"Ideal" Model for Supportive Housing

According to the Supportive Housing Network of New York see their website at www. http://shnny.org). The following describes an ideal model of supportive housing. Things to think about while reading: Do you think that Kenmore Hall blends in seamlessly with the buildings around it? Do the folks hanging out in front of the building blend in? Do you feel that - nice as the neighborhood is - it's equitable to put low-income people who use food stamps into a neighborhood where shopping for basic groceries costs more than many other neighborhoods (and it's not like we all buy special, organically grown veggies or eat lobster every night - I'm talking about staples)? Does it seem like the rent is affordable here, when we're all living in one room with a bathroom and the rent is the same as what they charge for multiple room apartments in the outer boroughs? I have a lot of other questions to pose, but it may be more important to just read the article. One sentence jumped right out at me, though, because for the past 8 or so months, H.S.I. has been on a campaign to make tenants here feel that participation in a set cluster of services is mandatory; meanwhile, this organization says that "The range of services offered is flexible and depends on the needs of the tenants." That doesn't sound like they're talking about the same thing at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Supportive housing emerged in the 1980s as a cost-effective solution to homelessness. Despite its record of success, this unique housing model is often confused with homeless shelters, public housing projects or drug-treatment clinics. The following section aims to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about supportive housing.

What is supportive housing?

Supportive housing is permanent, affordable housing in which support services are offered on-site to help homeless, disabled and low-income people live independently in the community. Tenants have leases or lease-like agreements, apartments are affordable, rent cannot exceed one-third of tenants’ income and property management and services are provided by nonprofit organizations.

What does it look like?

Supportive housing is built to blend seamlessly with the buildings around it. Nonprofit organizations typically develop supportive housing to be either the nicest building on the block or "invisible" to enhance desirability for neighbors and tenants. See the Network's photo gallery for images of supportive housing residences.

Who lives in supportive housing?

Tenants can include people with psychiatric disabilities, people with histories of addiction, seniors, families, young adults aging out of foster care, people living with HIV/AIDS and people who have been homeless. Many supportive housing residences in New York City also provide up to 40% of their apartments for low-income residents from the neighborhood.

What kinds of services are available in supportive housing?

The range of services offered is flexible and depends on the needs of the tenants. They can include mental and medical health care, vocational and employment services, child care, independent living skills training and substance abuse counseling.

What is the impact of developing supportive housing on the community?

·         On property values: According to the most rigorous and largest study to date, supportive housing does not depress neighboring property values and actually leads to a slight increase in value for properties closest to new residences.

·         On employment: jobs during construction and 12 permanent ongoing ones. Providers frequently give local preference for jobs where possible.

·         On crime: The presence of on-site, around-the-clock staff who are charged with maximizing tenants’ success typically leads to decreases in neighborhood crime.

·         On accountability: Nonprofit organizations respond immediately to community concerns.

·         On community development: Supportive housing residences frequently act as anchors for the blocks on which they’re developed, making way for neighborhood redevelopment.

·         On community resources: Supportive housing often features community rooms, gardens and libraries that providers share with the local community.

How successful is supportive housing?

According to studies conducted over the past 15 years, supportive housing is the most successful intervention yet developed for ending homelessness among the most vulnerable.

How cost-effective is supportive housing?

Supportive housing drastically reduces the use of the costliest systems of care including hospital emergency rooms, acute care and inpatient psychiatric care according to a half-dozen studies nationally. In New York, the largest, most rigorous study of tenants’ use of services before and after entering supportive housing found that on average, a supportive apartment in New York City saves more than $16,000 across seven systems. Visit the Network's research repository for more studies on the cost-effectiveness of supportive housing.

When and why was supportive housing first developed?

Supportive housing was initially developed in 1980 in New York City to meet the needs of thousands of homeless individuals sleeping on city streets. These people were the victims of multiple societal factors, which included deinstitutionalization and the destruction of more than 100,000 units of affordable housing. Research indicated that the vast majority of homeless individuals grappled with underlying issues including mental illness, chronic illness and substance abuse in addition to the lack of housing. Nonprofit organizations began experimenting with a model of housing that offered tenants quality, affordable rental housing as well as comprehensive on-site services to assist them with the issues that kept them cycling among homelessness and institutions. These early experiments in supportive housing became the basis for a national movement. Learn more about the origins of supportive housing here.

