Tenant Testimonials

Our Voices

 The fight for affordable housing is impacting and displacing people who have lived in Hudson and Catskill all their lives.

We interviewed community members who share their perspectives on housing, the police, and their own life experiences.

Produced by Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition

Interviews by Tiffany Garriga, Claire Cousin, Quintin Cross and Molly Stinchfield

Videography and editing by Walter Hergt

Music by Caleb Canty AKA Prince Cay

Descriptions and Quotes by Esther Cohen

Our Voices - Tenant Testimonials

Skip to Videos
  • Thomas Kearney
    3/2/22

    Thomas Kearney

    “There’s absolutely nowhere else for low income people to live and survive in the Village of Catskill.”

  • Tenisha Collins
    3/2/22

    Tenisha Collins

    We need stability in our homes, and in our storefronts.

  • Mamie Kate Shivers
    3/2/22

    Mamie Kate Shivers

    We have to stick together and speak up for ourselves.

  • Kevron Lee
    3/2/22

    Kevron Lee

    Affordable housing in Hudson is not so affordable now.

  • Kathleen Stickle
    3/2/22

    Kathleen Stickle

    People who’ve moved up here have pushed us off of Warren Street.

    Warren Street has become the most expensive part of Hudson. None of us can afford it.

  • Jabin Ahmed
    3/2/22

    Jabin Ahmed

    Black people aren’t given the same chances as immigrants.

  • Isaiah Heard
    3/2/22

    Isaiah Heard

    We should push for affordable housing very soon for people of poverty. They need it the most.

  • Illicia, 9
    3/2/22

    Illicia, 9

    Maybe if people see The Black Lives Matter Mural, they’ll be more sympathetic.

  • Ifetayo Cobbins
    3/2/22

    Ifetayo Cobbins

    They’re trying to kick us out. Am I a refugee in my own home?

  • Dezjuan Smith
    3/2/22

    Dezjuan Smith

    Diversity requires stability.

  • Danaya Oliver Ragland
    3/2/22

    Danaya Oliver Ragland

    I grew up in Hudson. Black people are moving away. White people are moving in.

    We can’t afford Hudson any more.

  • Caleb Canty
    3/2/22

    Caleb Canty

    It’s totally different now. There are no kids outside.

  • Besham Burgess
    3/2/22

    Besham Burgess

    I have to work two jobs to make ends meet.

  • Bertha Clark
    3/2/22

    Bertha Clark

    Life used to be better for us here.

  • Barbara Jones
    3/2/22

    Barbara Jones

    Barbara believes people from other areas moving here to make money are making life harder for those of us who live here already.

  • Alena
    3/2/22

    Alena

    Alena believes in justice and fairness. She wants schools, and playgrounds, and candy.

  • Adrianna
    3/2/22

    Adrianna

    Adrianna doesn’t want her life and her history replaced with white housing.

  • Isaiah
    3/2/22

    Isaiah

    Isaiah wants the police to understand the community they’re policing. They should be from Hudson.

  • Kathleen
    3/2/22

    Kathleen

    Kathleen worries that her children will suffer because of their mixed race.

  • Je’Nessa
    3/2/22

    Je’Nessa

    Janessa remember a different Hudson. When young people mattered.

  • Kevron
    3/2/22

    Kevron

    Kevron doesn’t trust the police because of the way his community’s been treated.

  • Thomas
    1/1/22

    Thomas

    Thomas fears that money runs the criminal justice system

We need your help!!!

Our Voices, On Housing

We’ve been hard at work since our start on June 1st, 2020.

Here’s what we’ve done

 

Introduced the Hudson BREATHE Act

This is is a visionary bill that reinvests our taxpayer dollars in a new vision of public safety—a vision that allows all communities to finally breathe free. The Hudson BREATHE Act was introduced by Tiffany Garriga, 2nd Ward Alderwoman, during the Common Council Legal Committee Meeting (September 23, 2020) and it is co-authored by members of the Hudson-Catskill Housing Coalition and Citizens of Hudson.

 Focused on Community Empowerment

HCHC’s work is to create the foundations of a comprehensive, grassroots approach to fight against gentrification and displacement in Hudson and Catskill. We strive to shift from fighting for survival to taking collective, concerted, empowered, forward-thinking, and creative action. We are committed to bringing about significant and unprecedented change locally in the national fight for housing as a human right.

Collaborated on CleanSlateNY

The Clean Slate NY campaign is fighting for a new law (S1553A/A6399) that will automatically clear a New Yorker’s criminal record once they become eligible. The collateral damage of a criminal conviction can be wide-ranging and enduring—permanently barring many individuals from basic opportunities like employment and housing. Clean Slate NY is about strengthening our communities by ensuring that New Yorkers are not punished beyond their sentences and can be full and fair participants in economic and civic life.

Provided COVID-19 Relief and Eviction Defense

Since the first week of quarantine, HCHC organizers have worked with mutual aid groups to distribute masks, sanitizers, cleaning supplies, and other necessities. On our website, we have a list of local resources, including rent relief, legal services, and information about tenant rights and eviction protections during the COVID-19 crisis including a Tenants Rights Hotline.

Black Lives Matter Mural / Sign

An alliance of local Black organizers from Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition (HCHC), allies and artists seek to reclaim our streets and declare that Black Lives Matter by creating murals of our own (on Warren Street in Hudson and Main Street in Catskill). Mayor Kamal Johnson of Hudson committed immediately to the Hudson mural. The Catskill Village Board of Trustees rejected our proposal.

 Help us keep the momentum.

Become a donor or recurring subscriber today!