Artists Evicting Tenants in Prospect Heights

It's really short notice, because the rally to protest these eviction takes place at noon today, but the story itself is one worth noting on any day of the week at any time. The specific issue is the "owner-use" eviction of four rent-stabilized tenants at 533 Bergen Street in Prospect Heights. (The story was covered in the Brooklyn Rail in May.) The practice itself--which allows landlords to reclaim rent controlled apartments for themselves or family members--is on the rise. Here's the release from the Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC), which is co-hosting the rally and block party along with tenants:

Owners Andre Wiesmayr and Deanne Cheuk, both well-recognized designers and artists (Cheuk was recently named one of “20 under 30” to watch by Print magazine) want to take over five rent-stabilized units and convert the apartments into a triplex for themselves and co-owners Felicity Loughrey, a celebrity journalist for Vogue Australia, and husband Dan Bailey. Eviction proceedings have already begun. “Sometimes I don’t even sleep thinking about what’s going to happen” says Evelyn Suarez, a cancer survivor who lives in the building with two of her children and one grandchild. “We would have to go to the shelter, that’s our only choice”.

Owner-use evictions, which are on the rise in Brooklyn, especially in the shadow of proposed development at Atlantic Yards less than a half-mile from 533 Bergen, are based on a provision of New York State rent laws which allows landlords to evict rent-regulated tenants to reclaim units for themselves or their family members—without any limit as to how many units are cleared. So-called “owner-use abuse” is also often exploited in order to de-stabilize rents and convert units to market rates. “Over the past year or so, our office has seen a sharp increase in ‘owner use’ eviction cases” says Brent Meltzer, an attorney with South Brooklyn Legal Services who is representing one of the threatened households. “These landlords are not content with taking just one apartment and often seek to displace an entire building full of rent stabilized tenants”.

The event runs from Noon-6PM and there's a press conference at 12:30. It takes place on Bergen Street between 6th Avenue and Carlton Avenue.

[Photo courtesy of Property Shark]