Tag: Nonprofit

BronxTimes | Seventh annual Housing Conference held to better inform tenants of their rights

Posted on October 9, 2024October 9, 2024 by

The office of New York City Council Member Althea Stevens (16th Council District) and District 16’s Tenant, Block and Neighborhood Advisory Council hosted the seventh annual Housing Conference on Thursday, Oct. 3.

The event featured information for tenants living in New York City and a panel discussion on tenants’ rights.

Among those who addressed attendees and answered their questions were Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA) Leader Fitzroy Christian, District 16 Tenant Advisory Council Secretary Linda Kemp and New York City Department of Social Services Deputy Commissioner Jamar Hooks.

Council Member Stevens expressed her thanks to those who attended the housing conference, as well as those who helped organize it and provided much-needed resources to attendees.

Local elected officials who partnered with Stevens to put this event together included Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Congressman Ritchie Torres (15th Congressional District), State Senator Luis Sepúlveda (32nd Senate District) and Assembly Members Chantel Jackson (79th Assembly District), Landon Dais (77th Assembly District) and Amanda Septimo (84th Assembly District).

Organizations that took part in this year’s housing conference included New Settlement’s CASA program, the Right to Counsel NYC Coalition, the New York City Department of Buildings, New York City Housing Preservation and Development, the Legal Aid Society, the New York City Department of City Planning, the New York City Department of Finance, the New York State Division of Human Rights, Bronx Fountain House and Arriva Bank.

Originally published on October 7, 2024 By By Jewel Webber and Ethan Marshall | BronxTimes

Sunnysidepost | Sunnyside tenants rally against Bronstein Properties, citing building violations, retaliation and unsafe conditions

Posted on October 2, 2024October 2, 2024 by

A prominent New York City landlord has come under fire by tenants who live in one of its buildings in Sunnyside, with many of them accusing the property owner of shoddy management and harassment.

The tenants at 43-17 48th St. in Sunnyside held a rally on Saturday, Sept. 21, outside their building—owned by Bronstein Properties—to draw attention to the company’s building violations, alleged retaliation against tenant organizing and illegal deregulation of rent-stabilized apartments. One tenant also alleges sexual harassment from a super.

The rally was organized the Bronstein Tenant Union, alongside member organizations from the Right to Counsel Coalition.

The tenants took aim at Bronstein Properties, owned by Barry Rudofsky and Scott Silverman. They noted that tenants have filed 42,616 complaints with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (DHPD) across its 120 properties—consisting of 6,500 apartments—in New York City and Long Island throughout the years. Complaints and violations range from lack of heat, water leaks, roach and rat infestation, brown water and collapsing ceilings to mold and lead, among others.

The rallygoers outside the 6-story, 95-unit Sunnyside building at 43-17 48th St. noted that Bronstein had racked up 61 complaints in the last two years and has 40 open violations, including collapsed ceilings and lead, according to DHPD. While the rally was taking place, a DHPD inspector with the Division of Code Enforcement was seen leaving the building.

At the rally, Yvette Allen-Janis, a tenant of Bronstein Properties, told the crowd that the tenant union had reached out to Bronstein Properties via email and phone calls numerous times to address the issues. They eventually met with Bronstein Properties on Nov. 14, 2023, handing them papers with the building violations that needed to be addressed; however, “Ten months later, we are still waiting for repairs to be done,” Allen-Janis said.

One tenant described the lack of response to repair the unsafe conditions as “abhorrent.”

“We need to get timely responses and proper repairs made to our apartments so that we can continue to live in our apartments and do not have to worry about moving out because our entire bathroom ceiling fell and there was a mold in there, or that our living room apartment ceiling fell on our heads,” the tenant said, drawing chants of “no repair, no rent” from the crowd.

Tenants told QNS that one unit did not have gas for seven months, while another tenant had issues with mold in her apartment, forcing her to move in with friends because she is allergic to mold and could not breathe.

“It took months to get them to do anything about it,” she shared.

Another tenant expressed concern about the building’s structure and pointed out a crack in the exterior wall. She also shared with QNS that her kitchen floor was broken, and she eventually filed a complaint with DHPD to get it repaired. Another time, a century-old pipe burst in her bathroom.

“One hundred years’ worth of fecal matter that sprayed throughout our bathroom, and [Bronstein] refused to clean it up. They said it was on us to clean it up, and they left an open hole in our ceiling for a week,” she said.

Tenants also accused Bronstein of illegally evicting tenants so the company could deregulate rent-stabilized apartments.

“We used to have more stabilization, but what they do is they evict people, and then they illegally destabilize [the apartment]. They do repairs. They’ll put in a backsplash and then charge $3,000,” said one tenant. “There’s Airbnbs here. It’s ridiculous.”

Since 2017, Bronstein Properties has evicted 176 households, and the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the eviction crisis in New York State. During the height of the pandemic, Bronstein sued 388 households for eviction between March 2020 and Sept. 20, 2021, earning the company the number 13 spot among New York City’s worst evictors during the pandemic.

