Author: kguzman
Bronx tenants call out landlord over lack of repairs
They sued their Highbridge landlord last year over what they say is neglect, but they’re still waiting. CBS News New York’s Natalie Duddridge reports.
Originally published on Aug 14, 2024 via CBS
Highbridge tenants renew years-long fight with landlord
Highbridge tenants renew years-long fight with landlord.
Tenants at two Highbridge apartment buildings are once again calling for accountability from Emerald Equity Group, who they say has neglected to make needed repairs to their apartments for years.
Tenants allowed News 12 cameras a look at the conditions they live in at the apartment buildings located on Woodycrest and Anderson avenues in Highbridge where crews saw roaches, bugs, mold and broken appliances.
Lawyers for the tenants say they’ve filed a motion in hopes of forcing landlords to act, they’re due back in court Sept. 25.
News 12 has attempted to contact Emerald Equity Group for comment, but has gotten no response.
Originally published on Aug. 14, 2024 via News12
Bronx Tenants Demand Repairs and accountability for ongoing building issues
THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) — An overflowing sink, an infestation of flies and other pests, multiple fire department rescues at a stalled elevator – these are just some of the many issues tenants at 1187 Anderson Avenue in the Bronx say they’ve been living with for far too long.
Rumaisha and her neighbors detailed these and other issues for PIX11 News Wednesday, including an unreliable stove, and a serious roach infestation.
“They just give us a date or sometimes tell us they’ll fix it but they don’t show up,” said Rumaisha.
PIX11 News has been following this ordeal for years.
In fact, last year the landlord settled with the tenants that included nearly a half million dollars in rent credits…and the completion of certain mandated repairs.
The Tenants Association says those repairs were never made, and the landlord instead allegedly duped uninformed tenants into unwittingly signing an affidavit falsely confirming the work was done.
The tenants returned to Bronx Housing Court Wednesday, in their ongoing effort to try to hold accountable that landlord, identified in court documents as Gary Kassirer.
He and his family, along with multiple associated corporate entities own several older buildings in the neighborhood – which are noticeably absent on the company’s listing of featured properties.
Bronx Legal Services attorney Cynthia Ramos represents the tenants in court.” Their repairs are not done and if they are done, it’s done as a patchwork job,” said Ramos.
Frustrated tenant Mercedes Escoto added, “You are paying lawyers all of this money. Why don’t you save all that money and repair the apartment?”
PIX11 News reached out to the landlord, requesting comment in time for this report but has not received a response.
Originally published on Aug. 14, 2024 via Pix11
Support Needed to Help Combat Bronx’s Food Desert
As we quickly approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season and families prepare to enjoy feasts with one another, we must remember that there are thousands of people in the Bronx and across New York City who won’t be having that same experience, and do not know where their next meal is coming from.
The Bronx is one of the many food deserts around the country, with some of the highest rates of food insecurity nationwide; one in four Bronx residents face food insecurity, which is 1.7 times greater than the state average, according to a United Hospital Fund and Boston Consulting Group December 2021 report.
In the heart of the Bronx, New Settlement’s rooftop garden sits atop our Community Center and serves as an oasis for community members, growing fresh produce that are rich in nutrients, including mustard greens, kale, Swiss chard, various herbs, carrots, broccoli, and more. This season, we have harvested 160 pounds of fruits and vegetables, which help to supply our food pantry that is located a few floors below and also supported by other local organizations.
Through our food pantry, we’ve distributed more than 123,563 pounds of food through weekly giveaways and monthly and holiday pop-up events in 2022 so far, providing 8,000 individuals with nutritious foods. Recently, we hosted a Thanksgiving Community Giveaway in partnership with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Senator Luis Sepulveda, NYC Council Members Althea Stevens and Pierina Sanchez, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Ponce Bank and United Way, where we distributed whole chickens, fresh produce and more food items to over 400 community members.
Additionally, our 170 Farm Stand located on 170th Street and Townsend Avenue is a vibrant youth-led market that offers a selection of high quality and fresh seasonal food from local farmers, such as fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, dry goods, and more.
These initiatives are part of New Settlement’s mission to fight the hunger crisis in the Bronx, and provide a space where community members can not only gain access to affordable, quality foods that will feed their families, but also learn about nutrition and how to prepare balanced meals, ultimately helping them to lead healthy lifestyles.
While we have made great strides to address the hunger epidemic in the Bronx, there is much more work to be done, and before we gather around our tables with our loved ones this holiday season, it is vital that we come together to help our fellow New Yorkers who are experiencing food insecurity.
Whether you are donating to New Settlement’s food pantry or volunteering at a local food drive, we encourage all New Yorkers to join our efforts and help to ensure individuals and families never have to question how or when they are going to eat.
Noel is the executive director of New Settlement; Cataquet is the organization’s director of community health initiatives.
Original article by: AMNY
