The Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council
The cost of a new lease for some apartments in Prospect Heights has nearly doubled over the last fifteen years. Thousands of residents have been displaced during that time. And more apartment buildings are changing hands--often with the expectation by the new owners that new tenants will be willing to pay much higher rent.
The Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council (PHNDC) was founded in 2004 to advocate for neighborhood-wide issues on behalf of the Prospect Heights community. PHNDC wants to help community members better understand their rights as tenants. By learning about strategies to address displacement pressure now, tenants have a better chance of keeping their apartments and staying in the neighborhood, no matter what the future may bring. And if building residents are already experiencing tenant harassment, there are resources in the community that can help them organize and fight back.
The Land Use Committee of Community Board 8 reviews applications for zoning changes, variances, historic designations, and building permits in historic districts.
The September meeting include a review of a zoning change application from the owners of 587 Bergen Street. The property is currently zoned M1-1 and is vacant. The owners are asking that it instead be included in the boundary of the neighboring R6B zone to allow for the construction of a four-story apartment building. An earlier presentation by the owners indicated the building will contain 26 apartments, with 10 being affordable, and 13 below-ground parking spaces.
BROOKLYN, NY, June 7, 2017: Today, the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council (PHNDC) announced a new campaign to address displacement pressure experienced by tenants of the neighborhood’s rent-stabilized apartments. Executed in partnership with IMPACCT Brooklyn and JustFix.nyc, the Know Your Rights, Keep Your Apartment initiative will educate residents of multifamily housing on protecting their rights as tenants, offer web and mobile tools for documenting instances of harassment, and provide referrals for assistance to tenants threatened with displacement.
PHNDC’s research has shown that, over the past fifteen years, as much as twenty percent of the residents of Prospect Heights have been directly displaced from the neighborhood. “We know that Prospect Heights residents believe social and economic diversity is key to maintaining the quality of life in our community,” said PHNDC Chair Rob Witherwax. “This initiative is a response to gentrification and development pressure that ultimately affects everyone living and working in this neighborhood.”
“With our partners IMPACCT Brooklyn and JustFix.nyc, we’re rolling out a full-lifecycle campaign that prepares tenants with strategies to counter harassment, assistance for when they experience it, and ongoing organizing support,” said Gib Veconi of PHNDC’s Housing Committee.
Join PHNDC, IMPACCT Brooklyn, JustFix.nyc and the PS9 PTO for a community forum on how Prospect Heights tenants can take action against displacement pressure affecting our community.
Find out about:
Check out our Six Steps for Tenants to find out how to begin taking action to keep your apartment, and click here to find out how to sign up for JustFix.nyc.
Thousands of new affordable apartments will be build over the next decade in this part of Brooklyn. You have a chance to win one.