’s always a good thing, and it’s a non-intrusive way to do it. It’s painting and it’s utilizing minimal equipment to get an effective result.”

Sen. Comrie (left) speaks with members of The HOPE Program.Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

A cohort of participants in The HOPE Program’s workforce development program completed the installation at the Kew Gardens Hills building. This work provided them with hands-on training and paid work experience in the green economy.

Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

The HOPE Program is the operational partner of the NYC CoolRoofs initiative, providing workforce development services to New York City residents who have low income or are unemployed and face barriers to employment.

Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

In addition to connecting New Yorkers facing systemic barriers with careers, The HOPE Program also works to transform neighborhoods through resiliency and sustainability improvements.

Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

 

“We train people and prepare them for careers in the green economy sector. And we do that, among others, by giving them access to certifications that are industry-recognized and pairing that with hands-on training,” The HOPE Program Chief Program Officer Jako Douglas-Borren said. “We’re here today in Kew Gardens Hills to coat roofs with the reflective panes that not only make the buildings more energy efficient, but if we do enough buildings in a neighborhood, it will also help impact the heat island effect, and thus reduce heat-related
casualties and fatalities. Moreover, we’re also training people up, and residents in the building have access to our training programs to connect them to careers in the green economy, thus making living wages and keeping money within the neighborhood as well and thus supporting the local economy.”

The HOPE Program Chief Program Officer Jako Douglas-Borren.Photo by Ramy Mahmoud

Those interested in learning more about the NYC CoolRoofs initiative can contact Comrey’s office by calling (718)-765-6359 or emailing comrie@nysenate.gov or the New York City Department of Small Business Services at (888)-727-4692.

Photo by Ramy Mahmoud