Report on community-managed buildings released

Real Estate Weekly, Feb 10, 1993

"We Are the Landlords Now," a year-long study of how effectively community-based organizations and resident groups run multiple dwellings, has just been released by the Community Service Society of New York.

nit important that we take a look at this growing segment of New York City's housing stock," said David R. Jones, president and chief executive officer of the nonprofit research, advocacy and social services organization. 'In the coming years, the city will be accelerating the disposition of occupied, city-owned building taken for tax arrears to nonprofit, community-based organizations and resident groups."

Through various city, state and federal programs and the purchase of distressed properties from private landlords, community and resident groups now manage some 45,000 apartments in neighborhoods across New York City. The CSS report presents an indepth field study of 27 buildings with about 700 units. They are located in East Harlem, Lower East Side, Washington Heights and Manhattan Valley in Manhattan, Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and in the South and Northwest Bronx.

Among the findings are:

* Given the low incomes of much of the tenant population and the poor conditions in many of the neighborhoods, most buildings say the bulk of management problems is related to rent collection, vandalism and general maintenance

* The key factor in overcoming these problems is communications between residents and those managing and servicing the building

* Poor communication between residents and managers play a larger role in accounting for buildings with high rent arrears or obvious maintenance problem than do the low incomes of residents

* A greater degree of management difficulty existed in buildings with an inherited tenancy than in newly-occupied buildings that select the tenants

* On-site superintendents play a critical role in both maintenance and tenant relations

* Community-based organizations tend to experience a high turnover among housing managers who leave for. enhanced career opportunities in the private sector

* In resident-managed buildings, hiring an outside manager does not eliminat. responsibilities of boards of director or ensure effective management

* The CSS report recommends establishing a city-wide institute

* Set up a professional association for training, information sharing and de velopment of a certification progrim for managers

* Provide ongoing training and techni cal assistance to community and resi dent-group management organizations and

* Foster mutual support networks fo bulk buying of supplies

Copies of the report, "We Are the Landlords Now," may be purchased a $9 each through the CSS Office 0 Information, 105 E. 22 Street, New York, New York 10010 (212)614 5324.