My name is Jose Velez and last year, when I was threatened with being evicted from the home I have lived in with my elderly mother for the past 27 years, I knew I had to take a stand. I had already lost my building maintenance job, unemployment benefits had run out, and there was little chance of me finding a new job in this weak economy. But I couldn’t just give in – my 82-year-old, disabled mother depended on me.

And I knew exactly what to do – I came to PACC. PACC helped me years ago when we had 107 violations in our 8 unit building. If it wasn’t for PACC, we wouldn’t have gotten the apartments repaired.

PACC directed me to the right organizations and charities and told me the right steps to take. They advocated alongside me in housing court; connected me with free legal help; assisted my mother with her Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption application; and were there for me every step of the way.

Last month, financial assistance from NYC and CAMBA came through and I was able to pay off the rent arrears and save my apartment. I am currently enrolled in HRA’s Work Experience Program (WEP) and Back to Work Program (BTW) and in a much better financial situation.




Supporting our neighbors

Like Jose Velez, many working class families struggle to eke out a living in NYC. Daily, people on the verge of eviction or foreclosure, or who are living in unhealthy, often dangerous conditions, come to us for help. With your support, we will continue to advocate for tenants and homeowners, build affordable housing and create local economic opportunities.

Please donate so that PACC can continue to help Velez and many others like him.


Protecting Affordable Housing in Brooklyn

PACC has always believed that the problems that affect our neighborhoods are best solved by the people who are directly impacted. Our monthly free legal clinics and tenants rights workshops teach people to stand up against displacement and rectify long-standing maintenance grievances. Last year we developed over 30 new tenant associations, giving tenants the skills they need to advocate for themselves and their communities. And through PACC Leadership Group, we are developing leaders who take major roles in statewide campaigns such as the Living Wage Campaign.


Defending people’s homes against foreclosure

PACC’s Home Services department first became involved with mortgage foreclosures in 1993 when a homeowner lost his Clinton Hill home due to a shady $75,000 predatory mortgage. While the profile of the home owners seeking PACC’s assistance has changed from predatory lending victims to people facing economic hardship, we remain at the forefront of the fight against foreclosures. Since July 2010, we have individually counseled over 260 people facing default or foreclosure, kept 32 families in their homes by modifying their mortgages to affordable rates, and persistently advocated on behalf of our community for legislation and other initiatives to save people’s homes.


Championing Small Business Owners on Fulton Street

PACC is spearheading Fulton Street revitalization, ensuring that small businesses have the capital and expertise to compete. Since 2008, our innovative Rolling Up the Gates storefront strolls have nurtured the opening of over 50 businesses. Annually, dozens of local merchants benefit from PACC’s one-on-one small business services, obtaining business tools, services and referrals to a broad range of no- and low-cost business specialists, such as pro bono legal advice from Stroock & Stroock & Lavan. And, our popular Small Business and Marketing Workshop Series develops local merchants into savvy small business owners through expert led classes focusing on acquiring and managing a thriving business.


Preserving and Creating Homes

Over the past 20 years, PACC has developed 88 buildings, or 813 low- and moderate income apartments, of which we manage 697. Current projects, totaling 187 apartments, include a new 98-unit supportive housing building, Navy Green, in the Fort Greene/Wallabout neighborhood of Brooklyn; a 71-unit renovation project at 265 Hawthorne; and the historic preservation of an 18-unit affordable housing development that is also an exceptional landmark building—the former Headquarters of the Fire Department of the City of Brooklyn. By the end of this year, PACC will reach a milestone of 1000 affordable rental and home ownership apartments!


For 47 years PACC has been working to keep community residents safe in their homes. Please donate now. As a not for profit, 501(c)3, organization, your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

 Faith Heron in front of her house.

Here is a story of one of our clients: Faith Heron

When she came to PACC in April 2009, Faith had fallen behind six months with her mortgage payments. She had bought her home in Far Rockaway in 2005, without realizing that she had an adjustable rate mortgage. After expensive and much needed repairs to the plumbing system, her higher monthly mortgage payments of $2800 were impossible for her to manage. She faced losing her home and being on the street. PACC contacted her loan servicer and after lengthy negotiations, Faith was placed on a forbearance plan in December 2009. Her payment has been reduced from $2808 to $1627. Faith is now focused on working and saving her money to ensure she is able to keep her home. Faith says "The counselor at PACC was phenomenal, she was very reassuring and professional, and understood my situation perfectly. I could not have done this on my own. Thanks to PACC the process was expedited quickly and successfully and I don't feel like I am drowning anymore. Thanks Guys!! ".

