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Building Community Power
From the Ground Up
We help neighbors turn their voices into action through grassroots campaigns, building coalitions, and developing youth leadership. This way, we create lasting change in our community.
Building Community Power Across East New York & Cypress Hills
Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation believes lasting change happens when communities organize together. Through resident-led advocacy, youth leadership, coalition building, and grassroots campaigns, our Community Organizing team helps neighbors shape the future of East New York and Cypress Hills.
From housing affordability and anti-displacement work to education equity and civic engagement, we work alongside residents and young people to turn community voices into meaningful action.
OUR IMPACT:
$500M
Invested in Accessible Transit Improvements
100+
Families Connected to Vital Resources
26
Legislators Supporting Anti-Flipping Legislation
$1M
Won for Anti-Displacement Support
ORGANIZING AROUND HOUSING JUSTICE & ECONOMIC EQUITY
Fighting for an Affordable Future
As East New York and Cypress Hills continue to change, many families face rising housing costs, displacement pressures, and speculative real estate practices that threaten long-time residents. Our organizing work helps communities advocate for policies, developments, and investments that prioritize affordability, economic justice, and neighborhood stability.
WE ORGANIZE AROUND:
Affordable housing protections
Anti-displacement efforts
Economic justice initiatives
Community benefits agreements
Equitable development
Tenant and homeowner protections
CHLDC is a leading member of the East New York Coalition for Community Advancement (ENY CCA), a coalition of neighbors, community organizations, businesses, and faith leaders organizing for a more equitable future for East New York and Cypress Hills..
COALITION FOR COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT
Neighbors Organizing for Community-Led Development
The East New York Coalition for Community Advancement works to ensure neighborhood growth reflects the needs of the people who already call the community home. Through organizing campaigns, policy advocacy, and community mobilization, the coalition pushes for affordable housing, equitable development, and protections against displacement.
Current and recent organizing efforts include:
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Advocating for the End Toxic Home Flipping Act to combat predatory property speculation
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Supporting legislation that would increase taxes on corporate property flippers who rapidly buy and resell homes for profit
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Fighting to preserve affordable homeownership opportunities in East New York and Cypress Hills
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Organizing for community benefits tied to large-scale neighborhood developments
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Advocating for equitable access to jobs, industrial opportunities, and community resources
$500 million in investments to make Broadway Junction ADA accessible following the 2016 rezoning efforts
Commitments from the City to open Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in the East New York Industrial Business Zone focused on green jobs and food hub opportunities
A Community Benefits Agreement with Totem that secured:
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50% of housing units at 50% AMI or lower
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Larger family-sized units, with 80% of apartments containing one bedroom or more
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A $1 million anti-displacement fund for the community
Continued momentum behind the End Toxic Home Flipping Act, including growing legislative support across New York State and the City Council
RECENT COALITION WINS INCLUDE:
FUTURE OF TOMORROW
Youth Organizing for Educational Justice
Future of Tomorrow (F.O.T.) is a youth-led group that focuses on building leadership skills, promoting fair education, and fighting for social justice. Through campaigns, partnerships, and weekly meetings, young people learn to advocate for change in their schools and communities. F.O.T. members lead efforts to improve school conditions, increase student resources, boost civic engagement, and create safer, more supportive learning environments. Recent successes include setting up a Student Success Center at Franklin K. Lane High School, restocking school libraries, supporting the Solutions Not Suspensions campaign, and helping over 100 undocumented students and families sign up for IDNYC services.
LEAD CAMPAIGNS FOCUSED ON::
Improving conditions in local schools
Expanding student resources and support systems
East New York and Cypress Hills high school students are always welcome to join FOT every Thursday at 5pm at the Cypress Hills East New York Community Center located at 276 Chestnut Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208.
Increasing youth civic engagement
Creating safer and more equitable learning environments
Building student leadership and advocacy skills
Get Involved in Community Change
Whether you are passionate about housing justice, education equity, youth leadership, or protecting the future of East New York and Cypress Hills, there is a place for you in this work. Together, we are building a community where residents, families, and young people have the power to shape the future of their neighborhoods.
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