Study Shows Concentration of Evictions in Ditmas Park and Flatbush

DITMAS PARK and FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN — A recent study released by investigative journalism outfit ProPublica found a high concentration of eviction proceedings in Flatbush and Ditmas Park, with both neighborhoods proving to be eviction leaders in Brooklyn.

Using data from the Public Advocate's Office, ProPublica mapped more than 450,000 eviction cases filed in the city between January, 2013 and June, 2015, according to the study's authors.

ProPublica said it wanted to focus its findings on private residential properties, and so the organization eliminated city-owned properties from its data set, as well as commercial and industrial properties.

An overall view of Brooklyn shows how the number of eviction filings in Ditmas Park and Flatbush stands out immediately:

Image via ProPublica

Zooming in closer, the study found that properties up and down Ocean Avenue were a hotbed of eviction activity, as were properties between Clarkson Avenue and Linden Boulevard, an area on the border between Flatbush and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens:

Image via ProPublica

Some of the buildings in the neighborhood saw more than 100 eviction proceedings during the study period. A total of 106 eviction cases were attached to 522 Ocean Ave., for example, while 115 cases applied to 119 E. 19th St.

You can explore the map in detail, and examine individual properties, on ProPublica's website. And for some historical context, check out this associated article from ProPublica linking a 1994 City Council vote to the city's current affordable housing shortage.

Top image courtesy of Tim Patterson on Flickr