Category Archives: News

A recent article in the New York Times, “Gentrifying Into the Shelters” examines how rapidly increasing housing prices in Bed-Stuy have pushed working class families out of their homes and out of the neighborhood.  The link between gentrification and displacement is indisputable.  But there are some questions the article doesn’t answer (or ask):  Bed-Stuy hasContinueContinue reading “Does rent regulation reduce homelessness & displacement?”

Tomorrow, Tues. June 25th, we are building on the incredible momentum from our City Council Candidate forum by taking part in a Mayoral Forum with other tenants and housing groups from across NYC.  The event starts at 7 p.m. at the Calvary/St. George’s Church – 4 Rutherford Place (east of Third Ave, between E. 16th and E. 17thContinueContinue reading “Mayoral Forum Tomorrow, June 25th”

Last night, the Rent Guidelines Board approved one of the steepest rent hikes in years for rent stabilized tenants:  4% for one year leases, and 7.75% for two year leases.  Ruth Riddick, a Coalition leader who attended the meeting, reported her take on the event: tenant protests were little more than background noise for RGBContinueContinue reading “Tenants Hit with Huge Rent Hikes – We need to hold the RGB accountable!”

Every year, the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) decides how much rents will go up for rent regulated tenants in NYC.  The RGB is made up of 9 members, all chosen by the Mayor.  One of our Coalition leaders, Ruth Riddick, recently investigated the RGB’s recommendations for rent hikes this year.  Here is her update andContinueContinue reading “Stop the Huge Rent Hike!!”

Join us this Saturday, June 15th at our City Council Candidate Forum for Brooklyn Districts 40, 41, and 45.  All candidates are confirmed.  Get to know your candidates and hear their vision for our community!  Complimentary breakfast at 9:45 a.m.

The Flatbush Tenant Coalition fights to keep landlords accountable and accountability means consequences for landlords who don’t comply with NYC’s housing code.  But as Sherryann, one of our Coalition leaders, recently uncovered, NYC fails to enforce consequences for landlords who break the law. This article in the May 4th edition of the Metro newspaper revealsContinueContinue reading “Is NYC enforcing repairs?”

The Flatbush Tenants Coalition will be hosting a City Council Candidate Forum next Saturday,  June 15 beginning at 9:45 am. The forum will be held at Flatbush Tompkins Congregational Church, which is on 424 E. 19th Street (corner of E. 19th and Dorchester Road).  In attendance will be all candidates running for City Council fromContinueContinue reading “Flatbush Tenants Coalition To Host Candidates Forum On June 15th”

Some of our member tenant associations are fighting to stop harassment by their landlords.  Harassment takes many forms, but it all has the same goal – getting rid of long-term tenants to raise the rent.  Maybe your landlord refuses to do repairs (while beautifully renovating vacant apartments.)  Maybe he keeps taking you to court forContinueContinue reading “Harassment & What You Can Do About It!”

When owners make improvements to rent regulated buildings, they can apply to raise the rent based on the cost of the work done.  This is called a Major Capital Improvement (MCI) rent increase, and it  is permanent.  As a coalition, we are working to make changes to current MCI regulations to make them fair to tenants. BelowContinueContinue reading “MCI 101: What is a Major Capital Improvement?”

The building at 2010 Newkirk Avenue was in bad condition for many years.  There was no super on the premises, no emergency phone number to call for emergency repairs or regular repairs, the basement badly needed electrical rewiring, and many apartments had leaks in bathrooms and kitchen ceilings.  As a matter of fact, my apartmentContinueContinue reading “Demanding Repairs – One Tenant Association’s Story”