New York, NY: Council Member Chi Ossé and The People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft today announced a new initiative to confront New York City’s growing deed theft crisis at a press conference alongside local and state elected officials. They called on Governor Kathy Hochul to enforce a temporary eviction moratorium on properties in New York City where there is a possibility of deed theft and fraud. The stay would remain in place until the necessary resources and protections are secured to fully protect homeowners and end deed theft once and for all.

The announcement comes as thousands of deed theft complaints have been filed across the city over the past decade, disproportionately impacting Black homeowners in Brooklyn. While these cases move through the courts, eviction proceedings often continue. It forces families from homes they may still legally own, even though the property was stolen by bad actors who committed fraud.

Council Member Chi Ossé urged the Governor to exercise her executive authority to ensure enforcement through the same mechanisms used during the COVID-19-era eviction moratorium. This includes stronger and more active enforcement of existing State laws such as §756-A of the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (RPAPL), §2201 of the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR), CPLR §5519, or other legal tools. These mechanisms would ensure homeowners can remain in their homes while their cases are resolved. Advocates emphasized that this is a targeted legal pause to protect families in the middle of unresolved cases, not a blanket freeze on the housing system.

Earlier today, Council Member Ossé sent a formal letter to Governor Hochul outlining this initiative, with 24 elected officials at both the city and state levels signed on in support. The letter details the legal authority, resources, and systemic reforms needed to address deed theft and can be read here.

The broader initiative pairs these immediate protections with long-term reforms to prevent deed theft before it happens and to hold perpetrators accountable. The coalition is calling for a citywide opt-out cease-and-desist zone to curb predatory real estate, legal, and financial solicitation, the establishment of a right to counsel for homeowners facing deed theft cases, and dedicated investigative units within District Attorney offices. 

The plan also includes creating a loan forgiveness and refinancing program for homeowners facing liens and financial hardship, along with stronger LLC transparency laws to prevent perpetrators from hiding behind shell companies. It expands oversight of judicial and lending systems and advances reforms that allow victims to bring older cases forward and challenge fraudulent transfers before they are recorded.

“Deed theft is one of the most pervasive and least discussed housing crises in New York,” said Council Member Chi Ossé. “No one should be forced out while the courts are still determining whether a home was stolen. A temporary stay on eviction proceedings in these cases is necessary to achieve longer-term solutions to protect homeowners experiencing the unspeakable devastation that is deed theft. I am proud to stand with The People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft. They have been the unsung heroes of this fight for years, and their work deserves to be brought into the light. Homeownership cannot be left out of the debate over housing justice in this city. Ending deed theft as we know it is how we will protect generational wealth, stabilize communities, and deliver real housing justice for New Yorkers.”

“An eviction moratorium is necessary to ensure that victims of deed theft and mortgage fraud are not doubly victimized first by the predators, then by the system meant to protect them,” said The People’s Coalition To Stop Deed Theft. “Housing Court is the wrong venue for owners contesting the theft and fraud of their property, and the courts are failing them. No one should lose their home while fighting to prove it was stolen. We are calling on Governor Hochul to act now.”

“For many families, a home represents years of savings and sacrifice. When that home is stolen, they deserve time to fight back without the threat of eviction. Pausing these proceedings while ownership is disputed is common sense,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I’m proud to stand with Council Member Chi Ossé and The People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft to fight for a stay on eviction proceedings in cases where deed theft is under investigation. We must protect Black, Brown, and other vulnerable homeowners, not fast-track their displacement.”

“I have too often stood with long-time homeowners who have been targeted by deed theft — a practice that has devastated Black and brown communities across our city,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “At a moment when fraudulent actors continue to exploit gaps in enforcement and oversight, allowing eviction proceedings to move forward only deepens the harm. A temporary stay on evictions is a necessary step to ensure victims of deed theft are not displaced while the city and state secure the resources and protections these often-vulnerable homeowners deserve. Homeownership is a cornerstone of economic stability and generational wealth, and we will not allow predatory practices to strip families of their homes or their futures. I am proud to stand with Council Member Ossé, other colleagues in government, and community advocates to demand action that keeps New Yorkers housed and holds bad actors accountable.”

“Deed theft pulls the rug out from under unsuspecting families and destabilizes entire neighborhoods,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse. “We have seen white collar predators hiding behind shadow LLCs prey on older adults, particularly Black elders in our communities. Allowing eviction proceedings to continue only adds insult to injury, digging the hole deeper. Together with my colleagues, we are calling on Governor Hochul to take a compassionate, commonsense approach and implement a temporary stay on eviction proceedings.”

