Chhaya Community Development Corporation

09/03/2026

We’re heading to City Hall on Wednesday, September 9 to call for passage of the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act.

COPA would give community land trusts and other qualified nonprofits a fair opportunity to buy certain at-risk buildings when they go up for sale. It would help keep tenants in their homes, preserve permanently affordable housing, and give communities more control over their futures.

Chhaya is proud to support COPA alongside more than 200 tenant associations, community land trusts, affordable-housing organizations, and community groups across New York City.

Rally: September 9 at 9 AM
Location: City Hall steps
City Council hearing: 10 AM at 250 Broadway, 8th Floor, Hearing Room 1

RSVP: [email protected]

Join us and tell the City Council: pass COPA.

Learn more: https://nyccli.org/copa/

08/27/2026

On August 15, we brought Chhaya’s Housing and Community Resource Fair to South Richmond Hill.

Neighbors met directly with housing experts, government agencies, financial institutions, and community organizations to ask questions and get information about tenant protections, homebuying, mortgages, home repairs, and other housing resources.

Thank you to everyone who came out, whether you stopped by with a question, shared resources at a table, volunteered, or helped organize the day. People should not have to navigate housing systems alone. We will keep working to make clear, useful housing information and support available to our communities.

08/26/2026

Winning COPA will take organized tenants and building leaders across New York City.

On Thursday, August 27, from 3:00–4:30 PM, join a virtual training on the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act. We’ll cover the bill and campaign, how to get involved, and how COPA can be used as an organizing tool.

This training is open to tenant organizers, building leaders, and anyone ready to get educated and organized to win COPA this fall.

08/26/2026

Hard hats on for a first look at Chhaya’s new home in Jackson Heights.

Our future office and community center will be New York City’s first multi-service South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community center. There’s more work ahead, and we’re excited to see the space taking shape.

Stay tuned!

08/25/2026

Our Executive Director, Annetta Seecharran, joined WNYC in Astoria to discuss how NYC’s housing crisis is squeezing tenants and small homeowners, from rising costs and tenant protections to basement apartments, home flipping, and keeping New Yorkers housed.

Listen to the conversation:

Recorded live at HANAC Harmony JVL Older Adult Center in Astoria, this installment of In Conversation: The Affordability Series examines New York City’s small two and three family homes, where an owner may live in one unit and rent out another.

08/14/2026

COPA-Cabana at City Hall!

We joined the rest of the New York City Community Land Initiative (NYCCLI) coalition to call for the passage of COPA, which would give community land trusts and qualified nonprofits the first opportunity to buy certain at-risk buildings when they go up for sale. It’s an important step toward keeping tenants in their homes and preserving permanently affordable housing.

Thanks to Council Member Tiffany Cabán for stopping by, taking a photo with us, and co-sponsoring COPA!

08/14/2026

Housing questions? Come get answers tomorrow.

Join us for free resources on tenant rights, homeownership, small businesses, and more. There will also be music and activities for kids.

Saturday, August 15 | 2–5 PM
Leo Kearns Parking Lot
103-33 Lefferts Blvd, South Richmond Hill

Free and open to all. Services will be available in English, Bangla, Punjabi, and Spanish. Register through the link in our bio.

বাংলা

হাউজিং নিয়ে প্রশ্ন আছে? উত্তর পেতে আগামীকাল চলে আসুন।

ভাড়াটিয়ার অধিকার, বাড়ির মালিকানা, স্মল বিজনেসসহ আরও অনেক বিষয়ে বিনামূল্যে তথ্য ও সহায়তা পাবেন। সঙ্গে থাকবে গান আর শিশুদের জন্য মজার অ্যাক্টিভিটি।

শনিবার, ১৫ আগস্ট | দুপুর ২টা থেকে বিকেল ৫টা
লিও কার্নস পার্কিং লট
১০৩-৩৩ লেফার্টস বুলেভার্ড, সাউথ রিচমন্ড হিল

সবার জন্য উন্মুক্ত এবং সম্পূর্ণ বিনামূল্যে। ইংরেজি, বাংলা, পাঞ্জাবি ও স্প্যানিশ ভাষায় সেবা পাওয়া যাবে। রেজিস্টার করতে আমাদের বায়োর লিংকে যান।

08/13/2026

Housing questions can be overwhelming. You should not have to figure them out alone.

On Saturday, August 15, Chhaya is bringing housing experts, government agencies, community organizations, and financial institutions together for a free Housing and Community Resource Fair in South Richmond Hill.

Whether you rent, own your home, or are thinking about buying, come ask questions, learn about tenant protections and the home-buying process, and connect with people who can help. We will also have music and children’s activities.

We are grateful to the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, TD Bank, Wells Fargo, Dime Bank, Citibank, M&T Bank, Peapack Private Bank & Trust, Bank of America, and Citizen’s Bank for helping us keep this event free and accessible to our community.

Join us from 2 to 5 PM at Leo Kearns Parking Lot, 103-33 Lefferts Blvd. Register here: https://tr.ee/joI4Ha1Psn

Rain date: August 22.

08/12/2026

Renting? Buying? Own a home? Running a small business? Bringing the kids? We somehow made one free event for all of you.

Join us for Chhaya’s Annual Housing & Community Resource Fair this Saturday, August 15, from 2–5 PM at the Leo Kearns Parking Lot in Richmond Hill.

More info and registration here: https://bit.ly/RHFair2026

08/06/2026

Renting, buying a home, or looking for trusted housing information? Get free help at Chhaya’s Housing & Community Resource Fair in South Richmond Hill.

Register here: https://bit.ly/RHFair2026

Renters, homeowners, and future homebuyers can:
• Speak directly with housing experts
• Connect with government agencies, community organizations, and financial institutions
• Learn about tenant protections and the home-buying process
• Get information about Chhaya’s services and other community resources

Saturday, August 15
2–5 PM
Leo Kearns Parking Lot
103-33 Lefferts Blvd, South Richmond Hill
Rain date: August 22

There will also be music, children’s activities, and more. Know someone who could use these resources? Send them this post or bring them with you.

Want to help make the fair possible? We need volunteers for language support, registration, outreach, setup, and takedown. Volunteer hours are 10 AM–6 PM.

Volunteer here: https://bit.ly/VolRHFair2026

Help South Richmond Hill residents connect with housing information, services, and resources.

Chhaya is looking for volunteers for our Housing and Community Resource Fair on Saturday, August 15. Volunteers are needed for language support, registration, promoting the fair, setup, and takedown.

Volunteer hours: 10 AM–6 PM

Leo Kearns Parking Lot
103-33 Lefferts Blvd
South Richmond Hill, NY 11419

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/VolRHFair2026

Rain date: August 22