Julia Forman

Julia is a third-generation New Yorker who has lived in Dutch Kills since 2014. She is an attorney with public service experience in criminal and civil law. As the Treasurer of the Western Queens Community Land Trust, Julia has been an advocate for giving the people of our community power over their own land and their own lives. This means building the kind of deeply affordable housing that our community needs, replacing our current system requiring certain income levels to enter lotteries for the chance to “win” a $2,000/month lease for a studio apartment. The inequality exposed by coronavirus has only made this project more urgent.

Julia held a roundtable on the effect of coronavirus on artists, developing a comprehensive plan to support artists living in our community and to make the arts in New York City more resilient. She is also a volunteer with the Astoria Mutual Aid Network, serving as intergovernmental communications liaison. In this role, she’s been able to hear directly what the people of our community need and take those concerns to elected officials and city agencies. She’s also coordinated with Sunnyside/Woodside Mutual Aid and LIC Support to connect volunteers with their vulnerable neighbors. Julia knows that our city faces many big challenges in the years to come, but she also knows that the people of Western Queens are ready to build from those challenges and create a bolder, more vibrant, and more sustainable life for all the people of New York City.