New Tenants Rights Group to Tackle Abuse in Carroll Gardens, Red Hook, Columbia Waterfront

CARROLL GARDENS, BROOKLYN — The Carroll Gardens Association (CGA), a community organization dating to the 1960s that develops affordable housing and works to address local needs, has launched a new group focused on countering landlord abuses of tenants living in Carroll Gardens, the Columbia Waterfront and Red Hook.

The CGA runs about 150 units of affordable housing in the area, but the new group, known as the Southwest Brooklyn Tenant Union, will focus on those living in other area properties, explained Manon Vergerio (pronounced "man-oh"), the organizer working to set up the effort.

"Our goal," Vergerio said, "is to train people so they know their rights and make them grow into being a tenant organizer themselves." Organized tenants can address landlord abuses in their homes, she said, while also acting in solidarity with those elsewhere in the CGA's area of activity.

A common concern involves the harassment of low-income tenants, Vergerio said, many of whom live in the city's approximately 1 million rent stabilized apartments.

By law, the city's Rent Guidelines Board determines how much the rent of stabilized apartments can increase year to year, often keeping annual increases at zero or one percent. However, under certain conditions, stabilized units can be rented at market rates, once their rents hit $2,700 per month, and once the current tenants move out.

In order to speed that process, Vergario said, landlords often engage in tenant harassment, failing to make needed repairs, or rehabbing vacant units without considering how the work will impact others living in the building.

"When you start seeing patterns, that's their tactic," she said. "They buy up these buildings that aren't as expensive, and then proceed to harass the tenants out." Once the process is complete, the buildings can be transformed into luxury properties.

The idea for the Tenant Union came during a fight CGA is waging against the owner of 63 Tiffany Pl., a company Vergario said is attempting to push out low-income renters.

During an organizing meeting, tenants from other area buildings showed up, reporting their own problems with landlords, she said, and showing the need for a broader group.

As an example of the Tenant Union's work, Vergerio said that in November, it helped organize a mass 311 call to report unresolved maintenance issues at 475 Hicks St. The city hadn't responded to previous reports, but did after the action, she said.

Those interested in getting involved with the Southwest Brooklyn Tenant Union can reach out to Vergerio or CGA organizer Ben Fuller-Googins any time by calling 718-243-9301, or emailing Vergerio at manon.vergerio@gmail.com.

The group also holds community meetings at its 201 Columbia St. office every fourth Wednesday of the month. (The next meeting will be on Dec. 21 due to the holidays.) The meetings run from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Pictured at top: Manon Vergerio. Photo by John V. Santore.