How does supportive housing work?

The concept behind supportive housing is simple: Tenants rent attractive, safe, affordable and have immediate access to whatever on-site support they need to stay housed and healthy.

Who runs supportive housing?

Supportive housing is owned and operated by nonprofit organizations, with regular oversight from city, state and federal agencies.

Where is supportive housing located?

Though supportive housing exists across the country, New York City remains the epicenter with more than 28,000 units. There are more than 46,000 units throughout New York State. For a full list of NYC residences, see here.

Where can I learn more?

The Supportive Housing Network of New York represents more than 220 supportive housing providers statewide. Call our New York City office (646-619-9640) or Albany office (518-465-3323) to learn more.”

ANOTHER VIEWPOINT is necessary to present a balanced picture

Hello, do I need to spell it out? While this presents a glamorous and sanitized model for ending chronic homelessness, does it really make sense to you? I’d actually like to get some feedback from blog readers on this, in the form of comments below. I’d also love to know how many of you actually ended up here because you had health, mental illness, or substance abuse issues that needed to be addressed along with your housing needs, AND I’d love to know if H.S.I. has actually helped at all.

Fwd: Preserve Our Affordable Housing: Weekly Update

In This Update: Push to Preserve Affordable Housing | R3 Mtg May 19 Donate Books to Met Council | Know Your Rights: Pets     PUSH TO PRESERVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING The Rent Guidelines Board held their initial vote last week. While Met Council on Housing and our allies have pushed for a rent rollback, the new board approved a range of increases from 0-3% for a one year lease renewal and 0.5-4.5% for a two year renewal. Despite our disappointment, we are cautiously optimistic that with more pressure and a continued presence, we can achieve a rent freeze. But that's not enough. Tune in tonight! WBAI is home to Met Council's Housing Notebook, and is holding a fundraising drive.  Become a WBAI Buddy and give back to the station that has hosted our show for more than 40 years. Click here to receive Twitter updates The next big chance to advance our agenda takes place on Wednesday May 14th as we help introduce the Quality Housing Act, a package of legislation that aims to give New York City more code enforcement tools to help preserve the affordable housing stock that we have. During the last decade, we lost far more affordable housing than we gained, and we can't build our way out of this crisis. We need an affordable housing agenda that focuses on the New Yorkers who were shut out of Bloomberg's plans. Stand with the Real Affordability for All Campaign, the Asthma Free Homes Campaign, and Councilmembers Torres, Reynoso, Mendez, and Garodnick on Wednesday, May 14 at 11am. We're going to introduce the Quality Housing Act, a package of code-enforcement legislation that will: double the coverage of HPD's Alternative Enforcement Program (from 200 to 400 buildings) beginning 2015, and require AEP owners to post notices in front of the building alerting all occupants that the building has been placed in the program, require HPD to re-inspect an apartment and assess inspector fees for hazardous violations if conditions remain unaddressed, and require multiple dwelling owners to cure violations for mold hazards using the department of health guidelines (not required yet under law) and Indoor Pest Management (IPM), a comprehensive system for removing pest infestations.   WHAT: The Quality Housing Act WHEN: Wednesday, May 14 at 11am WHERE: City Hall Steps Please contact Jose Lopez (646.496.3469) for more information.     REAL RENT REFORM MEETING 5/19  The Real Rent Reform campaign is dedicated to protecting our largest stock of affordable housing: rent regulated apartments. The campaign is currently pushing for a Rent Freeze to protect some of the 2.5 million New Yorkers who live in rent stabilized apartments, fighting against illegal hotels that threaten our affordable housing stock, and curbing the power of the deep pocketed real estate industry. Join us for our next meeting on Monday evening! What: Real Rent Reform Meeting When: Monday, April 28 , 7-8:30pm Where: Goddard-Riverside Community Center, 593 Columbus Avenue (located at 88th Street and Columbus Ave) For more information, contact us at jaron@metcouncilonhousing.org     DONATE TO MET COUNCIL ON HOUSING  We've had an exciting month, we are working to ensure the Rent Guidelines Board votes for a rent freeze and holding the Mayor's office accountable to produce a more progressive housing plan than the previous administration. Additionally, we are also