STATEWIDE — COUNCILMEMBER CHI OSSÉ and the People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft announced an initiative calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to enforce a temporary eviction moratorium for properties where deed theft or fraud is suspected. Ossé and the coalition argue families are being pushed out while ownership disputes remain unresolved, according to a press release from Feb. 2.
The release says thousands of deed theft complaints have been filed over the past decade, disproportionately impacting Black homeowners in Brooklyn, and that 24 city and state elected officials signed a letter to Hochul seeking more active enforcement of current laws as well as a pause on evictions.
“Deed theft is one of the most pervasive and least discussed housing crises in New York,” said Ossé.
“No one should be forced out while the courts are still determining whether a home was stolen. A temporary stay on eviction proceedings in these cases is necessary to achieve longer-term solutions to protect homeowners experiencing the unspeakable devastation that is deed theft.
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