Tenant Testimonials
The fight for affordable housing is impacting and displacing people who have lived in Hudson and Catskill all their lives.
We interviewed community members who share their perspectives on housing, the police, and their own life experiences.
Produced by Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition
Interviews by Tiffany Garriga, Claire Cousin, Quintin Cross and Molly Stinchfield
Videography and editing by Walter Hergt
Music by Caleb Canty AKA Prince Cay
Descriptions and Quotes by Esther Cohen
Our Voices - Tenant Testimonials
Our Voices On Housing
CAMPAIGN WORK
We’ve been hard at work since our start on June 1, 2020.
Introduced the Hudson BREATHE Act
This is is a visionary bill that reinvests our taxpayer dollars in a new vision of public safety—a vision that allows all communities to finally breathe free. The Hudson BREATHE Act was introduced by Tiffany Garriga, 2nd Ward Alderwoman, during the Common Council Legal Committee Meeting (September 23, 2020) and it is co-authored by members of the Hudson-Catskill Housing Coalition and Citizens of Hudson.
Focused on Community Empowerment
HCHC’s work is to create the foundations of a comprehensive, grassroots approach to fight against gentrification and displacement in Hudson and Catskill. We strive to shift from fighting for survival to taking collective, concerted, empowered, forward-thinking, and creative action. We are committed to bringing about significant and unprecedented change locally in the national fight for housing as a human right.
Collaborated on Clean Slate NY
A huge win for us was on the state-level, when we campaigned diligently for the Clean Slate Act in New York, which paves the way for the automatic sealing of eligible criminal records (as opposed to having to apply for that process, something less than 1% of formerly convicted people did). We did so by advocating for local city resolutions, which helped support the bill at the state level. Now, Clean Slate is removing barriers that once hindered countless individuals from accessing housing, education, and employment opportunities.
Provided COVID-19 Relief and Eviction Defense
Since the first week of quarantine, HCHC organizers have worked with mutual aid groups to distribute masks, sanitizers, cleaning supplies, and other necessities. On our website, we have a list of local resources, including rent relief, legal services, and information about tenant rights and eviction protections during the COVID-19 crisis including a Tenants Rights Hotline.
Black Lives Matter Mural / Sign
An alliance of local Black organizers from Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition (HCHC), allies and artists seek to reclaim our streets and declare that Black Lives Matter by creating murals of our own (on Warren Street in Hudson and Main Street in Catskill). Mayor Kamal Johnson of Hudson committed immediately to the Hudson mural. The Catskill Village Board of Trustees rejected our proposal.