preparing to bring on ten interns and new volunteers. As we grow, we are modernizing our office and creating improvements to help us carry out our mission of helping tenants save their homes and challenging powerful landlords and realtors who are only interested in profit. We can fight and continue to grow with your help. We are creating a Housing Justice Library Collection, and we would be grateful for your donations. The books will help interns, volunteers and activists learn about the movement and to gain valuable organizing and advocacy skills. If you are interested in helping us build our library collection, we would greatly appreciate a donation of $25. We will honor your donation with a label on the inside cover of a book with your name and a note of our gratitude. If you are interested in helping us to build our library collection, please send Ilana Maier an email at ilana@metcouncilonhousing.org.     KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: PETS  People often keep pets – or want to have pets – even when their lease has a no pet clause. If you have or want to have a pet in a NYC apartment, you need to know your rights. There are a couple of ways to legally keep a pet in your apartment when your lease has a "no pet clause."   Pet Law:   If a tenant keeps a pet "openly and notoriously" for three months and the landlord does not begin a court case to enforce the no pet clause, the landlord waives their right to enforce the clause. In other words, if you have a pet in your apartment and you do not try to hide it (regular walks, seen by the superintendent or doormen, taken through the lobby etc.) and your landlord does not take action for three months, they lose the right to enforce the no pet clause. Please note, this only applies to renters living in buildings with three or more apartments and to the owners of coop apartments. This does not apply to residents living in NYCHA buildings. Emotional Support Animals Individuals with psychiatric disabilities may be eligible to keep a pet as an emotional support animal. Landlords must legally provide individuals with reasonable accommodation for any disabilities, including psychiatric disabilities. In order to qualify for an emotional support animal, you must show that you have a psychiatric illness which would be helped through having a pet. To legally have an emotional support animal, you must send a letter to your landlord requesting permission. It is helpful to include a letter from a clinician and information about disabilities laws. Your landlord can deny your request and pursue eviction if you already have the pet.   If your landlord denies your request you can pursue the issue in housing court, ask your city council member to send your landlord an email, contact the NYC Commission on Human rights or the NYS Division on Human Rights.     MET COUNCIL IN THE NEWS **Please note that the Met Council on Housing is not and has never been affiliated with the Met Council on Jewish Poverty in any way**  "A Guide to Tenants Rights" - The Brian Lehrer Show "Affordable Housing Plan to Cost NYC $8 Billion" - Wall Street Journal "AirBnB Subpoenaed by New York AG" - ABC7 Eyewitness News "City Council Committee Moves Williamsburg's Domino Refinery Deal Forward" - Metro NY "Progressive Groups want More Affordable Housing" - NY Daily News "De Blasio Picks 5 Members for Rent Board" - NY Times "With Rent Hike Battle Ahead, De Blasio Appoints Members" -Wall Street Journal   The Met Council on Housing is dedicated to fighting for safe, stable, affordable housing for more than 50 years. Visit us on the web at www.metcouncilonhousing.org Click here to stop receiving our emails. 339 Lafayette Street #301 New York, NY 10012 United States

 

--
"Never underestimate the power of a small, dedicated group of people to change the world; indeed, that is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

Invitation: Quality Housing Act demonstration @ Wed May 14, 2014 11am - 1pm (Kenmore Hall Tenants Association)

more details » Quality Housing Act demonstration demonstration to support the Quality Housing Act. Contact Jose Lopez at Met Council on Housing for details - 646.496.3469 When Wed May 14, 2014 11am – 1pm Eastern Time Where City Hall Steps, NYC (map) Calendar Kenmore Hall Tenants Association Who • Emily Brown - creator • pvanlindentol@verizon.net • emilyholiday.khta@blogger.com • Kenmore Hall Tenants Association Going?   Yes - Maybe - No    more options »

Invitation from Google Calendar You are receiving this courtesy email at the account emilyholiday.khta@blogger.com because you are an attendee of this event. To stop receiving future notifications for this event, decline this event. Alternatively you can sign up for a Google account at https://www.google.com/calendar/ and control your notification settings for your entire calendar.