Bronstein disputed many of these claims and took aim at the organizers of the rally.

“We are aware of a recent rally organized by groups that resorted to disseminating misinformation and distorting data and were frankly disturbed by the tenor of the rhetoric,” said a spokesperson for Bronstein Properties in a statement. “When groups that purport to represent our residents prioritize soundbites to push their legislative agenda rather than focus on improving New York housing, everyone loses.”

Rallygoers call for state protections

Nearly 92,000 New Yorkers are currently unhoused—New York State has the highest rate of homelessness in the country—and around 175,000 New Yorkers are facing eviction, most of them having to go through the process without legal representation due to financial distress.

Rally-goers also pushed for the passage of a slew of tenants’ rights legislation on the state level, which include:

The Statewide Right to Counsel bill (S2721/A1493), introduced by then-Assembly Member Latoya Joyner (D-Bronx) and state Sen. Rachel May (D-Central New York), would guarantee all tenants across New York State the right to a lawyer when facing eviction if it were to become law—similar to New York City’s right to counsel law, which passed in 2017. To make sure that the state court system upholds the local law, state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) and Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) introduced the Defend Right to Counsel bill (S3254/A4993).

Another bill, the Winter Moratorium Evictions Act (S1403/A4093), sponsored by Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn) and fellow Democrat, Assembly Member Dr. Anna Kelles, would prohibit evictions of tenants from residential properties during the winter months, while the Clean Hands Bill (S6769/A1853), sponsored by state Senator Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn) and Assembly Member Rosenthal would prevent landlords from evicting tenants if they do not maintain their buildings.

Fitzroy Christian, a tenant leader with Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA), explained why laws like the Statewide Right to Council are important for tenants statewide.

“So that when [Bronstein] takes all of their tenants to court, we have the protection that we need to make sure we can stay in our homes, get our repairs and be able to live as human beings here in New York City,” Christian said. “The bill ensures representation for tenants in a variety of cases, not just formally eviction proceedings, and it has also an enforcement mechanism that ensures cases cannot proceed until tenants have access to their right to council.”

Bryan Fotino, tenant organizer at the Right To Counsel Coalition, told QNS that Bronstein Properties needed to make the repairs.

“If you’re not maintaining the buildings, you do not have the right to evict tenants,” Fotino said.

Fotino also demanded that the building supers stop interfering with tenant organizing, like tearing down flyers or preventing them from trying to talk to tenants, which is a “violation of New York Real Property Law section 230.” He shared that a super tried to prevent him from leaving the building during one tenant-organizing event.

“I was stuck in the building for like two minutes,” Fotino told QNS. “I kept trying to leave, but he kept putting his arm up. I don’t live in the building, so I get to leave, but the tenants have to deal with this harassment all the time; I really feel bad for them.”

Bronstein Properties disputes the accusations and says that it does a good job in managing its portfolio, given the age of many of its buildings.

“For over 60 years, Bronstein Properties has been proudly dedicated to resident satisfaction,” the spokesperson said. “Despite the challenges posed by New York’s aging buildings and the increased costs associated with maintaining these properties, we take great pride in maintaining them and being responsive to our residents’ needs. Any assertions to the contrary are fundamentally untrue.”

Originally published on September 24, 2024 By Gabriele Holterman | Sunnysidepost

BronxTimes | Op-Ed: Swimming resources are essential for our BIPOC communities

Posted on August 28, 2024October 2, 2024 by

This summer, BIPOC Communities took tremendous losses in New York City because of the lack of knowledge in our community when it comes to swimming. Six New Yorkers have lost their lives due to drowning incidents this summer alone. Particularly, the West African community in New York City took several losses. In Assembly District 77, we have lost two members of our community to drowning. It is a shared duty to make sure that all communities are getting equal access to resources that allow them to learn how to swim.

Research based on CDC data reveals a disproportionate number of adults from the BIPOC community that lack knowledge when it comes to swimming and water safety. While 15% of adults nationwide report not knowing how to swim, 37% of Black adults face this challenge. Additionally, 55% of all adults have never taken a swimming lesson, with the numbers rising to 60% for Black adults and 72% for Hispanic adults. This disparity highlights the urgent need for affordable and accessible swimming and water safety resources in our communities.

The solution to bridging this gap to the lack of water competency is to bring our communities more affordable resources when it comes to swimming and water safety. The term water competency is used by researchers and non-profits to describes the ability to apply knowledge of water safety and survive in common situations to avoid drowning. The lack of water competency in BIPOC communities is what makes this a State of Emergency, not just nationally but particularly in New York City, especially in the Bronx.

