Tenant and Community Organizing
HCC's Tenant and Community Services Program
HCC has provided tenant organizing services since its inception in 1972. We assist tenants in forming self-sustaining tenant associations. Through these associations tenants are able to assert their rights and obtain necessary repairs, upgrade building services, stop landlord harassment, and resolve building-wide complaints. HCC helps tenant associations commence rent strikes, 7A proceedings (asking the Court to appoint an administrator to run a building because the conditions are dangerous to life, health and safety) and HP actions (tenant-initiated actions seeking repairs). We aid in the filing of harassment complaints and in negotiations with building owners.
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Community Organizing is at the core of HCC's fight to help our neighborhood retain its' diversity and remain affordable and livable for all residents. We conduct community campaigns in concert with the membership organization we sponsor, the West Side Neighborhood Alliance (WSNA).
Get Help
HCC's Community Intake Clinic is every Thursday from 10:00am - 2:00pm. View our calendar to see when the next clinic is.
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Appointments are required, please call (212) 541-5996 to make an appointment. Until further notice, confidential community intakes will be held over the telephone.
Eligibility
You must be a resident living on the West side of Manhattan (34th to 110th Street) that meets income eligibility. Find out if you qualify here.
Confidentiality
You can be assured that anything you tell the attorneys, advocates and tenant organizers at HCC is fully confidential. We cannot disclose information unless you give us permission. Please be aware, gathering the necessary information and documents before you come in will save you and HCC staff time so that we can provide you with the best legal information and assistance possible. We look forward to helping you soon at HCC.
What We Do
Forming Tenant Associations
HCC has provided tenant organizing services since its inception in 1972. We assist tenants in forming self-sustaining tenant associations. Through these associations tenants are able to assert their rights and obtain necessary repairs, upgrade building services, stop landlord harassment, and resolve building-wide complaints. HCC
Fighting Against Opt-Outs
In addition, HCC helps tenant groups fight against owners attempting to opt out of subsidized programs such as Project-Based Section 8 and Mitchell Lama buildings. We work to preserve these subsidized apartments and prevent displacement of the low-income and working class people who live in them.
Affordable Housing Campaign
For decades, developers have received enormous tax subsidies to provide "affordable" housing. The programs have only served the landlords in making money at the expense of providing true permanent affordable housing to middle and low income families. These programs need to end. Click here to learn more and get involved.
Annual Tenants' Conference
In early December, HCC and WSNA host the Annual West Side Tenants' Conference. Over 350 tenants come together to attend workshops and trainings, hear from relevant keynote speakers and housing justice activists, and meet their neighbors. Click here for a retrospective of 16 years of the Conference.