The October 1st issue of the Village Voice focuses on a couple who in 2006 purchased an 8-unit property in Prospect Heights and promptly began evicting its longtime low-rent tenants in order to create a 20-room remodeled home for themselves. Brent Meltzer, Senior Housing Attorney at South Brooklyn Legal Services (a program of Legal Services NYC), is leading the team representing the family living in the building's lone remaining rent-stabilized unit.

Manhattan Legal Services (a program of Legal Services NYC) will hold its 2008 Awards Reception on Thursday, October 23rd at Providence.

On Friday, September 26th, Governor David Patterson approved the Exempt Income Protection Act, which will protect thousands of low-income New Yorkers from abusive debt-collection practices.

UPDATE- The SBLS 2008 Fundraiser was a resounding success, with more than 150 friends turning out to support our work. Thanks to all who attended!
South Brooklyn Legal Services (a program of Legal Services NYC) will hold its 7th Annual Fundraiser on September 23rd, 2008, at Bubby’s restaurant in DUMBO. 

9/13/08- The Legal Aid Society and Legal Services NYC brought legal action today in state Supreme Court against the New York City Rent Guidelines Board (RGB).  The advocates seek to strike down what has been characterized as “a poor tax” against low-income tenants who have lived in an apartment for more than six years and pay less than $1,000 a month in rent.

Governor David A. Paterson has announced a total of $4,175,500 in grants as part of New York’s continuing efforts to address the subprime mortgage crisis. $446,000 will be awarded to  Greater Sheepshead Bay Development Corporation, which will partner with Midwood Development Corporation and Legal Services NYC to provide Southeastern Brooklyn homeowners with outreach, education, counseling, mitigation, and mediation services. The organizations will also hold foreclosure workshops and publish a newsletter for at-risk homeowners. An additional $720,000 will be awarded to Brooklyn Housing and Family Services, Inc., which will partner with Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (a program of Legal Services NYC) to provide outreach, education, financial counseling, legal representation, and court-based services to more than 1,000 households.