Many other Brooklyn families are in dire straits and need help. In 2010, Brooklyn had the highest rate of foreclosures in the City and PACC's counselors intervened on behalf of over 189 homeowners who were facing foreclosure But it's not only Homeowners who are facing home loss - tenants too face losing their homes and PACC is helping many tenants in distressed multi-family housing.

As we face job loss, a staggering debt burden and a credit squeeze, those hardest hit are the very people that need help the most. With so many problems, it's easy to be overwhelmed but you can make a difference.

We ask you to make a generous donation to fund foreclosure intervention counseling and assistance for families in Central Brooklyn. With your support we will continue to intervene and prevent home loss, advocate for those of limited income and develop and preserve affordable housing in Central Brooklyn.

Mariadele Priest and PACC Staff Members

For over 20 years Mariadele has worked tirelessly on behalf of Brooklyn's families and individuals for access to safe, affordable housing; building coalitions; and directing much-needed resources.Mariadele Priest and her husband moved to Fort Greene in 1990. She was looking for a home that they could afford, and was impressed by the quality of the housing stock, the accessibility, the park and the diversity of the neighborhood, both racially and economically.

When they first moved to Fort Greene, there were few amenities like banks and restaurants. Moreover, there was crime and the park wasn't as safe as it is now. Her three children grew up in Fort Greene and she is glad that they stayed because the neighborhood has flourished: "the beautiful aesthetics, the access to cultural institutions (like BAM) and transportation - the quality of life has improved due to the goods and services that are more readily available in the neighborhood..."

When asked about her 15 years of volunteer work, Mariadele said "After being involved in educational advocacy, I decided to become connected with the work of PACC, because professionally my background is affordable housing and I wanted to dedicate "volunteer time" were I felt I had real strength. I sought PACC out and I was quickly impressed with the quality of work and eventually joined the board of directors." She also added, "I support PACC, because this is my neighborhood and my community, I know the quality of the work that PACC does from affordable housing to economic development, these are the values that really speak to me. And I know that when I make a contribution to PACC it translates into tangible benefits in a place that my family and I call home."

We appreciate Mariadele Priest's presence, her energy and donation of her time and resources to communities throughout the Borough of Brooklyn.

Sharon Kennedy

Sharon Kennedy and her husband Tom moved to Fort Greene in 1972, when they found an apartment on Carlton Avenue. At the time, Tom Kennedy was in law school and working on the McGovern campaign. Both were soon immersed in local politics and neighborhood campaigns. In the 1970s, Fort Greene was full of abandoned houses, many on the verge of being demolished by the city. A neighborhood association was trying to secure landmark designation for Fort Greene to preserve the neighborhood's nature and ensure that beautiful, old houses would not be demolished. In 1977, when Sharon was in law school, the Kennedys bought a house on South Elliott Place that they still live in. Their three children grew up in this house. Howard Weiss was leading Pratt Area Community Council when Kennedy connected with him at a community meeting.

"The community was organizing around very basic issues: foot patrols, cleaning up the park, garbage collection, and the abandoned houses," said Kennedy. She and her husband were neighborhood watch volunteers and "it was natural to get involved with PACC." It was a tough neighborhood and muggings and lootings were commonplace. Out of necessity, the residents had to come together to organize, building bonds in this close knit community.

"Having known Pratt Area Community Council for many years - and worked alongside PACC on numerous affordable housing development projects - I'm honored to be part of their 45th anniversary celebration. I hope you'll join me in supporting a community-oriented organization that has contributed immensely to development and revitalization in Central Brooklyn." Damon Strub is supporting PACC's 45th Anniversary Celebration through a generous financial contribution, by serving as an active member of the Dinner Committee and by donating his professional services - green design consultation - to PACC's silent auction.

To contribute your support to this event, please contact please contact Sujatha Snyder at (718) 522-2613 ext. 28 or sujatha_snyder@prattarea.org.