After Nearly a Decade of Organizing, Crown Heights Tenants Oust Negligent Owners

BROOKLYN, NY – In a major win for the Dukler Tenant Union, the Dukler family has been removed as owners of 1018 Eastern Parkway, 1074 Eastern Parkway, and 1392 Sterling Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, through a sheriff sale held on September 2. The sale marks an important next step in the tenants’ long campaign for resident control and co-operative conversion, preserving 88 units of affordable housing.

“I’m feeling relieved and hopeful. It’s been a long fight, and I’m happy that the buildings may finally be out of the hands of the Dukler family. I’m ready for a fresh start and for us tenants to finally have a real voice in what happens with our homes,” said tenant leader Desra Lawrence of 1018 Eastern Parkway.

At the time of the sheriff’s sale, the three buildings had a combined 995 outstanding Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) violations. [

“Living here hasn’t been easy,” Lawrence said. “I’ve dealt with mold, leaks, plumbing problems and pests. I even had to buy my own refrigerator and stove and replace my kitchen cupboards because things weren’t being taken care of. We shouldn’t have had to fight this hard just to have a decent place to live. I’m proud that we stood together, and I’m hopeful this will be a new beginning of something much better for all of us.”

Tenants in the three properties began organizing with HOPE, a member-led tenant organizing project of UHAB, and Brooklyn Legal Services in 2018. In 2022, tenants began a rent strike to protest living conditions. After years of organizing to push for repairs, tenants officially formed the Dukler Tenant Union in 2025. Today, the tenant union has achieved its goal of removing the Dukler family as owners and moved closer to its long-term goal of resident ownership.

“This sale would not be happening today if it were not for the tenacious organizing of the tenants,” said Samar Katnani, Deputy Director of the Tenant Rights Coalition at Brooklyn Legal Services. “We have supported their organizing for nearly a decade, and throughout that time, the tenants have refused to accept anything less than the quality repairs needed to provide safe and habitable housing. They have remained committed to their long-term goal of owning their buildings. Today brings them one step closer to that goal, and we are committed to continuing to provide legal support to help them achieve it.”

“This sale marks a huge milestone for tenants after nearly a decade of organizing for dignity, stability and control of their homes,” said Arielle Hersh, Director of Policy at UHAB. “We are excited to see tenants move closer toward their goals, and we know that tools like COPA and the SAFER Homes Act are needed to make this possible for many more tenants. With COPA and SAFER Homes, the negligent Dukler family could have been removed when the buildings were sold in 2018, or after multiple years in the AEP program with hundreds of HPD violations and unpaid property taxes.”

“These tenants have suffered long enough living under the Duklers, who routinely neglected and underinvested in their buildings,” said HPD Commissioner Dina Levy. “Thanks to HPD’s AEP enforcement alongside organizing by UHAB and the tenants, this has finally come to an end. Congratulations to the tenants on the transfer of their buildings away from these predatory owners.”

Following the sale, preservation buyer Mark Schwartz of Brooklyn Affordable Housing Associates LLC will work with HPD to transfer ownership and begin HPD’s preservation process.

Schwartz and the Dukler Tenant Union have agreed that tenants will win their rent strike and begin with a clean slate. Tenants will have oversight during the restoration process and will work with Schwartz to pursue a co-op conversion once rehabilitation of the buildings is completed.

“There will be progress because now we’re moving toward getting most of what we need: a better way of life and a better existence,” said Michelle Stamp, tenant leader at 1392 Sterling Place. “We can now look forward to a safe environment. We can look forward to healthier buildings. Mr. Schwartz has committed to us that we are moving toward ownership. It means progress overall.”

“I’m trying to stay hopeful that Mark will deliver as he promised because the buildings need an excessive amount of work,” added Angela Rougier-Marshall, tenant leader at 1018 Eastern Parkway. “I will put my trust in him and believe he will come through so we can put the Duklers where they belong: behind us.”

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About Legal Services NYC
Legal Services NYC fights poverty and advances racial, social and economic justice for low-income New Yorkers. For more than 50 years, the organization has challenged systemic inequities and helped clients secure housing, income and economic stability, family and immigration support, education and healthcare. Legal Services NYC works to ensure all New Yorkers have access to the resources and protections they need to thrive.

About UHAB
UHAB empowers low- to moderate-income residents to take control of their housing and strengthen communities by creating tenant associations and lasting affordable co-ops. UHAB primarily supports and develops limited-equity housing co-ops, also known as Housing Development Fund Corporations (HDFCs), which provide permanently affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income New Yorkers earning between 50% and 120% of Area Median Income (AMI). Its services include tenant organizing, technical assistance, homeowner training, affordable housing development and preservation, green energy programs and low-cost loans. UHAB’s mission is to empower residents to take control of their housing and build stronger communities through affordable cooperative ownership.

About HOPE
HOPE is a tenant-led community fighting for housing justice by organizing tenants across East Brooklyn. The organization builds power through tenant education, tenant unions and collective action. HOPE advocates for tenant control of housing and an eviction-free Brooklyn.