Cooper Square of New York City
Cooper Square Committee is a group in New York City that works in community organizing. It focuses on residential areas in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and aims to work with residents for the development of affordable, environmentally sound, and racially diverse housing communities. The group was first organized in 1959 to dispute an urban renewal plan that would have destroyed 12 city blocks and displaced numerous residents.
Since then, Cooper Square of New York City has been actively involved in the development of low-cost housing facilities and the conversion of vacant spaces into low income residential areas. Cooper Square currently operates three programs in New York City: community and tenant organizing, housing and community development, and social services.
In the first project, Cooper Square helps New York City tenants by educating them on tenant rights and giving advice regarding eviction threats, apartment repairs, and other concerns. The housing and community development program aims to expand affordable housing by identifying potential locations and working with the public and private sectors to come up with resources. In the social services program, Cooper Square provides assistance to qualified low-income tenants.