The family that has lived in the home since 1951 has successfully defended their right to stay in their home, pending further litigation

Brooklyn, NY: A Brooklyn family, subjected to the alleged crime of deed theft in 2015, has won a major battle in the ongoing fight to maintain possession of their family home. The Robinsons, whose original owner, her daughter, and her granddaughter all share the Park Place townhouse, had suffered a successfully-executed illegal eviction. Tenant organizers, including from the Crown Heights Tenants Union and Brooklyn Eviction Defense, stepped up to protect the family. They then called New York City Councilmember Chi Ossé, whose Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights district encompasses the home. The Councilmember stood in solidarity with the family and solicited support from Attorney General Letitia James. Together, activists and elected officials won the family their rightful day in court. 

On the morning of February 28th, 2022, over six years after the family lost possession of the deed, the Robinsons’ legal possession of the home was restored. As the fight for ownership of the deed continues to be litigated and will likely reach the New York Supreme Court, the family that has lived in the house for over 70 years has won the right to remain. 

“My entry point to politics was through activism,” City Councilmember Chi Ossé explains. “The goal was always to meld the institutional power of government with the tidal strength of movements to achieve results for the people. Today, we proved the potency of such joint action. I commend the Crown Heights Tenants Union for their tireless, months-long organizing, and thank the Attorney General for her partnership. The first Black Family on this Brooklyn block, three generations later, can continue to stand their ground.”

Those who believe they have experienced deed theft are encouraged to contact the OAG by calling the office’s help line at 1-800-771-7755, emailing deedtheft@ag.ny.gov, or filling out the online complaint form.

###