SUNSET PARK ORGANIZER BUILDING TOOLKIT

   

SUNSET PARK ORGANIZER BUILDING TOOLKIT

This project was created based on the interest that different local entities have shown over the last five years to expand housing cooperative models in Sunset Park, in a context of increasing rents and decreasing housing affordability. It also responds to AM Marcela Mitaynes’ sponsorship of the Tenant Opportunity of Purchase Act (TOPA) bill, which along other bills part of the Community Land Act (CLA) law package, could give housing cooperatives, community land trusts, and other nonprofit organizations the tools to develop and preserve community controlled and permanent affordable housing.

Honoring the cooperative legacy of Sunset Park, this project facilitates organizing efforts to build knowledge and power and, in turn, establish a neighborhood coalition for shared ownership housing development and rehabilitation opportunities. Through different pedagogical and organizing tools, the project seeks to spark dialogue and bring together neighbors, tenant associations, tenant organizers, emergent and seasoned leaders, civic and nonprofit organizations, and elected officials.

ONLINE REPOSITORY

The open source tools designed as part of this project include informative short videos, a participatory property mapping guide, a housing walking tour, and a number of toolkits for short-term and long-term building organizing.

PEDAGOGICAL VIDEO

Through concise videos shared on social media platforms, residents of Sunset Park are introduced to tenants' rights, local history, and shared ownership models. This initiative aims to provide historical context, highlight relevant policies, and inspire collective action for equitable and stable housing solutions.

NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOUR

Through walking tours guided by VR and printed maps, Sunset Park residents are invited to engage with the neighborhood’s history and envision its future possibilities. By exploring underutilized spaces, cooperative housing models, and key community landmarks, this initiative fosters a deeper connection to local resources and promotes collective action for sustainable development.

SHORT-TERM ORGANIZING

Short-term organizing equips Sunset Park residents with actionable resources to kickstart immediate community-driven efforts. Through accessible toolkits, including guidance on the Community Land Act, event planning, tenant association creation, and printable materials like postcards, this initiative lays the groundwork for collective action and stronger community networks.

LONG-TERM PUBLIC ACTIONS

By fostering collaborative envisioning spaces and empowering emerging leaders, this initiative equips Sunset Park residents with tools and strategies to advocate for housing solutions and community land ownership. Through participatory workshops, planning guides, and public events, it facilitates collective action, leadership development, and sustainable community-driven change.

 USAGE OF TOOLKITS

This toolkit has been developed to be used by neighbors, organizers tenant associations, civic groups, and nonprofit organizations committed to housing justice and interested in building knowledge and power leading to community control. It serves as a resource for learning about and organizing for the development of shared ownership housing development models, including mutual housing associations, housing cooperatives and community land trusts. With an overarching organizing framework and a variety of downloadable tools, this toolkit can be used for organizing efforts taking place through hallway conversations, building meetings, community workshops, and neighborhood coalitions. It equip users with strategies for door-to-door outreach, tenant association formation, mapping potential properties for shared ownership, policy advocacy, and community land trust formation.

Resources

Toolkit Design Strategy

This framework outlines a progressive engagement model designed to empower new organizers to address long-term housing justice issues, with a focus on the Sunset Park community. Inspired by participatory engagement models, it emphasizes building awareness, encouraging participation, and fostering leadership. Each phase represents a growing level of engagement, starting from raising awareness to catalyzing leadership for sustained public action.

 Sunset Park Shared Ownership Research Report

Refer to this document for more research and information on housing justice history and resources in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

TEAM

Director, Project Coordination and Development

Gabriela Rendón, Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Community Development

Online Platform and Toolkit Development

2024 Fall Studio, MS Design and Urban Ecologies Program, Parsons School of Design

Delaney Connor, Shivani Dave, Arooj Fatima, Zola Haber, Molly Meng, Gant Roberson, Antonia Simon, Ruth Wondemu

CONTACT US

Please don’t hesitate to contact us:

housingjustice@newschool.edu