September 24, 2008

Residents of Greenpoint Home for the Aged Get Organized

Last spring, the 5,000-square-foot eclectic brick mansion at 137 Oak Street, known as the Greenpoint Home for the Aged, went on the market for $2.5 million. The reason for what seemed like a relatively reasonable price: the 13 SRO tenants living there and the challenge to use its nearly 15,000 square feet of air rights, due to landmark status. According to Streeteasy, the building was sold in March for $500,000, and now a group called Neighbors Allied for Good Growth is helping the SRO residents hang on to their spaces. The tenants have been harassed, they say, and the building neglected. Tenants' rent checks remain uncashed (a technique landlords sometimes use, hoping they'll bounce later) and some have faced eviction. The other big sin: apparently the landlord has started construction on the site, ignoring its landmark regulations. Their aim is to "initiate a dialogue" with the owner, but so far, he ain't talking.
HOTD: Greenpoint Home For The Aged Hits Market [Brownstoner]
Tenant Organizing Meets the Greenpoint Historic District [NAG]

Posted by lisa at 10:30 AM | Comments (5)
Categories: Affordable Housing, Greenpoint

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