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Tuesday, 25 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 5, 2024

Crown Heights is Unaffordable

From the COLlive inbox: If they do it in Williamsburg and Borough Park, we can do it in Crown Heights as well. Full Story

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Milwaukee
May 8, 2017 5:55 pm

Free tuition, house are 80k-150k.

🙂

Better Israel, than Texas !
February 19, 2016 12:49 am

In Ramat Bet Shemesh A, there is an apartment for rent 3 bedrooms, and storage room downstairs. light airy, with an amazing view of parks and green trees and the Gush . The apt is right next to ours-only two on the floor we would be neighbors.the price $950/month. it is on the 3rd floor, albeit no elevator, but we manage quite well. 3 Chabad shuls, all the amenities, one needs and nice community, 40% English speaking area. maybe it is time to consider coming home. a better deal than moving to Texas I would think. apartments with elevators. 3… Read more »

Affordable housing come and get it
February 18, 2016 7:32 pm

Miami is a fraction of the price

Borough Park and Williamsburg must read idea 197
February 18, 2016 12:16 pm

Who can speak to the Borough Park and Williamsburg CH developers about your great ideas, partial solutions in #197? It also agrees with Torah values we all share.

BEST IDEA!
February 18, 2016 10:37 am

How and who will start doing this, and be given lots of publicity too!

Agree
February 18, 2016 9:18 am

Thanks for bringing it up. I hope someone does something about it….

Let's deal with his
February 17, 2016 11:04 pm

Key landlord/developers need to get together and build lento but and renovate subsidized housing complex for newly married. They can live there for 1 year of kollel, like a dormitory/apartments for couples . At least this will relieve part . of the stress . Landlords will feel good as well as giving bk something . Every landlord with 3 rentable unit/apartments
Have to pay small persentage into the fund, which would maintain those subsidized housing for newly married

Springfield Ma. beautiful homes priced $200.00,less,more
February 17, 2016 10:58 pm

One of the best, HIGHEST RATED, foundation supported, and lowest priced L.Yeshivas. Large homes with land,famous hugh park. Abour 3 hrs. from NYC. 10 min. from Lubavitch Yeshiva Academy. Come to visit for Shabbos weekend! Wonderful warm , sincere communities. Kollel needed and Kosher Restaurants. Employment opportunities for computer savvey, trades,etc.

the rebbe publicly said;
February 17, 2016 2:20 am

AGUCH job is to help with this…..

did you ever hear a thing about this???

-[not saying the Vaad hakal are off the hook either]

RABBI LITVAK
February 16, 2016 9:55 pm

Price fixing / threatening people is illegal and kneged halacha. It is definitely tough in today’s economy, however that does not justify what you are suggesting.

Broker
February 16, 2016 9:28 pm

I am a broker and I do not get the hate directed at us. We too live in Crown Heights! Our rents are high too and we need to afford it, it is nice to say that the owner should pay the fee but they dont, Also any broker can show the apartment so if it is not me it will be some other non-jewish broker Do you not want to give me parnasah? Many of my friends have stopped showing apartments to lubavitchers because of all the grief we get. They only show it to yuppies and college grads.… Read more »

to #177
February 16, 2016 4:14 pm

sooo totally agreed.
Taking 1 months up front for the broker is beyond robbery.
That should have rightfully be paid by the landlord.
This practice makes my blood boil and ALWAYS avoid brokers just for the sheer stupidity of that minhag,

Education
February 16, 2016 1:54 pm

We all agree in the benefit of a free-market system.
The market corrects itself. If place A is too unaffordable, more people then move to place B. In our current equation, most CAN’T move to place B, because they don’t have the professional credentials required, to get a decent job there (as opposed to the decent “haimish gesheften” jobs, available in the NY area), to support their family. So maybe, just maybe, the REAL problem lies in the lack of secular education, which would give the masses more “portability”.

In Israel too, housing woes
February 16, 2016 1:47 pm

you say just move to ” other marvelous cheaper cities”, but what makes you think that jobs are just waiting for you?. and some of these places you need one car or more..it is not so simple. we live in Ramat Bet Shemesh..very very expensive. and I won’t even comment about living in Jerusalem or TLV. moving up north, or down south is not so pashut..jobs? isolation?,transportation? a place has to work for the whole family, especially the wife..if she is not happy, aka isolation, the whole family suffers…Moshiach times? isn’t t his one of the signs..plenty of goods available,… Read more »

Landlord
February 16, 2016 10:14 am

The problem is with the city. They regulate multi family properties to extremes. Rent control and rent stabelized apartments Are the problem. We need a free market, and the problem will work itself out. It’s very hard to make money today being a landlord. Zero percent increase on rent, higher taxes, water/sewer, and many other fees tenants don’t think about. the only way for a landlord to cover bills and mortgage is to put a lot of money into vacant apartments, so they can destabilize it. If the city would stop beating up on landlords, they won’t have to destabilize… Read more »

real estate agents
February 16, 2016 9:23 am

It is clear and understandable that real estate agents’ interest is themselves and their bottom line. Yes this is capitalism, supply, demand etc. But why in the world does that mean that the customers have to cater to the agents??? It’s a two way street! I propose a website/organization/ something to get things in balance- how about a better business bureau where agents sign on to a contract of ethics that they will not use unethical practices even sort of within the law? And, yes the only way to make that useful is for the customers to use the agents… Read more »

176 ZONING
February 16, 2016 9:01 am

To 176, I think that many CH residents are not educated enough in these matters. Thank you for posting, and will you please write a more detailed, broken down article so it is very simple and understandable for all? The fact that WE ALLOW, (and yes we the VOTERS have a full right to look out for the interest of the current community residents!!!) condos to be build that do not serve our needs, and intentionally bring in residents who raise the prices, accelerates the process of pushing us out! I am not saying we should price fix, not allow… Read more »

Fortunate
February 15, 2016 11:56 pm

We are fortunate to live in a Chts building with a wonderful Lubavitcher landlord who cares about the Shchuna. The apartments never go to yuppies!
Thank you!

higher rents
February 15, 2016 11:34 pm

I have friends that work in Williamsburgh and they tell me that the rents and the condos are higher then the rents in CH

S.T.
February 15, 2016 10:37 pm

IF WE HAD A LITTLE AHAVAT ISRAEL ,NOT ONLY W E WOULD HAVE MOST AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD ,BUT MOSHIACH WOULD BE HERE NOW! WHY DONT WE LEARN FROM OUR BROTHERS IN WILLIAMSBURG AND BORO PARK,WHY DONT WE OPEN OUR HEART,DOES NOT HASHEM WANTS HEART! WHY DONT WE HAVE RACHAMANUT FOR OUR OWN COMMMMUNITY ,PEOPLE DONT HAVE BREAD TO IT ,OTHER PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE MILLIONS!,HAVE RACHAMANUT, LANDLORDS, YOU GO OUT OF THIS WORLD AFTER 120 YEARS ,YOUR CLOTH DOES NOT HAVE POCKET,OPEN YOUR HEART,HASHEM WANTS HEART,DID NOT YOUR GRAND FATHERS SUFFER FROM HOLOCUST BY HITLER AND EICHMAN,HAVE… Read more »

Pru Ur'vu
February 15, 2016 10:28 pm

We’re being fruitful and multiplying. Now we have to fill the earth, not only Crown Heights.

#171
February 15, 2016 10:15 pm

I’m simply pointing out that if not for high rents, we’d have even fewer available apartments in Crown Heights. The landlords are not the problem. The availability problem would be even worse if rents were kept artificially cheap.