COMMENTS, PLEASE!

This blog would be MUCH more interesting if more people would comment on material posted. Lots of people are reading it, according to the number of "hits" posted. What's useful? What's not? Do readers know HOW to comment? (Look below each post and find the blue text that says "No comments". Click on it with your mouse and you'll be taken to a new window where you'll be able to enter a comment. You'll even be able to choose to post your comment anonymously, if you prefer not to reveal who you are.)  If you want more of some categories of information, speak up. I've been posting a lot of info on tenants' rights and real estate law because so many tenants seem unsure of what they're entitled to (and what they're responsible for as well). If you're sick of hearing about what I've been posting, tell me what you'd like more information on. There may be other issues that tenants really need to know about, but if you don't speak up, I can't do anything about it.

Invitation: Housing Notebook @ Weekly from 8pm to 9pm on Monday (Kenmore Hall Tenants Association)

more details » Housing Notebook Advice on tenants rights, decent affordable housing and related urban affairs coverage, with call-ins. Scott Sommer is a tenants rights activist and lawyer. When Weekly from 8pm to 9pm on Monday Eastern Time Where WBAI-FM New York, New York, NY, United States 99.5 FM (map) Calendar Kenmore Hall Tenants Association Who • Emily Brown - creator • emilyholiday.khta@blogger.com • Kenmore Hall Tenants Association Going?   All events in this series:   Yes - Maybe - No    more options »

Invitation from Google Calendar You are receiving this courtesy email at the account emilyholiday.khta@blogger.com because you are an attendee of this event. To stop receiving future notifications for this event, decline this event. Alternatively you can sign up for a Google account at https://www.google.com/calendar/ and control your notification settings for your entire calendar.

It's a two way street.....

If you’re going to go after your landlord about repairs and maintenance, you should keep this local law in mind regarding the owner’s right to access. They need to be given the opportunity to cure, or fix, the problem. Keeping them out indefinitely accomplishes little. Being a rent stabilized tenant isn't all about your rights; you have responsibilities, too.

New York City Law and Rule
Title 27, Chapter 2 New York City Administrative Code
HOUSING MAINTENANCE CODE
Subchapter 2: MAINTENANCE, SERVICES, AND UTILITIES  ARTICLE 1
Obligations of Owner and Tenant: Duty to Repair 

HMC § 27-2008 Owner's right of access

No tenant shall refuse to permit the owner, or his or her agent or employee, to enter such tenant's dwelling unit or other space under his or her control to make repairs or improvements required by this code or other law or to inspect such apartment or other space to determine compliance with this code or any other provision of law, if the right of entry is exercised at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner. The department may by regulation restrict the time and manner of such inspections.

For a look at how the various city agencies view things this is an excellent site

http://www.tenant.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4837

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-york-city/1113118-normal-fine-renting-mortgage-broker-appliances-2.html#ixzz2yf5DlTg9

How is this different from the average interview to get a room at Kenmore Hall?

