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Read the press release here.

Sunset Park Tenants Say They Face Abuse and Harassment From Landlord

By Nikhita Venugopal | July 30, 2016 11:57am | Updated on August 1, 2016 8:44am
 Left: A photo showing a damaged wall in an apartment in the building. Right: 11-year-old Samantha Bravo, who lives in the building, speaks at the press conference.
Left: A photo showing a damaged wall in an apartment in the building. Right: 11-year-old Samantha Bravo, who lives in the building, speaks at the press conference.
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Community Development Project/Rini Fonseca-Sabune

SUNSET PARK — The landlord of a Sunset Park building failed to make repairs for years, forced entry into apartments and made racist remarks against some residents, tenants said.

Advocates, elected officials and tenants of 430 61st St. on Friday announced that they filed a complaint with the city's Commission on Human Rights against their landlord, according to a press release.

“We want to show not only the Sunset Park community, but all of New York City, that unity makes a difference, and that help is out there," tenant leader Nora Huertero said. "We are fighting to put a stop to discrimination and harassment from landlords. We deserve to live with dignity and free of intimidation.”

Tenants of the building, some of whom protested Friday morning, say they have faced abuse, discrimination and bad practices from their landlord, such as forced entry into apartments without consent and failing to make repairs or provide mold remediation. 

Some Latino and Hispanic tenants said they've been the target of racist remarks and harassment by the landlord.

"This complaint and our public community demonstration today will send a message to all predatory landlords in New York City: your injustices will be revealed, you will be called out, and justice will be served,” City Councilman Carlos Menchaca said Friday.

A court order issued last month in a housing court settlement required that the property owner make repairs to the building. The owner of the building is 61st Street Holdings LLC, which lists Soo Fung Deng as its manager, according to Department of Building records.

The property owner could not be reached for comment.

Borough President Eric Adams, Rep. Nydia Velàzquez and Public Advocate Letitia James also offered their support for the tenants.