Tenants In Predatory Equity Buildings Speak Out!, Forum; 10/29; Trinity Church, Lower Manhattan

**For Immediate Release**

October 28, 2009


CONTACTS: Elana Shneyer- (646) 245-2935, Elana_shneyer@prattarea.org;
Amyre Loomis- (718) 260-9191, aloomis@council.nyc.gov


Tenants in Predatory Equity Buildings Speak out about poor conditions, harassment and the loss of affordable housing– immediately following a candidates forum on Poverty, Housing, Hunger and Homelessness this Thursday, October 29th, at 5:30pm

Tomorrow, Council Member Letitia James and tenants from Brooklyn apartment buildings owned by the predatory equity company Dermot will gather at 5:30 pm outside of Trinity Church located at 74 Trinity Place. Tenants plan to expose the issues in their buildings including landlord harassment, poor building conditions, and lack of communication with management, which has persisted in many cases for more than two years.

Tenants view these problems as part of a larger trend in NYC where landlords are purchasing buildings and trying to turn a profit by any means possible - including evicting as many tenants as possible. These tenants are demanding that city government pay attention to the needs of moderate and low income tenants, and that voters take into account candidate positions on preserving and creating affordable housing next Tuesday.

This press conference is an opportunity for Dermot tenants to discuss the ongoing and serious issues in place at their buildings and management's refusal to meet with them, as well as how these problems connect to larger City politics, such as the lack of attention being given to quality, affordable housing by top leadership.

What: Tenants Speak Out against Predatory Equity and Harassment
When: Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Where: In Front of Trinity Church, 74 Trinity Place (between Wall Street and Rector Place) in lower Manhattan

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