New York, NY-On Saturday, November 9th, 2013, Northern Manhattan community leaders will hold a Housing Rights Day of Awareness to inform all residents of their rights as building tenants. The offices of Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, State Senator Adriano Espaillat and Assembly Member Gabriela Rosa will join the Centro Altagracia de Fe y Justicia, RENA, NMIC, CLOTH, Association of Progressive Dominican Women, Inwood Advocates for Tenants Rights, NY Civic Participation Project, Union Communal, Barak Obama Democratic Club and Community Board 12 to combat issues of tenant harassment, unsuitable living conditions and the rampant number of violations in buildings across Northern Manhattan. Volunteers will be dispersed throughout the area north of 155th street, speaking to residents about housing issues and distributing pamphlets that detail tenants rights and services to utilize should they feel their rights have been violated.
This is part of a larger effort by the Northern Manhattan Affordable Housing Coalition, a group of community organizations and elected officials' offices that works to promote, create and preserve affordable housing in Northern Manhattan. From 2000 to 2010, over 18,000 residents were forced out of the area due to rising rents and unsuitable living conditions; there are a number of buildings that are in disrepair and tenants have great difficulty holding their landlords accountable. This coalition seeks to advocate on tenants' behalves and help to empower them to fight on their own through education. Tomorrow will be a day of outreach and education as members of the coalition will go to the community to discuss these important issues.
"The lack of affordable housing in Northern Manhattan has reached crisis levels," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. "With just over 200 new units built in this area, out of outgoing mayor Bloomberg's promised 65,000, we continue to see our residents forced out. This campaign is about awareness, education and empowerment, providing the tools and knowledge to tenants so they can fight for their rights. Slumlords continue to plague this community and its time we fought back in unison."
"One third of New Yorkers spend half their income on rent, and this disturbing statistic is steadily rising," said Senator Adriano Espaillat. "While the country is on the road to economic recovery, New Yorkers' rents have increased faster than their salaries, and many tenants are more financially stressed than ever. Tenants in our community need to know their rights, so they won't be intimidated by landlord harassment, and won't fall victim to predatory tactics."
"Our community must understand that the law is on their side in the fight against harassment, poor living conditions and unreceptive slumlords," said Assembly Member Gabriela Rosa. "We must ensure tenants feel they can speak out against these abuses and stop living in the shadows with oppressive conditions. Education is key in this fight and we will do all we can to see justice served when tenants are under attack."
"To confront the housing crisis in Northern Manhattan, we must educate our community of their rights, as a necessary step to change the status quo," said Richard Espinal, Executive Director ofEl Centro Altagracia de Fe y Justicia. "With each pamphlet distributed, we empower our community, and declare 'we have had enough!'"
What: Northern Manhattan Community Leaders Raise Awareness About Housing Issues
Who: Northern Manhattan Affordable Housing Coalition
Where: Throughout Northern Manhattan, North of 155th St.
When: Saturday, November 9th, 2013, 12:00 PM
