Community advocates from the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit talk with Brooklyn residents in East New York to raise awareness about tenants’ rights and protections against illegal evictions.
Photo courtesy of The NYC Human Resources Administration
In a move to combat unlawful evictions during cold “Code Blue” temperatures, the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) conducted a targeted community outreach on Jan. 30 in East New York.
East New York was identified as having the highest rate of illegal lockout filings in the borough. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to inform tenants about their rights, spearheaded by the newly formed Tenant Protection Cabinet, in collaboration with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).
“In the face of rising housing challenges, tenants must understand their rights and know how to respond to illegal lockouts,” said Adrienne Lever, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit. “Our goal is to empower New Yorkers with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves and their families. If you have questions about your tenant rights, you can speak to a PEU Tenant Support Specialist by calling 311 and asking for the Tenant Helpline.”
Since August, the PEU has been proactive in distributing vital information across 37 high-risk zip codes in New York City, educating tens of thousands of tenants on how to respond to illegal lockouts. The outreach is crucial in zip code 11208 of East New York, which has been among the top five city-wide for illegal lockout court filings from 2020 to 2023.
HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. reiterated the city’s commitment to ensuring tenants are aware of their rights and the legal procedures for evictions. He emphasized the importance of familiarizing oneself with available resources and reporting any violations, such as utility shut-offs, to HPD through 311 or calling 911 in emergencies.
“It’s important that tenants know their…
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