If we want to learn something constructive from Williamsburg and BP, let’s build apartments on the outskirts of Crown Heights. That’s what was done in Williamsburg and BP and that would alleviate much of the problem.

To #173
February 15, 2016 10:15 pm

You are completely out of touch with reality. Brand new condos today are MORE expensive than homes of equal size. The cost of development is extremely high. NYC taxes new developments to death, and the costs rise every year. Brand new condominiums are far more appealing than a run-down home. The Williamsburg condos of which you speak are a thing of the past. Williamsburg development has slowed to a crawl. Secondly, I chuckled when you wrote Maple St. and St. Johns as your Crown Heights borders. It goes further to show how out of touch you are. Maple St. is… Read more »

To # 172....To Mr: "we are all so smart"
February 15, 2016 10:04 pm

Why don’t you send subsidies to all CH renters? Whats the difference between the Landlord taking less money or you giving it? Perhaps all store-owners should slash prices 10% for renters? Why does the Landlord take the hit and not other vendors? If my rent is $1500 and the grocer saves me $100 towards rent then my rent is in effect $1400!
The entire premise is faulty. Halacha permits the Rabbis to make fixes when they can keep the non jew from inflating prices, not to take away from one jew and give it to another jew.

Wanna rent in ch?
February 15, 2016 9:51 pm

Maybe Go easier on your weddings , will have more money left over for rents

agree with #163
February 15, 2016 9:36 pm

I totally like your’e idea I have been thinking about something similar for a long time. I’m in on March 1st, 2016.

to #97
February 15, 2016 9:35 pm

I agree with you. It’s disgusting that a young couple or other has to pay a Brokers fee of 1 months rent just to see and Rent an apartment This is a new idea,,just another way to Rob our own community members. In Los Angeles it’s the opposite. The Landlord has to pay a Brokers fee to the Real Estate agent. What a crime to make our own Anash and Newly married couples have to come up with $1600-$1800 Brokers fee to Rent an Apartment in addition to their security and last months rent. Very sad!

Upzoning Crown Heights
February 15, 2016 9:33 pm

The Mayor’s upzoning proposals will be voted on by City Council within the next two months. The removal of parking requirements for many new developments will hurt Orthodox families who need parking for cars. The Zoning for Quality and Affordability upzoning will help real estate developers who will build studio, one bedroom and some two bedrooms. It will remove oversaturation restrictions which will open the floodgates for health related facilities which will house the homeless, drug addicts and schizophrenics leaving psych wards. My issue is oversaturation and a lack of collective responsibility for all districts to share in the challenge.… Read more »

"Rent strike"
February 15, 2016 9:22 pm

For those who suggest a rent strike because you feel that rents are too high, have you asked a Rov if it would be allowed al pi halacha? If not perhaps you should before advocating such measures… Do you have any idea what expenses are involved in owning and maintaining a building in general and in NYC in particular? They include taxes, sky-high water bills, heating, upkeep, repairs, management and insurance costs, besides dealing with tenants that are behind in their rent. There may be some room to go down on rents but not as much as you may think.… Read more »

making a buck
February 15, 2016 9:04 pm

No one is saying that the landlords should charge pennies for their properties . What is being said is they should Be considerate of the community , the community in which their parents their children and grandchildren live! I mean if they want a community filled with 4/5 monarchies sure continue your reign . You can still make a buck by not squeezing the struggling . Are those extra dollars really that important ? I mean what’s the difference of a few millions when your that wealthy?! No one is buried with their money . Just a thought to ponder… Read more »

Real solution
February 15, 2016 8:53 pm

If someone really cared about fixing the issue here is the solution: 1st of all, you need to face reality that you need to buy a condo and are not buying a house unless you want to live past maple/utica/st johns/nostrand. There are a few plots of land available in crown heights, build very large condo buildings nothing fancy, similar to the williamsburg style. Price it just a the FHA limit and this would enable many yungerleit to buy for almost the same price as renting. But here is the catch: Each condo should have an extra door that leads… Read more »

We are all so smart
February 15, 2016 8:50 pm

It’s funny to see how everyone interprets the article to their own mind set . He who is in the business will say,” why don’t you join the market and charge less , do what you want with your money . You obviously don’t understand The business ” The one who moved out of crown heights will say” Come move I did it and it’s amazing!!” The one who can’t put food on his table says ” can someone please do something about it ? We are struggling!!” The one who lives in crown heights and Baruch HaShem is making… Read more »

#158
February 15, 2016 8:49 pm

Are you saying we should be thankful to the landlords for charging high rents?

St. John's
February 15, 2016 8:27 pm

I lived in a Jewish owned building there and paid low rent. But not enough Jews moved in there so the building was filled with trashy, druggy ethnics and I didn’t feel safe thete

heard beckers new community has a rov and mikvas
February 15, 2016 8:16 pm

apts and homes townhouses and apts makes lots of sense
gated community from affordable to luxurious

This is why New Haven grew 500% in 8 years.
February 15, 2016 8:05 pm

In the past few years there have been many families moving in per year. You can still find a small house In the heart of the community for under $200,000.

The most expensive house is for sale http://www.475ellsworth.com

just me
February 15, 2016 8:00 pm

I’m dizzy with all the options.

But to be frank, with all the biz options and opportunities here in the Tri-State area one has to really have a really solid reason to move away. And there are many listed here. But those that stay and most do – really NEED to be here.

Hamaiyvin Yaivin

To 163
February 15, 2016 7:29 pm

This is the dumbest thing I have read in a long time. Wow people like you is why I don’t want to live in CH. No one asked you to sign a lease you couldn’t afford.

Misguided
February 15, 2016 7:14 pm

The Rebbe wanted Yidden to band together to use their buying power to get better housing deals from goyim. HOWEVER, their is no directive that one yid should suffer and charge less rent them market rate at the benefit of another yid! Why is one jews blood more vital? One can give as much charity as they want but the notion that it should be policy is plain wrong.

Reality
February 15, 2016 7:07 pm

Torah Learning yes, but also learning towards achieving a good career which pays well to support a wife and family. Where are your future scientists, doctors,lawyers etc etc……amongst you. If it was right for Jewish people to have limited secular education, how would The State Of Israel function?

Let's boycott the landlords
February 15, 2016 6:15 pm

Everyone is saying supply and demand. What if all the kolel yungerleit(and I’m sure many others will join along) will stop paying rent. Let’s see the landlords handle the amount evictions, they’ll go insane! This will force them to lower the rent. And besides , in NYC it’s almost impossible to evict a tenant….. who’s in starting March 1st, 2016?

Greenfield
February 15, 2016 6:13 pm

Pittsburgh has a new area,very reasonable walking distance to main Chabad, beautiful shul, amazing Rov, very affordable. great opportunities for children to shine.

uhm
February 15, 2016 6:12 pm

While this post writer may be justifiably upset and frustrated, his position of Crown Heights keeping W’burg bizmen out of crown heights (as he says is done in the reverse) seems not thought through. 1. Mafia strong-arming is not a legal, ethical or torah true way. You can’t prevent anyone from buying anything legally. It’s up to a seller who he wants to sell to. Wrong angle. 2. Are you in the real estate business? I doubt it. So until you are there and agree to rent your property for less than you think you can get l’tovas haklal or… Read more »

like the amazon post and elles!
February 15, 2016 5:20 pm

I think Elle and the amazon poster are the only ones here that comments are inteligent, have insight, offer solutions and aren’t blaming!

Real Solution
February 15, 2016 3:42 pm

The real solution is for young couples to leave ch. If you leave in your first 2 years of marriage when bills are still manageable you can move to Miami, Pittsburgh or just about anywhere and begin your life there. Look for work over there. It is not like CH has better job opporutnities. plus if you work online you really should leave CH and go move somewhere that you can have better housing.

Reality check...
February 15, 2016 3:23 pm

The op-ed does a great job articulating a grave concern for many Crown Heights residents. The concern is clear: Rents are consistently rising with no relief in sight. However, the author’s conclusion as to the culprits and the solution are questionable and highly impractical. First of all, let’s keep in mind that the only way “greedy” landlords can get away with charging exorbitant rents (right or wrong), is because people are willing to pay it. And the reason why people are willing to pay it, is because demand exceeds supply and there’s nowhere else to go. It’s that simple. From… Read more »

to #42
February 15, 2016 3:22 pm

even if brokers did not make any $$$ in this particular case …they make it up on the CH arena at large….

bc all this brokers are commission based so if they show an apartment for 1200 they make commission on 1200… if its 1800… u do the math SO they have a VERY BIG incentive to have high rents…

Developer
February 15, 2016 2:51 pm

We saw what you guys did to fisher who was building crown heights, we don’t trust you anymore, next time don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

Our company builds in texas and north carolina, no one there puts us in cherem when we develop and save their areas.

#120, #133 & #150
February 15, 2016 2:48 pm

If both parents are working and earn within the bracket of your family size etc. the state of ct has a program to help with tuition for up until 13yrs of age (doesn’t cover mesivta, high school and zal but it is certainly helpful if you want to save up tuition money for the years that assistance isnt provided). For families who need this it is really helpful. The city itself has programs to apply for if you are looking to buy a house and/or start a college fund for your children. Plus there is all the other benefits that… Read more »

Sorry this is just dumb
February 15, 2016 2:34 pm

There is a few square miles in the entire world that is super expensive, ok, but in the millions of miles found on the rest of planet Earth there is nothing? There are plenty of kollelim, yeshivas, Chabad, not Chabad, shuls, communities, kashrut… If you really want, just live somewhere else, if you want to live here so bad, so pay the rent everyone else does. I notice no one opted to move to Lincoln or S Johns or Maple where rent is not 1800 for a 1 bedroom.

to #144
February 15, 2016 2:04 pm

I agree with # 129 even if you don’t live in crown heights you can still drive in to see the Rebbe at the ohel.

Move
February 15, 2016 1:52 pm

Stop complaining and move.
Houston/Atlanta/New Haven/Coral Springs/Miami/Chicago/Philly etc, etc etc

You have 2 options: Live in a place you can’t afford and complain, or… LEAVE!! It really is an option. Getting your kids out of the CH school system is a nice bonus.

Elie
February 15, 2016 1:47 pm

Sad to see so many people without a basic understanding of economics. The market sets prices. Blaming people for asking for market rent is silly–it’s equivalent to asking them for a handout. The most obvious solution would be to get the government to build low income housing, but that no longer works. When the government subsidizes a project, it must be offered to EVERYONE. The shtick that was used in the past (only advertising in Jewish newspapers, requiring large family sizes, etc.) no longer flies in today’s political climate. Williamsburg used to use its political clout to get the government… Read more »

Shliach
February 15, 2016 1:39 pm

New Haven is not the answer. Try getting your children into the Mesivta or Zal. They are the most expensive Yeshiva in the US. And I am talking about “with” the “Shluchim Price”. IAfter all is considered it is way cheaper to live in NY

Amazon.com
February 15, 2016 1:19 pm

Open an Amazon seller account, You don’t need a high school diploma. If your a hard worker and find a competitive edge, you can easily make a 6 figure salary, and rent wont be an issue because you will be able to buy a house and do the right thing by not charging high rents to your fellow lubavitchers.

Reuven
February 15, 2016 1:08 pm

Move to Airmont / South Monsey. Everything a Lubavitch family needs.

To continue what #115 is addressing
February 15, 2016 12:40 pm

New Haven has affordable and available real estate. It has an established school thru zal and high school for girls (located in separate areas). The level of education is amazing. The local stores sell kosher food and some items are priced lower than in crown heights. The market place delivers every Wednesday to our community for a minimal delivery charge. Houses and apartments are spacious and have backyards. There are shuirim for women and a variety of topics throughout the week. Men also have shuirim and minyanim.

To all those defending landlords....
February 15, 2016 12:34 pm

We are not talking about denying them the right to make a profit
We are talking about their ripping off, charging exorbant sums- talking about doubling ppls rent from one yr to the next- sorry that’s not called earning a decent living its called greediness, selfishness, and gneiva

Larry
February 15, 2016 12:22 pm

To# 94 A lot of landlords already own their buildings so the question is is it greed or supply and demand which has some sort of greed in it .or as Lubavitcher do we do as our dear Rebbe asked us to do by giving affordable housing.which
Means if someone was paying 1200 for a two bedroom and the landlord was making money ……..

disagree with #129
February 15, 2016 12:19 pm

this is the rebbe’s melech hamashiachs town there is no place better than crown heights!

seriously?
February 15, 2016 12:14 pm

you guys are making a big deal over nothing if you have money stay if not don’t.I like Chicago though i think i’ll move there.

Larry
February 15, 2016 12:02 pm

TO # 59 but when a broker gets a home to sell and the owner wants 300,000 the broker flips it and sells it for 1,300,000 and you’re the one who sick and tired

to #127
February 15, 2016 11:59 am

Did the rebbe want yungeliet struggling to put food on the table? Did the rebbe want young families going to sleep at night not knowing how they are go to pay that months( and maybe more) rent? Borchanu avinu kulanu keached, hashem gives us his broches when we are united, and care for each other. I don’t think that is the situation in CH. It’s far from that. Is CH a special place? Yes, the rebbe said so. Does that mean people should suffer tremendously just to live there? I don’t think so. I bh moved out of CH after… Read more »

miami
February 15, 2016 11:51 am

there are great communities

you have that new community that yudel becker is doing
from townhomes apts homes and estates built for frum families

you have walnut creek
north miami beach

To 119
February 15, 2016 11:44 am

Try looking for one bedroom today in crown heights, the price here is the same. 15-1600

FINALLY!
February 15, 2016 11:37 am

Couldn’t have said it better. Just a small correction. “young couple looking to rent an apartment on 4th floor walk-up, price: $1550!!! True story! I’m actually looking to rent an apartment now as well. I even found some apartments for $1600 or $1650! And yes, one bedroom! However just to point out, rent in Williamsburg isn’t less. And one more thing. You think if a yungerman chooses to work instead of going to kollel he’s so well off and has plenty of money to pay for rent? It doesn’t work that way. If someone is lucky enough to find some… Read more »

Willi and shlichus
February 15, 2016 11:33 am

Everyone like to think the grass is greener. Fact is Kiryos Yoel was created as a cheaper alternative to Williamsburg and lakewood as an alternative to Flatbush. Today, as you can see from the comments, there are many alternatives for Lubavitchers ranging from 4 communities in Monsey alone (thats right, 4 different shuls with 4 seperate Rabonim and while not in walking distance to one another all share the same shopping centers, restaurants, chederim and high schools). There’s New Haven, Boltimore, Chicago, NMB, Coral Springs and the list goes on and on. There are so many cities ke”h for a… Read more »

Thank you for speaking out..My thoughts
February 15, 2016 11:31 am

It takes courage…I commend you and hope this starts to make a change in the right direction… Just a thought or suggestion.. What if we create a board, a vaad, obviously that’s bound by strong legal bindings and a process that makes it protected. For whoever wants to buy a house puts money into a fund or a “pot.” (and gvirim can donate etc). The vaad can have a four fold objective. 1.Get as many talented people involved to help the process of 2. Buying out as many properties in one go in areas not congested with anash. 3. Using… Read more »

Chossid
February 15, 2016 11:26 am

This is not a NY problem but a problem many communities are facing. There is a reason Florida has a growing community in many of the areas down south. In LA for example housing is far from affordable…

The only way things will change is if people take charge and lead the change…Don’t expect others to do it for you.

shlichus
February 15, 2016 11:25 am

GO ON SHLICHOS do something with your life

New Haven
February 15, 2016 11:15 am

Hat to bust your bubble but New Haven is far from a good option. When you consider the costs of the local tuition, especially the mesivta and zal, you will realize that it is cheaper to live in Manhattan than New Haven.