“Deed theft thrives in the gaps between what’s filed on paper and what families are actually told,” said Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams. It unfolds in silence, through paperwork people never see and systems that move faster than people can respond. That’s why I advanced legislation (Int. 1086) last year requiring direct notice when deed- or mortgage-related filings are recorded. But notice alone is not protection. When evictions proceed while ownership is still under investigation, families can lose their homes before the facts are resolved. A temporary pause keeps people housed and preserves the court’s ability to reach a fair outcome without families being displaced before the facts are fully reviewed.”

“Deed theft is a direct attack on Black and Brown families, their stability, and their ability to build generational wealth,” said Council Member Althea Stevens. “For too many families, it has meant fear, displacement, and the loss of a home they worked their entire lives to secure. Housing is a basic human right, and no homeowner should be forced out of their home while the courts are still determining whether that home was stolen. “A temporary pause on evictions in these cases is not only reasonable, but it is also necessary to keep families housed and ensure our systems protect people, not further harm them.”

“Thank you to Council Member Ossé for speaking up against deed theft and supporting our legislative bills,” said State Senator Jabari Brisport. I’m honored to stand with The People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft and carry our Deed Theft Protection Package in the State Senate, because no one should be ripped out of their home. Together we can win both restorative justice measures for New Yorkers who have experienced deed theft, and preventative protection for New Yorkers who might be targeted next.”

“Deed theft is an insidious practice where bad actors prey on homeowners — often elderly Black homeowners who have their whole life’s savings in their home — to scam them out of their largest investment,” said Assemblymember Emily Gallagher. “A number of policy and systemic failures have allowed this practice to grow over the years, and I commend Councilmember Ossé for this bold, visionary plan to remedy those failings and protect homeowners. Deed thieves hide behind legal shell companies, often utilizing LLCs to disguise their identity. I’ve been working to expose this for my entire legislative career, and I look forward to working alongside Councilmember Ossé and the Coalition to Stop Deed Theft to continue fighting for LLC Transparency for New Yorkers.”

“Deed theft is one of the most insidious forms of fraud we’re seeing in our city. Our most vulnerable neighbors, many of whom have lived in these homes their entire lives and helped build and shape their communities, are being robbed of their dignity, stability, and identity on top of the generational wealth from the value of their property,” said Council Member Justin Sanchez. I commend Council Member Ossé for leading this effort to crack down on these predatory practices and protecting my neighbors in the South Bronx and all of our vulnerable neighbors throughout the five boroughs. This legislation is about safeguarding families, preserving communities, and making it clear that we as New Yorkers look out for each other. If you want to make it in New York City, you don’t do it off the backs of the elderly and financially under-resourced, and if you try, you’re going to pay the price.”

“Deed theft is not a paperwork error, it is a deliberate attack on generational stability and both the economic and social progress for thousands of homeowners in districts like mine,” said Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry. “Ending deed theft in New York City requires real investment from the Governor and State Legislature, strong legal authority, and the political will to close the loopholes that make these crimes possible. We urge Governor Hochul to enforce eviction protections for any property until every deed theft allegation is resolved, because justice delayed should never mean families displaced.”

“Deed theft is a quiet but devastating form of displacement that has stripped Black and Brown families of their homes and generational wealth,” said Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “Allowing eviction proceedings to continue while ownership is still under investigation only compounds that harm. A temporary stay is a common-sense safeguard to keep families housed while the courts do their work, and I urge Governor Hochul to use her authority to protect homeowners and stop this injustice.”

Too many victims never learn that paperwork has been filed against their property until it’s too late,” said Council Member Chris Banks. “That’s why I’m working on legislation to strengthen early‑notification requirements and ensure homeowners receive real‑time alerts when any deed‑related action is taken. Clear and timely notice is one of the strongest tools we have to stop fraud before it leads to eviction or financial ruin. I stand with my colleague Council Member Osse in calling on the Governor to use her executive authority to enforce §756‑A, which already provides the power to temporarily pause eviction proceedings in cases where deed theft is being investigated or litigated. Enforcing this statute now would give homeowners the basic protection of being able to remain in their homes while the courts determine whether their property was stolen.”

“For families facing deed theft, the fear of eviction is immediate and overwhelming. These are homes where generations were raised, elders planned to age in place, and stability was built through years of sacrifice. No one should be forced out while they are still fighting to prove their home was taken through fraud,” said Council Member Amanda Farías. “State law already allows eviction proceedings to be paused when deed theft is at issue. Using that protection gives families the chance to stay housed, remain connected to their communities, and pursue justice with without the imminent threat of homelessness looming over their heads. Protect people first—so families can fight for what is rightfully theirs without losing everything in the process.”

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