Brooklyn Today March 20: Brooklyn Today: Brooklyn is facing a housing theft crisis

The Lede

Hundreds came to testify last week at Borough Hall that Brooklyn is on the brink of a housing crisis, fueled by predatory foreclosures and outright theft of homes. Making matters worse, the organizations that assist victims to fight back are running out of funds. The New York Legal Assistance Group said foreclosures in Brooklyn “are at their highest level since 2009, and as a result, homeowners are desperate for assistance.” What’s needed, experts say, is more funding, more oversight and more reform – and it can’t come fast enough.

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The Rundown

DEMANDS FOR RACIAL IMPACT STUDIES GROW AMID DE BLASIO REZONINGS

“Colorblind policies achieve essentially the same results as policies that are actively or overtly segregationist,” Alex Fennell, the director at Churches United For Fair Housing, said.

POLICE STANDOFF WITH BARRICADED INDIVIDUAL IN COBBLE HILL

Units from the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group were on hand, manning police lines to wave away pedestrians, many of whom wanted to know if they can still get into Trader Joe’s. (They couldn’t.)

BROOKLYN FACING CRISIS IN HOUSING THEFT AND FORECLOSURES, ADVOCATES SAY

Black and brown communities are increasingly being targeted by predatory foreclosures, deed theft and a punitive city program, experts said.

NETFLIX WANTS YOU TO BRING YOUR FIRST DATE TO BROOKLYN

The county of Kings is the perfect place for a first date— according to Netflix’s new show “Dating Around.” We give you the low-down on the five spots featured on the dating series.

UNICORN POOP AND DRAGON FINGERS: MYRTLE AVENUE’S WACKY WARES

This Brownstone Brooklyn neighborhood’s commercial corridor has all kinds of interesting things to buy. Let’s take a walk, and stop in on some of the merchants who keep things ticking on this street.

BROOKLYN’S OLDEST BUS MODELS WILL BE REPLACED BY YEAR’S END, SAYS MTA

The MTA will send new bus models to communities currently served by a disproportionate number of older, higher polluting buses by the end of the year following reports of service disparities.

PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND PROSECUTORS AGREE: RAISE PAY

Salaries for public defenders and prosecutors trail other government attorneys – and they’re asking the City Council to close the gap.

More Brooklyn News

The city’s most selective public high school accepted 895 pupils on Monday. Only seven were black students. (The New York Times)

Here are 15 architects whose designs shaped Brooklyn. (Brownstoner)

Wondering which Brooklyn neighborhood is most affected by stop-and-frisks? It’s East Flatbush. (BKReader)