Fund community-based organizations to conduct proactive tenant organizing and outreach

The City will combat landlord harassment and displacement by funding a local Southeast Queens community-based organization to support tenant organizing and coalition building in rent-regulated and at-risk buildings in the Downtown Jamaica area and surrounding neighborhoods. Under the Partners in Preservation Program, Catholic Migration Services will:

1. Conduct targeted building outreach to identify tenants in need of support:

1.1. Strategically identify buildings and portfolios where tenants are likely at risk of harassment through

1.1.a Referrals from the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, elected officials and local organizations

1.1.b. Data about elevated eviction rates, poor building conditions, frequent cuts to essential services, and other indicators of landlord harassment.

1.1.c. Conduct door-to-door canvassing of target buildings

2. Support tenant organizing and connect tenants to relevant services:

2.1. Develop tenant associations

2.2. Coordinate interventions with code enforcement team at HPD and other government agencies on behalf of tenants

2.3. Conduct tenants’ “Know Your Rights” workshops

2.4. Refer tenants to legal services through the Anti-Harassment and Tenant Protection program and Universal Access to Counsel program

Funding: $13.8 million Citywide for the 3-year contract period, including $303,750 for Catholic Migration Services in Queens Community District 12