Defending Home Ownership in Crown Heights

Published by: PoliticsNY
Date: September 17, 2018
Scope: Crown Heights North

One of the most personal battles for Brian Saunders is preserving homeownership in his community — especially for seniors and longtime residents. A striking example is his mother, Marlene Saunders, who was nearly stripped of her fully-paid brownstone at 1217 Dean Street when the city mis-applied property tax payments and allowed a water bill dispute to initiate a transfer under the Third-Party Transfer program.

Although the building had been in the Saunders family for decades, with no violations or mortgage debts, lack of proper notice and bureaucratic mistakes could’ve cost them their home. Thankfully, with intervention from local representatives and community pressure, the decision was reversed, and the family retained ownership.

For Brian Saunders, this incident isn’t just about one property — it underscores how vulnerable residents can be to administrative errors, confusing legal mechanisms, or lack of transparency. His advocacy shows that protecting community members’ rights to their homes is a key part of his vision for equity and justice in Crown Heights.

Written By Brian Saunders

9/15/2025