Fwd: RAFA & R3 Events: Weekly Update

In This Update: RAFA Platform Launch R3 Meeting Next Monday | Know Your Rights: Lease Renewals REAL AFFORDABILITY FOR ALL PLATFORM LAUNCH The Real Affordability for All (RAFA) campaign will present a housing policy platform to help solve our city's housing crisis. We will release the document on the steps of City Hall, Thursday April 24 at noon. The platform comes one week before the mayor presents his plan to create or preserve 200,000 units of affordable housing. It will focus on key issues and opportunities for the city government to increase real affordability in housing for all residents, and help move campaigns that our organizations have worked on for years to preserve affordable housing, end homelessness, and the responsibly develop of affordable housing. Tune in tonight! Scott Sommer will cover the recent lawsuit regarding the racist practices of Prospect Lefferts Gardens Landlords. Click here to receive Twitter updates Most would say that it's pretty hard to put together a comprehensive platform in a few weeks, and they would be right. This document is coming together quickly because organizations around the city have been doing this work for decades. Our organizations have the keys to solving the housing crisis, but the previous administration would not listen. This is a platform that will prioritize the New Yorkers left behind by Bloomberg's housing and development agenda. It's a plan to enable our communities to gain access to permanently affordable housing. The release will cap off an amazing two months for tenants: we've seen 200+ rallying for a rent freeze, another 200+ marching for better housing conditions, and hundreds more at countless actions across the city. Join us on Thursday at noon! What:  RAFA Platform Launch When: Thursday, April 24 , 12:00pm Where: City Hall Steps For more information, contact us at jaron@metcouncilonhousing.org. REAL RENT REFORM MEETING 4/28  The Real Rent Reform campaign is dedicated to protecting our largest stock of affordable housing: rent regulated apartments. The campaign is currently pushing for a Rent Freeze to protect some of the 2.5 million New Yorkers who live in rent stabilized apartments, fighting against illegal hotels that threaten our affordable housing stock, and curbing the power of the deep pocketed real estate industry.  Join us for our next meeting on Monday evening! What: Real Rent Reform Meeting When: Monday, April 28 , 7-8:30pm Where: Goddard-Riverside Community Center, 593 Columbus Avenue (located at 88th Street and Columbus Ave) For more information, contact us at jaron@metcouncilonhousing.org. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: LEASE RENEWALS  Renewing your lease can be a daunting experience, especially when landlords are only looking out for their bottom line. Before you sign a new lease, you need to know your rights. Here are the basics if you live in an unregulated (market-rate) apartment: Your landlord is not legally required to renew your lease. If your landlord offers you a renewal lease, it is legal for them to change the rent, terms and conditions of the lease.  If your lease ends and your landlord continues to accept rent, you are in a month-to-month tenancy arrangement and both you and the landlord are required to give 30 days' notice prior to ending the tenancy. If you do not move out after your lease expires, your landlord can begin eviction proceedings but cannot lock you out of your apartment or move your belongings. If you believe that your landlord is refusing to renew your lease based on illegal discrimination, you should contact the NYC Human Rights Commission regarding issues of illegal housing discrimination by calling 311 or 212-639-9675. Read more: http://metcouncilonhousing.org/help_and_answers/ renewing_your_lease_in_an_unregulated_market_rate_apartment Here are the basics if you live in a rent regulated apartment: You are entitled to renew your lease for one or two years (the choice is yours). The maximum rent increase is determined annually by the NYC Rent Guidelines Board. Your landlord is required to send a renewal lease offer between 150 and 90 days before your lease expires and you have 60 days to respond. If your landlord does not send you a renewal lease offer, they cannot evict you. Your old lease will stay in effect and you should file a complaint with DHCR using form RA-90. Read more: http://metcouncilonhousing.org/help_and_answers/rent_stabilized_lease_renewals MET COUNCIL IN THE NEWS **Please note that the Met Council on Housing is not and has never been affiliated with the Met Council on Jewish Poverty in any way**  "Progressive Groups want More Affordable Housing" - NY Daily News "De Blasio Picks 5 Members for Rent Board" - NY Times "With Rent Hike Battle Ahead, De Blasio Appoints Members" -Wall Street Journal "Study: More NYers Can't Afford Housing in NYC" - AM New York "Renters Hope for Promised Rent Freeze" - NY Times   The Met Council on Housing is dedicated to fighting for safe, stable, affordable housing for more than 50 years. Visit us on the web at www.metcouncilonhousing.org 339 Lafayette Street #301 New York, NY 10012 United States

How To Sue Your Landlord For Repairs

City-Wide Task Force on Housing Court, Inc.

