Going Public: Keeping the Promise

In June, 180 EBC tenant leaders and members from Boulevard, Linden, and Penn Wortman Houses, and St. Paul Community Baptist Church went public to hold two private developers in East New York accountable for keeping their promises. Lisa Gomez, CEO of L&M Development, and Matthew Linde, CEO of PRC, attended action. Both development companies (combined assets of over $25 billion) made strong commitments to make critical repairs, improve public safety, develop effective rental recertification and create community centers.

After 400 individual meetings and 32 core team meetings, EBC tenant leaders won recognition by getting developers to the table and making a deal. Several news outlets covered action including local ABC News, 1010 WINS, and The City Reporter. Now, EBC tenant leaders plan to organize to keep and expand the deal.

As EBC Tenant Leader, SGT. Yolanda Moore, said, “This is the first time Boulevard, Linden and Penn Wortman Houses came together as one. Tenants came into the action divided by developments. Tenants are walking out together - as EBC.” Tenant leaders from Breukelen, Pink, and Howard Houses and from Community Voices Heard in The Bronx joined the fight to see organized power first hand, with support from St. Paul Community Baptist Church and Manhattan Together.

Going Public: Keeping the Promise - EBC Tenant Leaders Win Commitments from Top Developers