Economics my friend. It’s all in the numbers.

To all those commentators who say to MOVE and live out of CH
February 15, 2016 11:07 am

Many young newlyweds live in CH for a short while, then move out.
Of course there are many affordable places to live, out of CH – but that doesn’t help couples with their first years, when they want to live in CH whether for Kollel, or to start off with support, or to gain the chizuk to go out, or the like.
It’s terribly distressing to even think about all the money needed to live in CH for just a year…

Cincinnati
February 15, 2016 11:03 am

Move to Cincinnati! Tuition at Day School about $5,000 with school vouchers. Houses at $150,000. Mesivta in town. Girls high school in town. 2 Kosher restaurants. Wonderful day camp! Call R’ Yossi Levy 502-724-9278- director of community building and recruitment

excellent points
February 15, 2016 10:41 am

So sad this is the state of Lubavitch. Start with tuition, acceptance criteria, shidduchim, rent, parnasa…….
PS 125 this is for you as well TUTION,

Blah Blah
February 15, 2016 10:36 am

Lots of blah blah here. You don’t have to live here if you don’t want to. No one is forcing you. It’s expensive. If you can’t afford it then break out of your bubble land for a change and get a taste of real life. It’s a big world out there, not so scary and pretty nice.

New Haven Option
February 15, 2016 10:26 am

to #120,

Tuition is something you work out with the local school – my personal experience is that the mosad is reasonable. Talk to them prior to making any move.
The Marketplace delivers once a week to New Haven. The local ShopRite carries a full line of Cholov Yisroel dairy goods, Beigels baked goods and Empire chicken.
Most people need two cars.
Like any life decision it is your job do your own research and make sure that the life and lifestyle works for you.

Move?
February 15, 2016 10:21 am

What about the rebbe shtureming KAN tZivah hashem es habrocho? Does that mean anything to anyone??!! And how can you blame landlords? They are suppose to support the whole community all of the sudden? Since when is it a landlords responsibility to give rent based on what you can pay? Do you think he got the house or building for free??!! And enough speech about vaads. No one in this community is hones or trusted and any vaad that would open you would mysteriously find that two weeks later every relative of that vaad has new houses in ch!!!!

Kingston, PA
February 15, 2016 10:03 am

You can buy a large house for under $150k. Chabad shul and cheder. Beautiful warm, chasiddish growing community. 2.5 hour drive from CH. Come check it out!

Coral Springs is the answer
February 15, 2016 9:55 am

Coral has it all !! It’s a stunning community and the streets are as nice Beverly Hills. Great atmosphere and so many programs major achdus and homes are very affordable weather is a dream and employment sould be a non issue if you look hard enough. It’s near major industries. From healthcare to business to you name it.

to 67
February 15, 2016 9:44 am

no one is living in the street.
Looking to rent, I almost had an apartment when the frum landlord said, sorry I have a goy giving me more.
blame the schools for tuition. however, all girls go to seminary in Israel if they want to regardless of cost but are behind in tuition in local schools

Sorry this is just dumb
February 15, 2016 9:44 am

There is a few square miles in the entire world that is super expensive, ok, but in the millions of miles found on the rest of planet Earth there is nothing? There are plenty of kollelim, yeshivas, Chabad, not Chabad, shuls, communities, kashrut… If you really want, just live somewhere else, if you want to live here so bad, so pay the rent everyone else does. I notice no one opted to move to Lincoln or S Johns or Maple where rent is not 1800 for a 1 bedroom.

to #102
February 15, 2016 9:40 am

stop rambling. cost of tuition? cost of kosher food? cost of sheitlen? people have country homes. You need to charge higher rent to pay the mortgage. higher tax and utilities. look at the cloths that the kids are wearing. the shoes. people have a choice to buy cheaper suits and dresses for kids, but dont. people do not have to buy a new expensive shaitel that often. people are just jealous.

I moved!
February 15, 2016 9:36 am

I moved out of town.
Best decision ever!!!

Tuition and some food is higher, housing is way lower.
There are ways to make things work though, if one is motivated.

Quality of life is so much higher, schools are not small minded like we had in CH. Groceries are mostly bought in big box stores which are way cheaper but Kosher items are a nice percentage higher.
We bring or ship items at times from NY.
Having a back yard is priceless!

To #115
February 15, 2016 9:32 am

How much is tuition in New Haven? How much is kosher food? How many cars does a household need?

When you factor all of this in, is it still cheaper to live there?

No one is does anything in Williamsburg/BP
February 15, 2016 9:27 am

I’ve spoken to dozens of yungehlite in Williamsburg and they told me that they are being crushed by rent. The get charged $1,600 for a one bedroom apt!! That more than CH. In BP a one bedroom is going for $1,4500-$1,500! So we are still better of than them.

Landlords
February 15, 2016 9:23 am

Don’t defend urself saying its supply and demand
Ch is not hollywood- we live here cuz its the Rebbes community- our kids are settled in the schools and no, we can’t just pick up and leave
You are definitely to blame- your loyalty should be to rent to your fellow community members, without going completely overboard that the average hard working family doesn’t need to choke

New Haven Option
February 15, 2016 8:55 am

I feel for my fellow brothers and sisters in Crown Heights. In no way minimizing or putting down Crown Heights, there are other options. Check out New Haven, CT. We have housing stock in the frum area of Beaver Hills starting at $180k for a fixer upper and you can get a 3 family for $200k live in one floor and the rent from the other units pay your mortgage. The commute from New Haven Station (Metro North) is 1:45 min to Grand Central or 50min to Stamford CT. Granted it is not for everyone but if you are intrested… Read more »

Morristown awaits you
February 15, 2016 8:55 am

4 bedroom house walking distance to yeshiva ~600K. Beautiful Chassishe community. Cheder. Mikva, Bnei Torah. No crime

Josh
February 15, 2016 8:49 am

My own experience with this points part of the blame arrow at a certain Real Estate Broker in CH (who you see his name all over.) For years my wife repeatedly dealt with a broker who kept showing her houses, but when she would call a day later with an offer it was always “taken” already. What we came to find out is that he had a friend/partner he was funneling nearly all properties to. His friend/partner who would buy them for lower offers, (since the broker was telling people with higher offers it was taken already.) His buddy would… Read more »

Parnasah
February 15, 2016 8:48 am

The real problem is lack of good Parnasah

Most dont seem to understand
February 15, 2016 7:17 am

Article is only referring to apartment building owners with 10 million or more in the bank, who are STILL charging high rents, when they could be charging much less and would still be rich.

To # 16
February 15, 2016 7:09 am

What could make it happen again? that the prices go down like they did in the 60’s, which gave the possibility for Lubavitchers to move from Brownsville to CH?
Well what happened then was that blacks started moving into upscale C. Heights and the whites started moving out. That drove down the prices.
50 years later, the opposite is happening. blacks are selling their homes for enormous prices and Jewish developers are driving around in their fancy cars from all the money they are making off this new trend.

