Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Occupy Wall Street Hosts "Foreclosure Tour" In East New York Tomorrow
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Dec 5, 2011
Modified Dec 5, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Dec 5, 2011
Modified Dec 5, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Though Occupy Wall Street has spent much of their time amidst the canyons of the Financial District's "heroes," tomorrow's efforts are focused in East New York, as part of a nationwide day of action to call attention to the housing crisis that continues to plague much of the country. Occupy Our Homes will meet at the Pennsylvania Avenue subway stop in Brownsville at 1 p.m. for a tour of foreclosed homes, ending with a housewarming party for the families who are "taking these homes back for the community," despite impending foreclosure, and according to a release, volunteers from the many organizations involved will begin fixing up abandoned property.
Regardless of who you believe is culpable for the housing crisis (hint: maybe those responsible for predatory lending, robo-signing, profiting off toxic mortgages, the list goes on) empty homes are a serious problem for communities across the country. In Jamaica, Queens, vacant and foreclosed properties are, in the words of the commanding officer of the 113th Precinct, "a magnet for criminal activity."
Elsewhere, squatters have taken over entire neighborhoods in Florida, and the sheer number of foreclosed homes making their way through the court system have given affected families more time. The federal government has looked into allowing homeowners to rent their foreclosed homes, but no plan has been finalized.
President Obama has proposed a new mortgage-relief plan that would allow homeowners who owe more than their homes are worth, or who have little equity, to refinance if they have not missed a payment in the last six months and haven't had more than one late payment in the last 12. But the plan only applies to loans doled out by Freddie and Fannie, and does little for those who already find themselves homeless or living in their cars. For the first time since 1959, the federal budget doesn't contain money for the construction of low-income housing for seniors.
In a sign that some humanity still exists in this country, law enforcement and a moving company refused to forcibly evict a 103 year-old woman and her 83-year-old daughter from their home. The bank ordering the foreclosure, Deutsche Bank, was sued in May by the federal government for $1 billion for "repeatedly lying" to the Housing Administration about the solvency of its mortgages.
And in Bed-Stuy, neighbors and community organizations prevented 82-year-old Mary Lee Ward—known as "Mama" in her neighborhood—from being evicted in August after fighting for ten years in court over a predatory loan she never accepted.
Ode to Mama from Housing is a Human Right on Vimeo.
Tagged
brownsville
east new york
economy
foreclosures
housing crisis
obama
occupy wall street
protests
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .