Urbanities,
Vol. 4
·
No 1
·
May 2014
© 2014
Urbanities
6
buildings have been in the pipeline for fifteen years. There are twenty units in this five-story
walk-up, sixteen of which are now owned and four rented. The building was in horrible physical
condition and needed a gut renovation. Previously the building had not been a safe place, with
multiple robberies, drug deals, and even a shooting and knifing. She persevered and rid the
building itself of known criminals. Residents had lived without heat for two years. The water bill
had not been paid for fifteen years, so lines were turned off. Sewage backed up, filling the
basement to the ceiling. Many people got sick often, suffering cold, coughs and vomiting. Even
in the winter, windows had to be open to avoid the smell.
Most residents moved out for two years (2004-2006) as the building underwent renovation.
Many are unhappy with the result since rooms were made smaller (partly because of new zoning
regulations and partly because of a corrupt contractor). Some bedrooms barely have space
enough for a twin bed, and in kitchens in one line of apartments it is impossible to open the stove
and the refrigerator at the same time. The contractor (‘Green Hill’), which must be from a
Department of Housing and Preservation (HPD) approved list, had a notoriously bad reputation
(and has since reorganized under a new name). Since they were rehabilitating four buildings in
the neighbourhood at the same time, Green Hill took insulation from Home Together and used it
in other buildings. As a result, walls are not insulated so when an alarm clock goes off in one
apartment, neighbours are woken up too. The contractors also would have taken the hall lights
that Home Together had paid for, but Miss Ruby stopped them.
When a building converts into an LEC, tenants already living there have the option to buy
into the corporation and continue to live in their apartments, no matter how many bedrooms or
square feet, for the price of $2500.
2
This is a very poor building—about half of the residents
receive government housing subsidies. While LECs differ in their corporate structures and
proprietary leases, in newer ones like Home Together, those who decide to remain renters have
rent-stabilized apartments, although a majority of residents must buy for a conversion to occur.
Outsiders who move in pay more; about $35,000, which is still a relatively small amount. Twelve
people bought, four rented and four apartments were sold. Surprisingly, UHAB obtained a grant
making it possible for incoming tenants to pay only $2,500. As a result, no mortgages were taken
out and residents are not subject to predatory lending practices as individuals. As a co-op, the
building has both private and public loans. As in the last year two shareholders have died, two
apartments became available for sale. Because of the conditions of the grant Home Together
received, the new shareholders of the two apartments will pay $2650 each, while the grant will
pay the difference between the ‘real’ resale price to the corporation (about $45,000 per
apartment).
Despite numerous health problems, Miss Ruby works extremely hard at keeping up the
building and dealing with tenants’ complaints and problems. Even though she is no longer Board
President, residents still come to her with their grievances rather than go to the current President,
2
This did not have to be paid all at once, but in instalments of $500 each.
