Warehousing is in the news again with reports of tens of thousands of apartments still being held off the market after the vacancy survey showed very low vacancy rates overall. Many groups and agencies have offered a number of warehoused apartments, but they have varied widely. Part of what the End Apartment Warehousing Coalition is calling for is a true accounting of the number of vacant units in this extreme housing emergency.  

In our city, a staggering 86% of people who make less than $50,000 per year and need affordable homes are rent-burdened - paying more than 30% of their income in rent. Thousands of rent-stabilized apartments should be made available to them. Now.

The New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Tenant Protection Unit secured a $514,000 settlement against Manhattan landlord Steven Croman of Centennial Properties for unlawfully defrauding renters amid a statewide housing crisis. According to the settlement documents, Croman engaged in a scheme to lease regulated units for a term of less than one or two years, making the apartments unavailable for New Yorkers seeking safe, stable housing. 

This investigation and settlement shows that vigilant tenants can make a difference in protecting affordable housing against illegal hotels.

Do you suspect illegal hotel activity in your building? Are people you don’t recognize coming and going frequently? Any stay shorter than 30 days is illegal and rent-regulated housing has even more stringent rules.

Your first step is to call 311 to report illegal short term rentals, then contact Cooper Square Committee! 

Join us on Tuesday, February 20! We’ll be marching to the lenders of a bad-acting landlord and tenants need your support! RSVP to jodiel@coopersquare.org for more details.

AWAKENING IN A SLEEPING WORLD

STUDIO ONE

LESLIE SILVA

FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 8, 2024

OPENING RECEPTION

FEBRUARY 19

7-9PM

GALLERY HOURS

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY

12-5PM

STUDIO ONE

a multicultural space

59 EAST 4TH STREET

THIRD FLOOR #3W

NYC NY 10003

Leslie Silva is a multi-disciplinary artist and activist living in New York City. STUDIO ONE is extremely proud to be a part of her first solo exhibition... The work is Bold. Black. Beautiful and Unapologetic. She incorporates urban and rural environments with the focus on the powerful and luscious landscape of the black female body. Her hope is not to regale viewers with some grand scheme. In her words, "That would be inauthentic." The hope is that you will expand beyond societal limitations. Her hope is to free you to be exactly who you are, divine in nature and creation, existing beyond interpretations..."Awakening in a Sleeping World."

• Artistic Director, Studio One: SaMi Chester

• Advisory Board: Nina d’Alessandro | Caridad De La Luz | Russell G. Jones | Brenda Maloy | Cori Thomas | Steve Wilson

• Executive Director, Cooper Square Committee: Steven Herrick

Studio One is funded in partnership with Creatives Rebuild New York’s Artist Employment Program

Housing Justice for All and the NYC Community Land Initiative (NYCCLI) are fighting this year to win passage of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). This bill would make it easier for tenants to take control of their buildings and interrupt the cycles of speculation and displacement that hurt our community.

Join us on Tuesday, February 27 as we travel up to Albany to demand our leaders pass TOPA this legislative session.

Transportation and lunch will be provided.

Sign up at the button below! If you have any questions, or need more information, please contact Alex Lee: alexl@coopersquare.org