David is a longtime resident who has stewarded his HDFC for four decades since the time of the interview. David and his wife were one of the original members of a homesteading group organized by a Dominican couple to squat an abandoned building on 105th Street. His involvement with the housing movement influenced his approach toward their co-op. He recounted the early struggles to occupy and rehabilitate the building, debates around affordability, balancing business pressures and family ties. He is proud of making their dream of a permanent affordable home in New York City a reality.

Housing conditions in the 1970s

Organizations supporting squatters