Feel the bern?
February 15, 2016 7:09 am

It’s a waste of time to grumble about someone else making money. Nothing will ever happen anyone who can make a dollar, will. If you have a better solution then share it, but don’t just ramble that someone else is greedy. Just useless heartache

I totally greez and more
February 15, 2016 6:36 am

Not only is rent too high for kollel yungéleit. Is is too high for everybody when you look at what you get in exchange! Property owner give absolutely no service in exchange for such exorbitant rent. Courtyards are naked and abandoned areas where ther should be park benches for an elderly person to sit down and enjoy the sun or a young mother with children to relax and play. There could also be a small play area for younger children in each building – where children can play and get together for a messibo shabbos etc…WIde staircases should have a… Read more »

Consider Morristown!!
February 15, 2016 6:32 am

Beautiful Community. Cheder for the kids.
Don’t need to lock your doors….

2016
February 15, 2016 4:26 am

I am baffled….
Not long ago I had a similar discussion with someone about the families in some circles who struggle financially to keep their married children in Israel because it’s the “done” thing after they get married.
That’s all well and fine, if you can afford it, however if you can’t you need to get real and find an alternative solution! (They can study localy too).
The core issue is, today everyone thinks they should do what everyone else is doing or have what everyone else has!

Kan Tziva Hashem es Habracha.
February 15, 2016 3:00 am

Crown Heights, Brooklyn is our home. Anyone who wants to leave can leave. Hey! More reasons to go on Shlichus! There are plenty of cheap, beautiful American towns which are desperate for Shluchim. Don’t worry about the kids. So many of the best Bochurim and Bochuret’s come from the most random places. And food is not even a problem anymore these days.

years of hell in CH
February 15, 2016 2:59 am

Huge rent , 2300 a month , broken down top floor appt, mice waterbug invested , absolutely no heat , awful landlord , we didn’t miss a days rent, got nothing we even did our own repairs .
We left CH , went to an out of town smaller community where rent is affordable and we haven’t looked back. Now I have money for 2 new sheitals, 2 cars , gorgeous appartment , food in the refrigerator etc and very happy kids.
I urge people to do the same !

to #7
February 15, 2016 1:37 am

It’s not just about living near parents bc a lot of the couples, neither his or her parents live in crown heights

Supply & Demand
February 15, 2016 1:15 am

Folks, this is a perfect example of how capitalism works. Gather round, children, and watch the market forces in action. Here’s the rule: Greater the demand, higher the prices. Less demand, the prices drop. It’s one of the strongest forces in a free enterprise and, in the natural order of things, nothing is more powerful to overcome it. The simplistic alternative is socialism or communism and we’ve all seen how well those systems have worked — although Sanders wants another kick at the can. Solution? Move elsewhere where it’s much cheaper — with an even better quality of life! There… Read more »

to # 71
February 15, 2016 1:00 am

If you are secure in your Shlichus, you would have no problem having a helping hand in your Shlichus!! Working B”Shalom, only brings more Bracha and support. Every Lubavitcher is entitled to go on Shlichus and is potentially a Shliach. I am not suggesting anyone going and taking over, that would be wrong! I am suggesting that you learn how to work together with others in Shalom, thereby bringing more Yidden to Yiddishkiet. Your Shlichus will benefit BeRuchnius and BeGashmius. Ask Rabbi Lazar in Russia and many other successful Shluchim how not to worry about your “own turf”!! I am… Read more »

Thank you for speaking out..My thoughts
February 15, 2016 12:51 am

It takes courage…I commend you and hope this starts to make a change in the right direction… Just a thought or suggestion.. What if we create a board, a vaad, obviously that’s bound by strong legal bindings and a process that makes it protected. For whoever wants to buy a house puts money into a fund or a “pot.” (and gvirim can donate etc). The vaad can have a four fold objective. 1.Get as many talented people involved to help the process of 2. Buying out as many properties in one go in areas not congested with anash. 3. Using… Read more »

Pomona
February 15, 2016 12:41 am

To Number 60;

Pomona NY is a beautiful place to move to, a young generation growing there fast, really affordable houses, beautiful scenic views, huge grounds, nurseries, schools. . . . and its just over an hour away from CH
Go take a look for yourselves and see what I mean!

Number 62
February 15, 2016 12:23 am

What dream are you in?

Stop Complaining
February 15, 2016 12:16 am

Beautiful houses next to the Ohel are 350k-500k

Don’t have to move too far away

New jersey
February 15, 2016 12:15 am

There are affordable places in NJ
250 k you buy a house in west orange where you have a nice jewish community 20 minutes from Morristown 40 minutes from Monsey
For 400 k you buy a house in Livingston same distance as West orange. ( 25 minutes train to Mamhattan)On both places you have kosher supermarkets restaurants close by
Morristown is also affordable

Apartment brokers - time for a legal crackdown
February 15, 2016 12:11 am

Brokers generally get 1 month rent as a fee from the Renter. This fee is paid by someone who stands to gain nothing from (and often knows nothing about) issuing a 1099. As a result a lot (maybe even most or all) of the renters fee income doesn’t get reported and taxed. Broker can make 6 figure income, but because it is not reported anywhere, might stay on Medicaid, food stamps, etc. The temptation is just too big, to convince the landlords to charge higher rents, resulting in higher fees, without suffering any tax consequences or loosing benefits. It should… Read more »

Eretz Yisroel
February 15, 2016 12:10 am

Move from the US where the current presidential candidates could care less about Israel and Torah.Move to Eretz Yisroel and vote out the current government that does not care to support Torah. How have families that moved from Crown Heights to Eretz Yisrael liked their move?

Thank u Mayer.
February 15, 2016 12:09 am

This is probably “one of” the most pressing issues happening in CH.

To Rabbi Gurkov
February 14, 2016 11:59 pm

Rabbi Gurkov, perhaps you should take a course in economics, as what you write here is, for lack of a nicer word, utter drivel. Landlords in Crown Heights are not “conspiring” to raise rents out of greed. Prices rise based on something called SUPPLY AND DEMAND. When there is a lot of demand for a product, and little supply, the product goes up in value. You see, it’s called CAPITALISM, and I, who am not a wealthy man, would take that any day over any given alternative. There is demand from ALL OVER THE WORLD to live in Brooklyn. The… Read more »

I moved to Florida and got my self on my two feet
February 14, 2016 11:57 pm

I own my 2400 square foot homethat with five bedrooms three bath and it coated me less then two hundred thousand dollars my monthly payments are around nine hundred a month including taxes and insurance if you are interested in moving to such a place call 8139668770 and the shliach can advise you to become financialy stable

There are some good ones
February 14, 2016 11:56 pm

Our landlord has made a point of renting out their basement according to the Rebbe’s directives. It is a simple place, no frills but with all the basics taken care of and a very reasonable rent which we know we will always be able to cover iy”H. And as a result they have respectful tenants who treat the place with extra care and are makpid to pay on time no matter what other expenses come up.

ridiculious
February 14, 2016 11:49 pm

As long as the Yuppies are willing to pay the rents that they are asking for in CH, the prices are not going to go down, if anything they will go up, just like everything else in CH.

Very little that can be done.
February 14, 2016 11:45 pm

The only way to bring the prices down and I am not recommending it would be all the rentals decide at once to default on the rent and then everyone together renegotiate. If there was 1 Union of all anash renters and a leader that everyone follows the renters will be in control. And then they will set affordable standards.

