In 1986, Millie Reyes documented the poor living conditions of her family's apartment, in an effort to demand repairs by the landlord. We researched the same building, 28 years later to see how conditions have changed. In 2014, while still moderate to low-income, it seemed many of the apartments had been renovated with none of the original issues MIllie had experienced.

1986: These walls have been chewed down over the years by the infestation of rats in Millie's apartment.

2014: The walls in the apartment are now much smoother and show no signs of rodents in the home.

1986: Millie's cousin had to constantly light the stove with matches in order to get fire to heat up water.

2014: The stoves are much more modernized and operate properly whenever needed.

1986: Bathrooms are in very poor conditions. The hot water does not run and the bathtub is worn out.

2014: The toilet, the shower, and the sink are all functioning properly.

I, Dominque, sat down with my mom Cynthia Ward and asked her to talk about some of the issues we've had in our apartment and what she's done to demand repairs from our landlord.

We interviewed Jenny Laurie, Executive Director of Housing Court Answers, to help explain some of the main issues tenants face and who is most affected by housing inequalities in New York. 

1/3 of NYC's population, especially those who must pay market rate for apartments - $1,500 monthly or more - pays more than 1/2 of its income on housing.

“The mayor has promised 200,000 new units of affordable housing over the next 10 years, a goal that has been called ambitious. But, as some have pointed out, the city is expected to lose 38,000 affordable units on an annual basis at the same time”
Widening inequality intensifies New York City housing crisis

A tale of two cities...

NY poverty rate is 6.5 points higher than the national average and 1.8 million people — around one in five — require food assistance to get by.

The citywide poverty rate remained stalled at about 21 percent. About 1.7 million New Yorkers were living below the official federal threshold for poverty, with the biggest numerical increase among New Yorkers who are 18 to 64 years old.

Inequality in the United States: Understanding Inequality with Data

Here we have created a map of different tenant organizations and a court house in the city. There are likely many others out there, and if you don't see an organization in your neighborhood on the map, a good place to start is by either contacting one of these organizations for references, or talking to your neighbors, and see if anyone has formed a tenant association or knows of organizations that can help. 

DO YOU KNOW who your  Landlord is?

Millie Reyes had a hard time finding her own landlord when she put together a petition for repairs in 1986.

In NYC, a landlord can be

the guy that lives upstairs

or can be

an unknown corporation

that you send rent checks to every month.

For many NYC tenants, they have never met their landlord, let alone know who they are.

WNYC Radiolab segment: "My Mystery Landlord"Jan 13, 2015.

DO YOU KNOW exactly what services your landlord is supposed to provide for you?

Listen to Jenny Laurie, Executive Director of Housing Court Answers, talk about what some of the services are  here.

Important info every TENANT should know...

Rent Regulations

How does rent control and rent stabilization work? ASK Jenny 

What is the screening process like for tenants? ASK Jenny 

Learn more about rent stabilization leases HERE.

When you move into an apartment, you are required to pay a security deposit. When you move out, you're suppose to receive that money back (plus interest) unless your apartment has been damaged (cost of damages are taken out). HELPFUL TIP

How to Find Affordable Housing

Learn more about Affordable Housing in NYC HERE.

What is the housing lottery?

Housing lottery are rental properties reserved for households that meet certain income restrictions, commonly referred to as either low-income or middle-income. Each posting specifies how many of each type of apartment is available. Each posting specifies how many of each type of apartment is available.

Here is a link to a list of affordable housing programs.

If your landlord doesn’t comply:

• Call 311

• Take them to Housing Court

​If you are a tenant in a rent stabilized or rent contolled apartment:

• Contact State Housing agency

​If you cannot afford a lawyer for Housing Court:

• Visit LawHelpNY

If you can't find your landlord

If you want to break your lease

If you get evicted:

• Finding a lawyer

What’s illegal?

If you can’t pay rent:

•           The "One Shot Deal" emergency assistance program helps people who can't meet an expense due to an unexpected situation or event. To find out if you qualify, visit your local Job Center.

​To get referrals to charities across New York City that provide rental-assistance or call the Housing Court Answers rent assistance hotline at 212-962-4795

EVC NMAA Youth Producers:

Franchesca Arecy

Dominique Harris

Donyaeh Hinson

Karon White

Luis Hernandez

Stefan Vargas

Ashley Distant

EVC NMAA Instructors:

Lindsay C. Harris, New Media Arts Apprenticeship Instructor

Christine L. Mendoza, former EVC Youth Programs Director

Melanie Martinez, Teaching Assistant and former NMAA Youth Producer