Information Sheet

How To Sue Your Landlord For Repairs

Your landlord is required by law to provide adequate services and to keep your building and apartment in good repair. If your landlord is not providing essential services such as heat and hot water or making repairs even though you have notified him/her in writing of the conditions in your apartment, you can sue your landlord in the Housing Part of Civil Court. This court is commonly called "Housing Court." The Court can order your landlord to provide services and make repairs. This action is called a Tenant-initiated action' or a Housing Part ("HP") Action. Individual tenants as well as tenant groups can start HP Actions for repairs.

How To File

Go to the Clerk's office of the Housing Court in the borough which your building is located. (See this Information Sheet for the addresses of the Housing Courts). Be prepared to wait in line. Tell the clerk that you want to bring an HP action against your landlord. The clerk will give you court papers.

The fee for bringing the action is $35. This fee may be waived if you cannot afford to pay. If you have a low income you should tell the clerk that you want to file a "poor person's" application and fill out the additional papers stating your financial situation.

Ask the clerk to schedule an inspection of the conditions in your apartment and/or building by the court inspectors from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (DHPD). Each tenant will be asked to fill out a form called a "Request for an Inspection" listing the poor conditions, as well as a separate form. Make sure that everything that needs repair in your apartment or building is listed.

After the forms are filled out, the clerk will either take the forms and tell you to wait or will direct you to a judge who will sign the papers. The papers, signed by a judge are called an Order to Show Cause and will indicate the date to come back to court.

Serving The Court Papers

You will be given several copies of the court papers. You must deliver one copy to the owner and one to the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (DHPD). The papers will say how they have to be delivered.

Preparing For Your Day In Court

Gather evidence to show that services not been provided or repairs have not been made. For example, take photographs of conditions in your apartment or building and gather copies of letters you have written notifying the landlord of problems.

It is a good idea to keep a written record of building and/or apartment problems noting any steps you may have taken, such as phone calls to the landlord or conversations with the superintendent, to have the problems corrected . Write down dates and times.

If a group of tenants in your building has initiated the HP Action it is important to meet before the court date to agree on a plan of action and to go over evidence. You may want to choose which tenants will testify.

Your Day In Court

Come to Court on the date written on the Order to Show Cause. Your Order to Show Cause will also tell you in what room your case will be heard. Bring your photographs, written record of complaints, letters, and court papers with you. Be there at 9:30 a.m. SHARP. All the cases scheduled for that day will be called in this courtroom. Answer TENANT READY. when your name is called.

In this courtroom you will see many people including the judge, his/her law assistant, the landlord and his/her attorney, the court officer, and other tenants and landlords.

There may also be an attorney from the DHPD's Litigation Unit. The DHPD attorney is there to represent the City. Although this person is not your lawyer and may have interests which are different from yours, it is the City's legal responsibility to make sure that the repairs in your building and/or apartment are made.

If a DHPD attorney has been assigned to your case s/he may call out your building's address or your name and ask to speak to you. Tell the DHPD attorney about the conditions in your apartment/building and show him/her your evidence. The DHPD attorney should help you get a copy of the inspector's report based on the inspection you requested when you filed your HP Action.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you get the name and telephone number at the DHPD attorney before you leave the court. It will be Important later on to follow-up with the DHPD attorney, especially if the landlord does not make the repairs.

The court may urge you to negotiate a settlement with your landlord. The landlord may agree to make repairs but may argue that more time is needed. If you want to accept the landlord's settlement a "stipulation" will be written that outlines the agreement between you and the landlord. Make sure that any stipulation is signed and stamped "So Ordered" by the judge. This is the only way that the agreement is enforceable.

You may not agree with the proposed settlement with the landlord. You have the right to demand to have a hearing and have your case heard by the judge. Tell your story at the hearing. Show the judge your photographs, written record of complaints, letters, and other evidence. Ask the judge to examine the DHPD inspection report.