In response to the statistics highlighting water competency issues in Assembly District 77 and the Bronx, I have made significant investments in programs aimed at increasing water safety and skills within our community. BronxWorks is a key organization providing affordable wraparound services, including swimming lessons for children, youth and adults. They offer both group sessions for kids and private lessons for adults, making water safety accessible to all. New Settlement is another invaluable resource, offering affordable swimming classes and lifeguard certification programs. Additionally, Roberto Clemente Park in the Bronx provides swimming lessons and is currently seeking lifeguards. These initiatives not only promote water competency, but also enhance employment opportunities within our community.

By expanding access to these resources, we can prevent further tragedies and ensure that every New Yorker, regardless of background, has the skills needed to stay safe in and around water. This is not just a matter of public safety; it is a matter of equity. We must continue to invest in and advocate for programs that bring water competency to our communities. Only then can we close the gap and protect the lives of our neighbors and loved ones.

Assemblymember Landon Dais represents New York’s 77th Assembly District, which is comprised of parts of Claremont, Concourse, Highbridge, Morris Heights and Mount Eden.

Originally published on August 26, 2024 by Assemblymember Landon Dais | BronxTimes

Gothamist | Low-income Bronx Families to Get Free Child Care for Young Children at 6 New Centers

Posted on July 30, 2024August 19, 2024 by

Low-income Bronx families will soon have more child care options for their young children.

Six new Head Start centers will launch in the borough, with some facilities opening as early as this year, offering families with children up to the age of 5 free, year-round care.

Grand Street Settlement, a social services provider, told Gothamist it received $18.4 million from the federal government to expand its early childhood services in child care deserts around the city. The six new Head Start sites will open in the Bronx and another in Sunset Park to serve 583 children whose families fall below certain income levels.

“When the city catches a cold, the Bronx gets pneumonia, because of the lack of resources, because of the concentration of poverty,” said Robert Cordero, CEO of Grand Street Settlement. “Our strategy is, we should take our high quality childcare services to where they are needed and to build programs that address the needs of the whole family.”

Grand Street Settlement already runs Head Start programs in the Lower East Side and Brooklyn. Cordero said families in the Bronx have five times less access to a Head Start program than families in the Lower East Side.

Head Start is a federally-funded program and offers comprehensive services for children, but also for their families, including health, mental health care, assistance with housing, employment or education.

“When we engage with families like that on the upfront, it changes the entire trajectory of their life and their family’s life,” Cordero added.

Most New Yorkers can’t afford to pay for child care despite the city’s free programs for 3- and 4-year-olds. And child care costs are among the major factors driving young families out of the city. But the problem is more acute in the Bronx, where households in Mott Haven and Hunts Point spend as much as 63% of their income on infant and toddler care, according to the Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York.

The nonprofit child advocacy group also found only 1% or less of families in those Bronx neighborhoods — where median annual income ranges from $30,000 to $43,000 — and others like Highbridge, East Tremont and Morrisania can afford to pay for infant and toddler care, based on federal affordability standards. Federal guidelines say families shouldn’t pay more than 7% of their household income to care for one child.

“Now families really don’t have to choose between daycare and food or daycare and paying their rent. This is really going to be a game changer for families that are really struggling,” said Rigaud Noel, executive director of New Settlement, a social services provider in the Bronx that will house one of the new Head Start programs run by Grand Street Settlement in its existing community center.

“Families really don’t get a break. And so this is really a moment of relief for them,” Noel said.

Early Head Start and Head Start is offered to children from birth up to 5 years old, with the goal of preparing them for kindergarten. Programs can be based in a center or can involve an educator visiting a child or a pregnant person’s home to work with a parent and provide services.

To qualify for Head Start, families need to earn below certain incomes. In New York City that means a two-person household earning $20,440 or less a year and a family of four earning $31,200 or less are eligible.

Willing Chin-Ma, chief operating officer for Grand Street Settlement, said while they ramp up to open all six Bronx sites, they will also partner with about two dozen existing providers that run programs in their homes or at locations and for children that would otherwise be eligible for Head Start.

That includes providing training for staff, bringing in mental health staff workers to conduct screenings, paying for teachers to go back to school and helping families apply for the services they need.

“Head Start is helping families stay in their communities, and boost with all this comprehensive wraparound service,” Chin-Ma said. “We’re targeting the areas where there are not enough child care centers.”

Chin-Ma expects all sites will be running by 2026. Families interested in applying for the new sites can reach out to Grand Street Settlement.

Originally published on July. 16, 2024 via Gothamist

BronxTimes | Seventh annual Housing Conference held to better inform tenants of their rights

Sunnysidepost | Sunnyside tenants rally against Bronstein Properties, citing building violations, retaliation and unsafe conditions

BronxTimes | Op-Ed: Swimming resources are essential for our BIPOC communities

Gothamist | Low-income Bronx Families to Get Free Child Care for Young Children at 6 New Centers

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Gothamist | Low-income Bronx Families to Get Free Child Care for Young Children at 6 New Centers

Gothamist | Low-income Bronx Families to Get Free Child Care for Young Children at 6 New Centers