Understanding the impact of housing

Commitment to the housing movement

Stephanie is an immigrant and longtime resident of her HDFC. She joined in the effort to squat the building with initial trepidation, but became more confident and committed to the movement as she witnessed the transformative effect that housing had in people’s lives. She was also employed at UHAB at the time. Stephanie recounted the early struggles to occupy and rehabilitate the building, internal debates around affordability, and the struggle to balance business pressures with family ties, among other topics. She is proud of making her dream of a permanent affordable home in New York City a reality.