Organizing and Policy

Since 1998 UHAB organizers have reached out to and engaged thousands of tenants in over 650 buildings across New York City.  The Organzing and Policy Department is at the forefront of researching, exposing, and directly challenging speculative real estate practices that threaten tenants' rights to decent and affordable housing.  This work is done via the combined efforts of on-the-ground organizing in distressed multifamily buildings and public advocacy campaigns. 

New! Read the blog by our Organizing team: The SurRealEstate.

Principles and Initiatives

Tenant  Choice: UHAB works to empower tenants in federally subsidized, state subsidized, and rent-stabilized buildings to make proactive decisions regarding their building.  By forming tenant associations that meet regularly with UHAB organizers, tenants are encouraged to exercise their collective power to choose a model of ownership that suits the needs/wants of their building, hold landlords and lenders accountable, and fight for safe, comfortable, and affordable housing. 

Predatory Equity is a phenomenon whereby private equity investors acquire and substantially overleverage rent restricted housing for the explicit purpose of removing regulation, raising rents, and displacing low and moderate income families.  With the recent financial crisis, investors have been unable to realize their anticipated returns.  As a result, many buildings have fallen into foreclosure and serious disrepair.  The Organizing and Policy Department is at the forefront of innovative policy solutions which fight Predatory Equity and lead to opportunities for the preservation and recapture of this housing stock as affordable. This is primarily done through transfers to tenants and tenant endorsed non-profit housing providers.

Cooperators United for Mitchell-Lama is an effort led by tenants and shareholders fighting to keep affordability in their Mitchell-Lama buildings for themselves and future generations of working New York families. UHAB helps share information, organize materials, and coordinate groups that oppose the privatization of Mitchell-Lama cooperative housing.

The Partnership for Affordable Housing consists of UHAB, the Community Service Society, the Legal Aid Society, Tenants & Neighbors, The Pratt Area Community Council, and South Brooklyn Legal Services.  These well-established housing advocates have partnered to monitor and advise public officials and policymakers on issues surrounding affordable housing. Irresponsible lending, management, and speculative development took a grave toll on affordable housing during the real estate bubble.  PPAH hopes to rectify the damage by drawing attention to trends and suggesting responsible actions.