The Brian Lehrer Show The Fight to End Deed Theft Evictions
Feb 4, 2026
Chi Ossé, NYC Councilmember from Bed-Stuy and housing justice advocate, discusses the fight against deed theft targeting Black homeowners. He recounts how schemes work, why seniors and neighborhoods are targeted, and urgent calls for eviction pauses, legal enforcement, and lawyer funding. Short-term protections and long-term reforms are debated.
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How Deed Theft Works In NYC
- Deed theft is a coordinated scam targeting homeowners, often after a relative dies without a will.
- Predatory buyers buy shares from distant heirs and evict residents to flip properties for large profits.
Councilmember's Family Targeted
- Chi Ossé describes his family experience with persistent scam calls and doorstep pressure targeting his grandmother despite a paid-off mortgage.
- He links that personal exposure to his city council work with the People's Coalition to Stop Deed Theft.
Racial And Neighborhood Dynamics
- Deed theft disproportionately affects Black homeowners in gentrifying neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights.
- The scams exploit seniors and communities under displacement pressure, worsening intergenerational wealth loss.