08.17.22

BRIC Announces Town Hall Focused On Housing Insecurity in Brooklyn, Return of In-Person ‘BHeard Town Hall’ Series to BRIC House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Elisa Smilovitz / 551.486.3273 / [email protected]
James Michael Nichols / 718.683.5980  /[email protected]

 

BRIC Announces Town Hall Focused On Housing Insecurity in Brooklyn, Return of In-Person ‘BHeard Town Hall’ Series to BRIC House

 

On Sept. 29, BRIC TV will kick off a year of Town Halls focused on housing insecurity and the impact on communities throughout Brooklyn.

 

BROOKLYN — BRIC, a leading, multi-disciplinary arts and media institution anchored in downtown Brooklyn, announced today the return of its in-person BHeard Town Hall series to BRIC House (647 Fulton) in Downtown Brooklyn on Sept. 29. “Evictions & Foreclosures: The Impact of Housing Insecurity,” presented by BRIC TV in partnership with The City, will bring together experts and leaders to discuss the housing crisis facing communities throughout Brooklyn and the impact of different strategies to mitigate harm and create pathways towards economic justice. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso will deliver opening remarks, explaining his vision for housing in the borough centered around thinking through developments comprehensively, creating affordable housing options for renters, and making home ownership more feasible for others.

 

“Evictions & Foreclosures” panelists include:

  • Judith Goldiner, Attorney-In-Charge of the Civil Law Reform Unit at The Legal Aid Society
  • Leah Goodridge, NYC Planning Commissioner & Managing Attorney for Housing Policy at Mobilization for Justice
  • Jay Martin, Executive Director of Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP)
  • Paul Muhammad, Homeowner/ Community Activist
  • Matthew P. Murphy, Executive Director/NYU Furman Center
  • Stefani Zinerman, NYS Assemblymember, AD 56

The Town Hall will be moderated by Brian Vines.

In the wake of unprecedented job loss and financial hardship across the country, recently proposed tenant protections in the New York State legislature would seem to be an ethical and supportive policy initiative. However, opponents feel this approach burdens small mom & pop homeowners with the same hardships it aims to prevent for renters. The end result could potentially force these homeowners into foreclosure and put them at risk of losing hard-fought generational wealth historically denied to their communities. Does this loss of generational wealth create a cycle of poverty that makes tenant protections essential OR are tenant protections a necessary pathway toward building generational wealth?

The ‘BHeard Town Hall’ series is a long-standing BRIC TV platform for local politicians, activists, journalists, and community members to unpack some of the most important and difficult issues facing the borough. BRIC TV is BRIC’s Emmy-winning, nonprofit community TV channel and digital network featuring content produced by BRIC that’s for, or about Brooklyn.

Since 2014, Town Hall has tackled hard-hitting topics such as the crisis at Rikers Island, accountability in the world of comedy, reparations, and economic equality in New York City. “Evictions & Foreclosures” will be the return of the BHeard Town Hall series in-person to BRIC House following a virtual pivot during the pandemic. RSVP Here. For those who are unable to attend in person the Town Hall series will be live-streamed on BRIC TV’s YouTube.

Wes Jackson, BRIC President, said today:

“I often describe BRIC metaphorically as ‘Brooklyn’s Town Square’ — a place where our community can exchange views, debate, and problem solve. Our #BHeard Town Hall series is key to that vision and a critical part of the work that we do. We’re happy to welcome people back into our cultural home, safely.”

Kuye Youngblood, General Manager of BRIC TV, said today:

“BRIC’s #Bheard Town Hall series, presented by BRIC TV, brings the community, subject matter experts, and gatekeepers together to discuss tough issues. Our city is experiencing vast increases in property value impacting both owners and renters – they are inextricably linked.  Our intent with this Town Hall is to be a connector around ways through this challenge and unpack steps to protect both.”

**BRIC House requires proof of vaccination or negative lab-administered COVID test for entry. Head here for the full policy.**

ABOUT BRIC

BRIC is a leading arts and media institution anchored in Downtown Brooklyn whose work spans contemporary visual and performing arts, media, and civic action. For over forty years, BRIC has shaped Brooklyn’s cultural and media landscape by presenting and incubating artists, creators, students, and media makers. As a creative catalyst for their community, BRIC ignites learning in people of all ages and centralizes diverse voices that take risks and drive culture forward. BRIC builds Brooklyn’s creative future. Learn more at bricartsmedia.org.

ABOUT THE CITY

THE CITY is a nonprofit digital news platform whose mission is to produce free to read, local reporting that serves the people of New York City. Launched in 2019 to fill critical local reporting gaps, THE CITY covers New York’s uncovered neighborhoods, holds the powerful to account, and helps make sense of the greatest city in the world. THE CITY Scoop, its flagship newsletter, is delivered weekdays and Sunday, while additional newsletters serve New Yorkers with news they can use on housing,  jobs and civic engagement

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