So much to say...
February 14, 2016 11:43 pm

1. A huge problem is that our mosdos are producing people who have a subpar education and virtually no marketable skills. 2. This makes moving a very difficult option for many people. Life may be a lot more affordable elsewhere, but there are less jobs for people with no skills, training or education. 3. Nevertheless, moving should be considered a very real option for those who can. The quality of life is significantly better, and it’s a lot easier to pay your own bills without relying on government help or going into debt. 4. It’s kinda funny how all the… Read more »

A landlord
February 14, 2016 11:28 pm

Bh. Im a landlord here in ch. I have a few apartments. I bought in an area near ch where i could afford, as well asa few other yidden. My own friends laughed at me and figured no one would ever visit us on shabbos. Well, they do, its nice and i have a roof over my head. So can you if ypu move down past the hospital. Its quite, nice and peaceful, and you’ll have a roof over your head for about 500. Its not the heart of ch but its nice and you can raise a family. Plus… Read more »

This had not all to do with lubavitcher
February 14, 2016 11:23 pm

As so many ppl ready said, this has alot to do with yuppies moving into our comm community. Look at other neighborhoods where there are no lubavitchers, the housing and rent are still sky Rocketting because there is yuppie demand. It’s simple economics, supply and demand. Imagine all yuppies one day would all move out of CH, pricing on housing and rent would drop drastically cause landlords know that your typical lubavitcher cannot afford these high prices so it will come down. I love the suggestion of the one who said that all renters should strike… that can happen with… Read more »

Bored?
February 14, 2016 11:16 pm

This article will change nothing, this is supply and demand and market rents. Loshon hora about landlords will not help either . BH many people want to live in ch and need to realise that this is a privilege to study in kollel etc. if they can not afford it they need to take loans or raise funds just like for shlihus.

NOT SO EASY TO MOVE
February 14, 2016 11:16 pm

Please dont tell people move.
A Parnosah.
B Proper Chinuch.
C I feel the Rebbe Brachos in this communitty,
D hOST OF OTHER REASONS.
If it was so easy it whould be done.

To #68
February 14, 2016 11:16 pm

Thank you for proving my point. I said he is cheaper than all others. “His prices are not much lower than others”, but they are lower. …

Sincerely, #40, not related to fisher in any way

playing with fire
February 14, 2016 11:14 pm

lately theres been a crazy thing of people selling / renting to goyim .

in history of the jews this was, and is unacceptable for a jew, never mind chosid, to sell or rent in a jewish community to a goy.

we should publicize the names of any frum jew that rents or sell to goyim.

Happy Lubavitch Family.
February 14, 2016 11:12 pm

Is their level Ahavas yisroel, Chasidshkeit .
MESERAS NEFESH ON OUR LEVEL .
We send out 1,000 of Shluchim.
Please dont be so quick to put us down in the face of others.

NMB?
February 14, 2016 11:06 pm

I would say move to north miami beach but they cant get their act together.

Chicago has it all
February 14, 2016 11:01 pm

Chicago has consistently top lubavitch for chinuch for boys and girls k-12. The community is affordable, has good leadership, many kosher options, is in the middle of the country and the area has lots of different industries with jobs.

Been their.to number 73
February 14, 2016 10:59 pm

Is their level Ahavas yisroel AND true Chasidshkeit .
MESERAS NEFESH ON OUR LEVEL NO.
We send out 1,000 of Shluchim.

Agree !
February 14, 2016 10:59 pm

The problem is that they are renting to yuppies that come into our neighborhood and they can afford to pay the high rent prices . All new complexes and buildings are being built ideally for these yuppies since most Lubavitch families can not afford these prices as well as the size being to small for there growing families !

STRIKE
February 14, 2016 10:53 pm

let us all renters go on strike!!!!

landlords you arent getting paid till u go down 80 percent

yes brokers to blame too
February 14, 2016 10:50 pm

when they approach non jewish owners and tell them we can get you way more than you dreamed of……
way to go bh tal

TOTALLY AGREE WITH EVERY WORD HERE
February 14, 2016 10:48 pm

us renters are DROWNING!!!!!!!!!!!!

have pity!!!!!!!!

real estaters and landlords- STOP BEING SO GREEDY!!!!!!!

we dont care how muuch tzedaka ubgive if its coming from CHOKING another family

SHAME!! SHAME!!!! SHAME!!!!!

and to think that these JEWISH ppl are doing this to their own brothers……

halevai
February 14, 2016 10:25 pm

Halevai we in Crown Heights be at the same level in RUCHNIOS, tznius and yisras shamayim of those of Williamsburg and Boro Park

Crazy rents
February 14, 2016 10:18 pm

It’s crazy how the rents have skyrocketed… our kids are forced to move out of ch bec there is no room to grow here!!! How sad

to #40
February 14, 2016 10:15 pm

Lets be honest here , how did fisher get those buildings ?
here are some facts….

A group of ANASH put together funds to make affordable housing in CH.

Fisher took these buildings private, which were bought with community money.

this is why nobody wants to do anything for housing here anymore.
cant trust anyone.

so fisher renting the apts bought by communal funds for $1400 instead of $1600, hardly makes him a hero.

in fact the lack of affordable housing in CH by the CHJCC is in large part the fault of fisher.

to 20
February 14, 2016 10:09 pm

ARE YOU INITIATING A MUSHROOM CRISIS? ARE YOU SUGGESTING THAT CROWN HEIGHTS FAMILIES MOVE TO SMALL SHLICHUS TOWNS?!?! Crown heights families can move to Lubavitch communities but I wouldnt suggest imposing on a small town shliachs turf. He already can barely make ends meet.

Hate to say it but
February 14, 2016 10:08 pm

It’s expensive to live anywhere. Some places houses are cheap but in those places kosher food and schooling is a fortune. Crown heights yes it’s hard to buy a house but Medicaid is easy, tuition is pretty affordable and kosher food is the cheapest from everywhere. So stop complaining, if you don’t like it move.

Izzy C
February 14, 2016 10:04 pm

Most landlords say this is the going rate ( there are a few really good people out there ) and we are entitled to charge what we want. Go get a better job, and if I want to give charity that’s my business. I see so much suffering, and so little affordable housing. If only we had Askanim like in other Chasidisher communities. Today a one bedroom can be $1,800.00 and according to every financial calculator you should be making 40 times rent (minimum) a year, that means every 23 year old Bocher out of Zal should be making $72,000… Read more »

To 40
February 14, 2016 10:01 pm

Sorry but I live in a fisher building and his prices are not much lower than others! $1350 for a one bedroom!

Too late -never late ....
February 14, 2016 9:58 pm

It’s a loop of school -rent -food …. You can’t afford anything of it in CH ….find something affordable for everyone -school no tuition – more people can afford more property
Free housing – more people can afford better education
What is Lubavitch today ? Trademark ?
Ps … if tomorrow majority of CH will not have money to pay tuition – schools will collapse …. But today many families with kids are on the streets because they can’t afford the rent – start help your ch neighbors

Free market
February 14, 2016 9:58 pm

Brooklyn is hot. Sorry. Move. I moved. There is NJ. Baltimore. Plenty of options.

Nonsense
February 14, 2016 9:56 pm

Why challenge rental prices. Challenge food prices, prices for religious articles etc. It’s called capitalism.

