Yesterday, CASA and the tenant association of 1187 Anderson Avenue in the Bronx, one of Emerald Equity Group, LLC properties, held a press conference in front of the Bronx Housing court located on Grand Concourse to demand their landlord meet his legal obligations.
These tenants have faced neglect and horrific living conditions. Bronx Legal services and Assemblymember Landon Dais were also key attendees of this press conference. With the support of CASA (Community Action for Safe Apartments) and Assemblymember Landon Dais, efforts to improve the living conditions and securing the rights of these tenants have been intensified.
“I stand firmly with the tenants who have bravely come together, with support from CASA, to advocate for their rights. Too many unscrupulous landlords in our community perpetuate the cycle of tenant instability by pressuring tenants into questionable contracts and failing to fulfill their obligations. For years, these tenants have endured substandard living conditions, fighting tirelessly for basic amenities and a habitable environment. I am committed to supporting my community in this struggle” said Assemblymember Dais, a member of the Housing Committee of the New York State Assembly, “Tenants pay significant amounts of money with the expectation of being well-cared-for by their landlords, we thank all landlords that work with their tenants and are good actors; this landlord however has egregiously failed to meet those expectations. This movement should serve as a clear message to all landlords across the city who neglect their tenants: such behavior will not be tolerated!”.
CASA has been a vital factor in helping these tenants form a strong tenant association, which now represents half of the buildings under Emerald Equity’s management. Even after the tenants have taken legal action and were granted a 50% rent abatement in housing court, the landlord has continued to neglect his responsibilities. The tenant association, with the support of UHab, is exploring the possibility of converting their buildings into Co-op housing, which would require the landlord to sell Emerald Equity properties. As the Emerald Equity Tenants continue to fight for their justice, they hope their advocacy will inspire other tenant associations to hold their landlords accountable.
