Resources

🌳 Community Associations

Community Board 11 - represents the community of East Harlem in the Borough of Manhattan, a geographic area also known as Community District 11 (CD11) which is bordered by East 96th Street to the south, Fifth Avenue to the west, the East River and Harlem River to the east, East 142nd Street to the north, and includes Randall’s Island and Wards Island as well as Marcus Garvey Park.

Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association (MMPCIA) - a neighborhood non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to revitalizing and preserving our Historic District and beyond, to fostering an environment of open and active opportunities, and to reflecting a spectrum of voices, ideas and opinions of those who share the neighborhood.

East Harlem Triangle - maintains and grows grassroots community support , forges partnerships with state, federal and local legislative leaders, and a safe haven for families and senior citizens and and provide for local youth and young adults.

Harlem Grown - an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition.

Greater Harlem Coalition - a grassroots alliance of community organizations, residents, and businesses in Harlem and East Harlem, dedicated to improving the quality of life in these neighborhoods. It advocates for a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant community for all residents, businesses, and visitors.

🖊 Representatives

Federal Government (United States)

• U.S. House of Representatives – District 13

  • Representative: Adriano Espaillat (D)

  • Represents: East Harlem, Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood

New York State Government

New York State Senate

• District 29

  • Senator: José M. Serrano (D)

  • Represents: Parts of the South Bronx, East Harlem, and the Upper West Side

  • Website: nysenate.gov/senators/jose-m-serrano

• District 30

  • Senator: Cordell Cleare (D)

  • Represents: East Harlem, Harlem, Upper West Side

  • Website: nysenate.gov/senators/cordell-cleare

New York State Assembly

• District 68

  • Assembly Member: Edward Gibbs (D)

  • Represents: Most of East Harlem

  • Website: nyassembly.gov/mem/Edward-Gibbs

• District 70

  • Assembly Member: Jordan Wright (D)

  • Represents: Part of East Harlem and Harlem

  • Website: nyassembly.gov/mem/Jordan-Wright

New York City Council

• District 8

  • Council Member: Diana Ayala (D)

  • Represents: East Harlem, parts of the South Bronx

  • Website: council.nyc.gov/district-8

• District 9

  • Council Member: Yusef Salaam (D)

  • Represents: Central Harlem, parts of East Harlem, Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley

  • Website: council.nyc.gov/district-9

• Manhattan Borough President

  • President: Mark Levine (D)

  • Website: manhattanbp.nyc.gov

• Mayor of New York City

  • Mayor: Eric Adams (D)

  • Website: nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor

🚨 Emergency Issues

No heat, hot water, or dangerous conditions

Call 311

Available 24/7 | Call, use app, or visit 311.nyc.gov

NYC 311 Services

The primary way to report housing problems to NYC government

Phone:311
Online:portal.311.nyc.gov
Mobile App:"NYC 311" (free download)
Hours:24/7

Use 311 for: Heat/hot water problems, apartment maintenance, roaches/pests, leaks, electrical issues, broken locks, lead paint, mold, and building code violations.

Housing Preservation & Development (HPD)

NYC's housing agency that handles building inspections and violations

Phone: (212) 863-7001
Website: nyc.gov/site/hpd
Online Portal: hpdonline.nyc.gov
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM

Services: Building inspections, violation tracking, tenant rights information, and housing court support.

Tenant Rights Hotline

Free legal advice and referrals from Met Council on Housing

Phone: (212) 979-0611
Website: metcouncilonhousing.org
Hours: Mon 1:30-8PM, Wed & Fri 1:30-5PM

Services: Free legal advice, referrals to tenant lawyers, and help understanding your rights as a renter.

PA'LANTE HARLEM

Local tenant advocacy organization serving East Harlem

Address: 1411 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
Website: palanteharlem.org
Email: Contact through website

Services: Tenant rights workshops, advocacy against landlord harassment, community organizing, and housing inequality support.

NY State Attorney General

State-level tenant rights and housing law enforcement

Phone: (800) 771-7755
Website: ag.ny.gov
Tenant Guide: Residential Tenants' Rights Guide
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM

Services: Tenant rights information, complaint resolution, and enforcement of housing laws.

NYS Tenant Protection Unit

State agency focused on protecting tenants from harassment and overcharges

Phone: (718) 739-6400
Website: hcr.ny.gov/tenant-protection-unit
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM

Services: Investigating landlord harassment, rent overcharge cases, and tenant protection enforcement.

📋 Tips for Getting Help

• Document everything: Take photos, keep records of temperatures, and save all communication with your landlord

• Contact your landlord first: Send written notice (email or text) about the problem before calling 311

• Keep records: Save all 311 complaint numbers and reference them in follow-up calls

• Know your rights: Landlords must provide heat (68°F+ during day, 62°F+ at night, Oct 1 - May 31)

• Be persistent: Follow up on complaints and don't hesitate to call again if issues aren't resolved

• Get support: Contact tenant advocacy groups - you don't have to handle problems alone

• Emergency situations: For immediate safety issues (gas leaks, no heat in winter, electrical hazards), call 311 immediately.

Prepared by the Harlem Neighborhood Block Association | For additional resources, visit your local community board or reach out to [email protected]

Last updated: August 2025