Baltimore
February 14, 2016 9:55 pm

You can have have the best house for 450k. Decent house for 150k. Beautiful young lubavtich kehilla with thriving cheder

Utter nonsense
February 14, 2016 9:53 pm

The housing crisis has nothing to do with Boro park developers. There are alot of goyim who own and develop in crown heights. If you go to Bedford Stuyvesant bushwick the Rents are similar if not more.if there are landlords that want to be martyrs and rent at below market prices kudos to them that’s really nice I’m sure rebbe would give them an extra dollar for their effort. The fact is name me one lubabvitcher that is renting out his apartment at below market rent and I will show you a thousand that don’t. Sinas Chinom is not the… Read more »

Baltimore
February 14, 2016 9:45 pm

1. You can have the best house in the best street. Safe. Over 100k frum hidden. For 400k.
2. Chabad cheder with 200 kids ka”h. Amazing staff from NY and everywhere who have moved here.
3. Tomchei temimim
4. 4 Chabad shuls. 2 for anash and two Chabad house style.
5. Call me with any questions. 9175656103.

Los Angeles is no better!
February 14, 2016 9:41 pm

Although the market in Los Angeles is not controlled by Lubavitchers, however, the Jewish real estate agents here have raised the prices to absurd numbers.
As if tuition is not difficult enough.

Were do we move to?
February 14, 2016 9:40 pm

Were can we move have a job that pays tuition ect? Anyone have ideas of places with jobs and there are schools please post

Not brokers faults
February 14, 2016 9:40 pm

To #23 it’s not bh Tal or any other brokers fault. It is a broker duty to sell for as much as possible. If the seller wants to sell for less that is their decision to make. Not the broker. And yes I am a broker and I am sick of hearing people put the blame on brokers. It’s ridiculous.

all talk & no do
February 14, 2016 9:39 pm

yes that is what residents of ch seem to be now a days you talk & complain but don’t do anything there are other neighborhoods but everyone is afraid one reident said my kids need to get to Yeshiva & i am not a shliach there fore I am willing to pay triple the price & others are thinking alike afraid to go a short distance even all fools You are willing to get ripped off & pay a mortgage of close to $6000 per month! when you can apy around $500k for a nice house that maybe needs minor… Read more »

Yes yes yes
February 14, 2016 9:38 pm

we need to make a protest rally. But who do we protest to? Can someone arrange this? I’m in

agree with article
February 14, 2016 9:36 pm

rent is unaffordablel because the house are way overpriced. its cruel and greed all over the place

To #5 theres no affordable anymore
February 14, 2016 9:35 pm

Not true anymore! Landlords are charging just barely under the high prices these days. $1900 for a 2 bedroom my friend pays in his “affordable” place!

Completely false imformation
February 14, 2016 9:34 pm

The op obviously doesn’t understand how housing markets work. When the market value goes up so do taxes and other costs of owning property in crown heights. The reason the neighborhood has become unaffordable is because of the park slope hipsters that are moving in not because of jewish building owners. The only way this can be stopped is if more people from the community are willing to put their money where their mouth is and start buying apartment buildings to rent out to young couples and lose money. Sadly this will never happen as most people in crown heights… Read more »

dont blame landlords
February 14, 2016 9:32 pm

when you pay so much for a house you need to charge rent to pay for the mortgage. taxes is high. my water bill became very high, please. it is not only ch but all over

Fed up
February 14, 2016 9:30 pm

In Israel we have Kfar Chabad and Kiryat Milachi to name a few of Lubavitch communities why don’t we aka Merkas or whom ever is in charge start to work on our own Kiryas Yoel or New Square. BH Lubavitch is growing very fast we have combined in the few yeshivas in Crown Heights alone over 8 9 classes of each grade where are these kids going to live in 10 years we need schools Shuls and a whole infrastructure set up and it needed to be started 15 years ago.

RACHMANUS
February 14, 2016 9:27 pm

Sad but true, this article probably won’t help the situation. Although the situation MUST change. It is simply unsustainable for a family to put aside any savings to buy their own house. Let alone to have the basics.
לא תעמוד על דם רעך

Beware
February 14, 2016 9:27 pm

Perhaps the answer for some is to move out. However the Rebbe did encourage the development of the neighborhood and staying here since its the center of both the Frierdiker and the Rebbe’s Shcunas. The question is what can we do to make more families with bigger families stay and live in a decent house? Driving prices higher and higher ultimately is fighting against the Rebbe’s wishes for developing a thriving community here. Home sellers and real estate agents beware.

Great article 100% true
February 14, 2016 9:26 pm

Thanks for the courage to speak up.

Lakewood
February 14, 2016 9:24 pm

Come 2 Lakewood, let’s start a Lubavitch community here. Every Chassidish group has a Bais Medrash in Lakewood. Belz has their own community. House’s r way cheaper here. W could start our own community here, Jackson, NJ has so much land 2 develop, we could start our own community. Hey, if they could do it in Monsey, we could do it right outside of Lakewood. There is a Lubavitch Shliach here & a shul.

Pomona,NY
February 14, 2016 9:17 pm

That’s why dozens of lubavitcher mishpocos are moving to the beautiful country setting of Pomona, where you can own a beautiful house at half price you would pay in CH! …plus the kids have free range pasture:)

Does anyone on the Vaad Hakohel read this?
February 14, 2016 9:14 pm

Let’s hear from one of them.

florida come to backerville in miami
February 14, 2016 9:14 pm

building a whole gated community in miami

leclub resort miami

Ex cher
February 14, 2016 9:10 pm

To number 7

So they want. They want something they clearly cannot afford. We don’t get everything we want. It is not the end of the world. Go live somewhere else.

I know I did.

I agree
February 14, 2016 9:10 pm

Thank you for posting your name.

And what about the brokers
February 14, 2016 8:59 pm

Know first hand of a local Lubavitcher inhabited building owned by someone outside the community who was approached by one of our very own brokers who convinced the owner he can get much higher rents that what he was currently charging. And guess what the rents spiked from then on,,,, IS THERE NO EMBARRASSMENT?
And guess what , the broker still did not make a dime like they though they would, yes the owner raised the rents but kept his same way of doing business without the broker.

Be grateful for what you have!
February 14, 2016 8:59 pm

@25, if your married for 21/2 years and have two healthy children, then maybe count your blessings! Your issue rent money for your family, well there are those who are married that long or longer and THEiR money is being spent on fertility treatments! Your money thankfully Is going for something HAPPY. Be thankful for what YOU have in life!

Agreed with #5
February 14, 2016 8:59 pm

Reb Dovid Fisher is the only one in CH that is doing something about all this real estate problems and all he is doing is getting spat at! He built houses on Montgomery. His rent is the cheapest fro. All buildings in CH. He is in the midst of building affordable condos. Kudos to Rabbi Fisher and family.

Crown Hts.
February 14, 2016 8:54 pm

those who caused this problem seem to have done some very foolish [if not worse] oalso for themselves but at this point they dont understand . This only undermines everything that’s happening in our shechuna of 76 years. in the end result they will endure this negative ordeal they did. one thing we know whoever fought against the Rebbe’s stand on the shecuna did not benefit. umsaimim btov

Agree with the Shlucha
February 14, 2016 8:53 pm

If there are jobs available, and yeshivos in an area where shluchim live, it would be great if our young couples move there and help our shluchim. Rent/purchasing a home in
Crown heights will only cause shalom bayis problems. I remember the farbrengen when the Rebbe spoke about creating affordable housing in Crown Heights(it was on 12
Tammuz the same farbrengen when the Rebbe spoke about the stolen sforim). Nobody listened to the Rebbe. Nothing has been done to help our young families. Now that the cost is so high there is no choice but to look elsewhere.

