Red Hook Gardens Residents Again Demand Repairs

Residents of Red Hook Gardens rallied this morning outside the office of their landlord, the Carroll Gardens Association (CGA), to demand they make long overdue repairs despite repeated pleas for proper treatment.

The renters were joined at the rally with their legal team, Build Up Justice NYC (formerly Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A). Tenants voiced their frustration with CGA, who plan to demolish and rebuild the complex but have not given residents sufficient resources to relocate (despite CGA’s offer earlier this year). Meanwhile, the unacceptable conditions in the residents’ homes remain neglected.

“It’s disgusting the way they have us living,” said Angela Gooding, who has lived in Red Hook Gardens for more than 40 years. “Just because they’re tearing down the buildings doesn’t mean we have to live in deplorable conditions.”

Build Up Justice NYC currently represents 19 residents of Red Hook Gardens, each awaiting various repairs that include holes in the ceiling or floor, mold, a flooded basement, and electrical power outages. Several clients also face nonpayment cases from CGA, despite tenants advising that they have records showing their rental payments. A group HP Action has been filed in court and the Build Up Justice NYC continues to pursue justice for their clients.

This is the second time this year that Red Hook Gardens residents have reached out to the media as they seek better treatment from CGA. Despite the residents’ efforts, consistent advocacy from BUJNYC, and ongoing work by local elected officials, residents are still left without answers in unacceptable conditions.

“These tenants have been left in limbo: management tells them one day that repairs are on the way; the next day they say there’s no need for repairs because the buildings are being replaced—but, of course, they give us no timeline for the renovation,” said Johnny Rivera, Tenant Organizer at Build Up Justice NYC and organizer of the Red Hook Gardens tenants.

Other residents continue to face issues with lost Section 8 vouchers, which were voided due to the unfit conditions of their units. Whether it’s repairs, vouchers, or relocation resources, tenants have struggled to get clear answers from management.

Noemi Citron and her husband John have lived in Red Hook Gardens for 20 years. They’ve raised five kids there and today live with their grandchild. They’ve had a variety of issues recently, including no hot water in the winter, mold and roaches around their kitchen sink, and a broken banister on the stairwell. The couple also lost their Section 8 voucher because of the unaddressed repairs. With the prospect of the rebuild looming, they are stuck with few options.

“Apartments these days are expensive, especially with a big family,” said Noemi. The couple does their best to work around the problems in their unit—like boiling water in the winter just to be able to wash up. “We do what we have to in these awful conditions.”

Click here to see local coverage of the rally from News 12 Brooklyn.