Twenty-five tenants of Red Hook Gardens filed a lawsuit against their landlord, the Carroll Gardens Association, demanding repairs to their deteriorating apartments and asked for assurances that they will be able to return to their homes after the complex is redeveloped.
The residents gathered outside their Dwight Street apartments on Saturday, where they were joined by their legal team from Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A), according to a press release. Red Hook Gardens is comprised of 31 two-family townhouses, located in four noncontiguous but close streets: Dwight Street, Verona Street, Visitation Place and Coffey Street in what is now known as the Columbia Street Waterfront District.
The tenants highlighted how their apartments had mold, leaks, roaches, mice and holes in the floors. A walkthrough of one of the apartments illustrated the poor conditions that have plagued the complex for years.
Tenant Association President at Red Hook Gardens Quadina Louis said the tennants were treated like second-class citizens.
“This is our home, where we raised our kids and supported each other as neighbors. We are a community and don’t deserve to be treated like second-class citizens. We will not be ignored and fight for our rights as tenants," said Louis.
Brooklyn A is representing the tenants in an HP Action, a legal case filed against a landlord for failing to make necessary repairs or provide required services.
Johnny Rivera, a tenant organizer at Brooklyn A, pointed to the long list of unresolved issues, including broken light switches, defective electrical work, collapsing walls and lack of hot water. In one building, residents have been without mailboxes for over a year, forcing them to visit the post office weekly to collect their mail.
"These conditions are unacceptable,” Rivera said.
State Senator Andrew Gounardes said the tenants have a right to safe and secure housing.
“What our Red Hook Gardens neighbors are asking for is the same thing we all want for our families: a safe, secure, affordable place to live,” said State Senator Gounardes. “Instead, they're living in apartments plagued by mold, pests, and disrepair. We need the Carroll Gardens Association to do right by their tenants, to ensure their current apartments are in a state of good repair, and to guarantee that the redevelopment results in a brighter future for residents.”
In addition, many tenants have lost their Section 8 housing vouchers due to the complex’s failure to meet code standards.
CGA, a non-profit organization, plans to demolish and rebuild the complex in the coming year.
While CGA has offered relocation assistance, residents remain concerned about finding affordable housing during the redevelopment period and are seeking guarantees that they will be able to return to the complex once construction is complete.
“While CGA’s goal of building new affordable housing with the project is admirable, the organization has not taken sufficient steps to ensure all current residents remain comfortably housed throughout the redevelopment process,” said Rivera.
Tenant Deshana Gooding said the landlord asked several older tenants, despite their mobility issues, to move to a fourth-floor walk-up apartment.
"That's unfair," Gooding said. "You want us out but you don't want to do it right."
Lori Jones, a resident of Red Hook Gardens, said the poor living conditions were unbearable.
“I just want the work done. We thought we would be here forever," she said.