A history of your building's past violations should be stored in the computer the judge has in his/her courtroom. (Keep in mind, however, that the information on this computer is 8 to 10 weeks behind). If you requested an inspection on the day you filed your papers, that report SHOULD be available. YOUR GOAL IS TO GET THE JUDGE TO ISSUE A COURT ORDER FOR THE REPAIRS. If the landlord does not show up in court the court can still order that the repairs be made.

If the judge issues an Order, make sure you get the index number of your case before you leave. The original Order will be on file but it may not be possible to get a copy that day. However, you can contact the court or the DHPD attorney and ask for a copy when it is ready. Knowing the index number is important, especially if the landlord does not make the repairs on time and you need to return to Court. You may also have to prove that you delivered a copy of the Order to the landlord in the proper manner.

IMPORTANT: Your Order or Stipulation should include a schedule of what repairs are needed and when they should be done. It is a good idea to add a list of dates and times that you will be available to allow the landlord access to your apartment to make the repairs. This may help to avoid problems later if the landlord claims you were not home when s/he sent repair people to do me work.

Follow-Up After Court

If the landlord begins to make repairs, keep track of when they are completed and of what work remains to be done. Be sure someone is in your apartment on the dates that have been agreed upon to let the landlord in. If the landlord asks you to provide access to your apartment for repairs and then does not show up, keep a record of these dates and any attempts you may make to reschedule.

If the landlord does not complete the repairs within the amount of time indicated in the Order, you will need to go back to court. Ask the clerk to put your case back on the calendar for the purpose of holding the landlord in contempt of court and for civil and criminal fines. This means the landlord can be fined or jailed.

IMPORTANT: Contempt cases are complicated and time consuming. Be prepared for a tough fight! Landlords are rarely put In jail and if they are fined, the fines are often small. Several things may help strengthen your case: a) keep good records; b) stay in close touch with me DHPD lawyer and the DHPD Inspectors; and c) organize other tenants in the building to take action as a group.

Important

You should always seek advice as soon as you receive legal papers. Never ignore papers from the court. If you do you may be evicted. Consult a lawyer or a neighborhood housing organization as soon as possible.

Important Addresses

The Housing Parts of the Civil Court are located:

Manhattan

111 Centre Street

New York, NY 10013

(212)374-8416/8412

Brooklyn

141 Livingston Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718)643-7528/7529

Staten Island

927 Castleton Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10310

(718)390-5420

Bronx

851 Grand Concourse (at 161st St.)

Bronx, NY 10451

(718)590-3570/1/2/3

Queens

120-55 Queens Boulevard

Kew Gardens, NY 11424

(718)520-3436/34l4

Where to go for help

THE CITY-WIDE TASK FORCE ON HOUSING COURT staffs Information Tables in each of the five Housing Courts five mornings a week (except Staten Island, which is open Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.) The information is free and is available to all unrepresented litigants. Referrals will be made to neighborhood groups and legal services organizations for additional assistance.

Legal Services

If you have a low income, you may be eligible for free legal services. To get the addresses of the legal services office closest to your neighborhood, contact:

The Legal Aid Society

11 Park Place or 230 East 106 St.

New York, NY

(212)722-2000

Legal Services for New York City

350 Broadway

New York, 10029

(212)431-7200

If you need a referral for a lawyer and you are not eligible for free legal services, contact:

The Bar Association

42 West 44 Street

New York, NY 10010

(212)626-7373

The Civil Court Info line has recorded information on Housing Court. The number is (212)791-6000.

If you are being evicted for nonpayment of rent, you may be eligible for an Emergency Grant from the Human Resources Administration (HRA), There is an HRA Unit in each Housing Court.

Each Housing Court, except Staten Island, has a Pro-Se Attorney who is there to help persons without an attorney who need advice and Information. The Clerk's office can direct you to the Pro-Se Attorney in the Court.

THIS INFORMATION SHEET has been written and prepared by the City-Wide Task Force on Housing Court, Inc., a not-for-profit coalition of community housing organizations. This information was not prepared by attorneys but by experienced housing organizers and should not be thought of as legal advice.