Community Voices Heard

On Tuesday, October 21st at noon, member leaders of Community Voices Heard joined representatives from other organizations that are part of the New York is Our Home Coalition (NYIOH) in protesting in front of the offices of the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) in downtown Manhattan. At the same time, other coalition members, mainly of the North West Bronx Community & Clergy Coaltion held a similar action in front of the Bronx DHCR office.

The goal of the protests were to send a loud and clear message to the State agency, which is responsible for overseeing and administrating many housing regulations to protect tenants, that they are failing in their mission. In a market where affordable housing stock for low income families is on the brink, increased efforts to displace rent regulated and stabilized tenants is at an all time high. The tactics used to displace tenants range from wholesale unwarranted eviction notices, illegal rent increases, and ruthless neglect of basic services like heat, hot water and repair issues. 

A small delegation of 6 representatives was sent up through the main security detail at 25 Beaver street to the DHCR office to personally deliver a list of demands for administrative changes. These changes could potentially go a long way to alleviate the anxiety of many tenants, while at the same time disrupt the tactics of many landlords to squeeze profits out of their buildings. Outside, close to 50 people protested with chants and instruments. The list of demands is as follows:

• Public DHCR Meetings in all the Boroughs
• Establish community advisory board for DHCR
• Crack-down on landlord harassment of tenants
• Defend affordable rent laws
• Stop illegal rent increases
• Enforce building codes for livable conditions
• Respond to tenant complaints