The People Behind the Mission – Tricia
Leading BUJNYC’s largest program is no easy feat, but Tricia Lendore handles it with skill and dedication. Tricia began her career at BUJNYC first as a Law Fellow and later a Staff Attorney in the Preserving Affordable Housing (PAH) team, building a deep foundation in eviction prevention and tenant advocacy across Brooklyn.
Now, as Director of PAH-Brooklyn, Tricia leads a team of more than 60 attorneys, social workers, and client services associates. Her career-long commitment to serving New Yorkers – and to this organization – makes her a trusted and inspiring leader for the team.
We caught up with Tricia to learn more about her work!
Q: Tell us about your work before BUJNYC?
Tricia: Before I returned to BUJNYC, I worked for the NYC Law Department as a Staff Attorney defending municipal agencies in personal injury cases. Prior to that, I worked as an Assistant Law Clerk to a Supreme Court and an Appellate Judge.
Q: Did you always know you wanted to get into law? Did any other profession call to you?
Tricia: I realized I wanted to become a lawyer in college because I enjoyed my political science coursework, and I wanted to use the law to obtain justice for working class communities like the one in which I grew up.
Q: Tell us about your work as the Director of PAH – Brooklyn—what does your day-to-day look like
Tricia: As Director of the PAH-BK Housing Program, I am proud to supervise sixty-five of the most compassionate, dedicated Housing advocates. My day-to-day reflects a servant leadership model in that I endeavor to support the needs of my team as they emerge. Often, I am in Housing Court offering litigation support to our attorneys as they handle their cases. I appear in the New York Supreme Court to handle our more complex cases. Further, I conduct introductory and ongoing trainings for our attorneys and managers as they settle into their roles as eviction defense advocates for the diverse communities we serve. Additionally, I meet throughout the day with our organization’s various stakeholders and community-based partners who share our mission to connect our clients to resources that will make their homes affordable and safe.
Q: What’s one successful case you worked on that you’re particularly proud of?
Tricia: I was pleased that we helped an elderly client obtain much-needed repairs and get relocated to a temporary apartment as those repairs took place. We helped this client to obtain a One Shot Deal and charity assistance to pay off their rent arrears.
Q: What’s been one of the toughest challenges in keeping people housed as NYC continues to face an affordability crisis?
Tricia: The term “affordable” is relative because some of the rents for the newly built affordable units are not actually affordable for many working New Yorkers, including our clients, as those rents can average thousands for a studio and/or one bedroom apartment.
Q: How do you hope to see the PAH-BK team grow in the coming years?
Tricia: I hope the PAH-BK Program can obtain expansion funding so we can meet the growing community need and continue to tackle rising housing insecurity.
Q: What’s one tip you’d give New Yorkers to make sure they’re protected as renters?
Tricia: I would suggest that all New Yorkers avail themselves of the website whoownswhat.justfix.org as a starting point for research prior to renting an apartment. This website can provide information regarding the ownership of the building. Another resource is the HPD website that can provide information on housing violations. These are tools that are starting points for researching an apartment.
Q: Working in NYC is a ton of work! What are your favorite ways to relax and unplug?
Tricia: I enjoy exploring new parts of the City I haven’t been to before with family and friends.