Coalition of public housing developments protest privatization
Resident leaders from Holmes Towers, Isaacs Houses, Adams Houses, Fulton Houses, Douglas Houses, Washington Houses, Queensbridge Houses and Justice Center led a march from Holmes at First Ave. and 92nd Street to Gracie Mansion protesting privatization and infill on NYCHA property. Sandrea Coleman and Lakeesha Taylor from Holmes are pictured here with over 100 people participating.
Links to press:
Manhattan, October 18, 2019
CfDC is supporting a grassroots campaign to halt the privatization of new York city public housing led by public housing residents and supported by at-large New York CITY residents.
March Against Privatization
Public housing in New York City, managed by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is in crisis. Under federal monitorship, lead paint, mold, lack of heat and hot water plague over 650,000 residents, a population the size of Atlanta. The city is planning to privatize 62,000 of the 176,000 housing units. Residents are overwhelmingly against this and are protesting the conversion the destruction of public housing. CfDC is supporting the development of grassroots leadership to organize to stop privatization. Dr. Lenora B. Fulani and the Committee for Independent Community Action have been at the forefront of building city-wide awareness about and opposition to privatization of public housing.
Committee for Independent Community Action (CICA), September 2017
Public Hearing at Holmes Towers
Dr. Lenora B. Fulani organized a petition drive to oppose the sale of public housing and management turn over to developers planned by Mayor de Blasio. Fulani and CICA pressured the New York City Council to hold a public hearing for residents to testify about privatization. Of the approximately 50 who testified, no one spoke in support of privatization. City Council members attended including Corey Johnson (head down), Ritchie Torres and Ben Kallos. The chair of NYCHA, Shola Olatoye (in the audience), attended, and CICA brought out 75 people to the overflowing event.
Public hearing hosted by NYC Council, January 2016
New Yorkers Fight to Stop Privatization
Public housing residents and other New Yorkers continue to pressure elected officials to protect public housing in New York City. Aside from Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer and City Council member Ben Kallos, there are no elected officials who are working with residents to stop the privatization of public housing. In October 2019, several members of Congress whose districts are in New York City called for a $72 billion commitment to repair and protect public housing. Their proposal has been criticized as dead on arrival due to the fact they have not sought broader support in Congress.
Harlem, September 2015