Moish
February 14, 2016 8:52 pm

Time to look to rent in cheaper Areas

move
February 14, 2016 8:51 pm

Advice to move out may help some people, BUT it is the exact opposite of ahavas yisroel, and a sense of hakaras hatov and a sense of “building the world”- this is a neighborhood with many Jewish families, schools, shuls, institutions, that I would also mention the Rebbe felt very strongly about. It is also the neighborhood that is the “source” to quote Mrs.Brickman, who spoke so powerfully after her son got stabbed. The shluchim and other Chabad communities all benefit from CH. So what kind of a statement is it to say to people “Just move!?” That is disrespectful… Read more »

Larry
February 14, 2016 8:49 pm

To the author you’re living in Lala land do you think any of these people care, Torah don’t exist no more for them.

fully correct
February 14, 2016 8:46 pm

there is no reason that willismsburg and BP should be taking over our shchuna and placing others here.

Where are the CH elected representatives???

Pittsburgh, Detroit
February 14, 2016 8:45 pm

Two affordable Lubavitcher communities.

Dear Landlords, do you hear!
February 14, 2016 8:44 pm

Here’s the breakdown: I teach either your daughter sister niece cousin
My husband teaches your son brother nephew cousin… And bc they cannot afford tuition we don’t get our full pay checks and we continue to work because we care about our community the Lubavitch family!
So we make about 2000$ and boruch Hashem we have a baby
Now incase u struggle with math I’ll do the calculation for you.
2000- 1800 rent = 200
That’s what we have left for food clothes diapers etc.

Rabbi Mayer Gurkov
February 14, 2016 8:41 pm

I have a great idea.
Rabbi Mayer Gurkov please buy real estate in crown heights with your money and charge whatever rent you wish.
Until then you are all talk no action

A tragic affair
February 14, 2016 8:40 pm

It’s a painful realization. Changes need to be made fast

Joe
February 14, 2016 8:38 pm

BS”D
BS”D
# 23 bright comment
call BH Tal and when they tell you your house is worth 750,000 but they have a buyer for 500,000 i wonder what you would say

Thanks
February 14, 2016 8:38 pm

Great article. Please somebody must do something.

ROHR Foundation could help melamdim
February 14, 2016 8:33 pm

Bsd
We need a ROHR Foundation (that means the
Rebbe’s Orntilcheh Hartzigeh Reichehleit) of CH to help melamdim with many children afford to live in a house with rachvas yodayim.

Want to learn a lesson....
February 14, 2016 8:23 pm

There is a well known women in CH that owns apartments in the heart of williamsberg and charges 1200 per apartment when she can charge 2000 !! and her justification is how can I take more from yiddin!l??? Shame on us lubavitchers

Thank u for writing this article
February 14, 2016 8:20 pm

We have 2 kids, have been married for 2.5 years, living in a 1 bedroom. Both myself and my husband work yet we r behind in 4 months rent, We have to wait for our tax returns to pay!! It’s totally absurd! And I c ppl in my building living in a 1 bedroom with 3, 4, up to 7 children!! Rent is unaffordable!!

I agree
February 14, 2016 8:18 pm

As a real estate holder. I will only buy in Florida and Texas ( my model states) abi never to rent to a Lubavitcher. It’s terrible to know that 80 families suffer and are up all night to make us landlords rich. That’s why. I will never own in CH

Bh tal is to blame a little
February 14, 2016 8:16 pm

try to call them and they will tell you how much they can help you get for your house.

Get the facts correct
February 14, 2016 8:08 pm

The housing issue in Brooklyn is NOT a Jewish one, Brooklyn is becoming one of the most expensive and sought out areas of the world!!

Heat
February 14, 2016 8:03 pm

Forget about rents. Landlords, put the heat on!!!

shlucha
February 14, 2016 8:01 pm

maybe it’s a sign that more lubavitchers should MOVE OUT of Crown Heights and live in affordable smaller towns!!! You don’t have to be an official shliach to live in an out of town place!

too late
February 14, 2016 7:59 pm

this is about ten years too late. One of the reasons we left? 1400 apartment, 4th floor walk up, 3 kids. landlord didnt give a hoot about fixing the building, destroyed a shul in the building, only to build another shul! 3 shuls in the building instead of apartments for families!

Aaron
February 14, 2016 7:58 pm

BS”D
i wholeheartedly agree with this article and comment # 10 is a ‘ bunch of incoherent drivel ‘
the Jewish flippers ruined the neighborhood
All of Crown Heights was busy flipping property
once that occurred and the prices went up then and only
then did CH become trendy

AGREE
February 14, 2016 7:54 pm

Couldn’t agree more.
Young couples have no money for FOOD.
Should they starve.
What can we as a community do.

Curious
February 14, 2016 7:49 pm

If I understand history correctly, when the Frierdiker Rebbe moved into crown heights it was very expensive and almost no chassidim could afford to live there (living instead in Brownsville). Something changed and gradually chassidim moved in. What happened then to make it affordable? Can it happen again?

How many apartments
February 14, 2016 7:48 pm

Did the Vaad Hakohel and the Criwn Heights Jewish Community Council create for for anash in the past 25 years?
I ask the elected leaders to give us the numbers.
If not for Fischer, our yungeleit would be living with their parents.
Give us the number. Please!

supply & demand
February 14, 2016 7:44 pm

It’s a simple economic principle. Go a few blocks out of the immediate crown heights area and see what houses are going for. If you complain about housing, you might as well complain about kosher food prices, tznius clothing, STAM, tuition, etc.

To 10
February 14, 2016 7:42 pm

As Jews, our community takes precedence over the free market. Money isn’t everything

To #5
February 14, 2016 7:36 pm

Fisher still charges $1400 for a 1 bedroom. Buildings that he owns free and clear with no mortgage

Thanks for posting your name
February 14, 2016 7:34 pm

You make a true point which is also sharp.
Thanks for standing up strong and posting your name without being embarrassed

"It's the Jews to blame"
February 14, 2016 7:23 pm

The article is a bunch of incoherent drivel. The upward price pressures have nothing to do with “the jews”, they are a direct result of the fact that Crown Heights became a trendy neighborhood with many potential renters and buyers willing to pay premium prices.

Hershel Moss
February 14, 2016 7:22 pm

Do you want to talk or do something about this?

If you want to do something about this, call me directly: 718-308-7458.

Thank you
February 14, 2016 7:19 pm

well said!

To number 2
February 14, 2016 7:18 pm

Either you are not smart, or you just don’t get it,
Young couple gets married they want to live near their parents to start their lives together and get all the help they can,
Yes I am in the real estate business and it is a disgrace, at news conferences all those so called community leaders showed up for pictures,
Shame on all of them

Unfortunately to true
February 14, 2016 7:17 pm

What can be done

Fisher
February 14, 2016 7:14 pm

R Dovid is the only one giving affordable rent to yidden & all those that fought him the Rebbe’s name say yechi & ruin the neighborhood

source of the problem
February 14, 2016 7:13 pm

The problem is that housing is unaffordable, and in order to make ends meet, lots of homeowners need to rent out their basements to help cover their mortgage, especially the ones that are buying houses these days, it’s impossible to buy property of over a million dollars, and pay the mortgage yourself, property in Crown Heights became a business, and even those who are ready to pay the price for a house, need to fight and try to outbid all the developers and rich dude’s in Crown Heights don’t want the house for each one of their children,

Talk to Aguch
February 14, 2016 7:12 pm

The Rebbe told Aguch in a Yechidus in 5749 to see to it that there be affordable housing in CH for Lubavitcher families. Ask them what they have done on the matter.

Ex cher
February 14, 2016 7:07 pm

Here’s an idea: don’t live in crown Heights.

Fully agree with this article
February 14, 2016 7:07 pm

‘where are those who claim they represent us’
Its all a folly. The only truth is that they will have to give a Din v’cheshbon. We are our own worst enemy.

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