In early 2015, TakeRoot Justice joined a collective of technical assistance providers with expertise in planning, housing policy, legal services, popular education, and design to together support local organizing in communities the City selected for rezoning.
With the support of the Neighborhoods First Fund, TakeRoot’s Equitable Neighborhoods team represented Tenants United Fighting for the Lower East Side (TUFF-LES), CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities and Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES) in 2017-2022 as they worked with Manhattan
TakeRoot provides legal and technical support to grassroots organizations creating Community Land Tursts in order to preserve long-term affordability and economic investment in their communities.
TakeRoot’s Equitable Neighborhoods team takes on matters where organizing groups are enforcing zoning and environmental laws. Examples of past campaigns supported by litigation: Chhaya CDC, Minkwon Center for Community Action and the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce v. NYC Department
TakeRoot worked directly with residents at Wyckoff Gardens, LaGuardia Houses, Holmes Towers and Cooper Park Houses – the four sites where NYCHA and NYC Housing Preservation and Development have publicized an intention to allow private developers to construct market rate
Publicly owned land and buildings create important opportunities to create shared community spaces, affordable housing, and more, but too often, these sites are sold or taken out of public control with very little meaningful community input. NYCommons breaks this pattern
Charity organizations own buildings that house daycares and mosques, arts organizations and churches, food pantries and theaters; they own land for community gardens, playgrounds and farms. State law is clear that they are all entitled to property tax exemptions from
The Equitable Neighborhoods practice at TakeRoot Justice can partner with your organization to educate community members and the public about law and policy. Equitable Neighborhoods team members can facilitate workshops for community members directly, or can work with partners to
Staff Attorney (2019-Present)
