Los Sures Preserved Affordable Housing in Williamsburg
Founded in 1972, the group manages 44 properties to prevent tenant displacement and provide local social services.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Hispanic
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Since its founding in 1972, the nonprofit Los Sures has served the Williamsburg community by managing 44 properties and providing critical social services. The organization emerged to combat landlord neglect and arson that threatened to displace local residents.
Why it matters
The organization formed to ensure long-term housing security for residents facing the threat of arson and displacement in the 1970s. By managing properties and offering a weekly food pantry, Los Sures maintains a community anchor that preserves affordable living in the area.
Los Sures currently manages 44 properties in Williamsburg. The organization’s food pantry provides a regular supply of grains, proteins, fruits, and vegetables to more than 1,000 families every week.
The players
Los Sures
This nonprofit organization manages affordable housing and provides social services for residents in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.
The details
Los Sures began by managing city-owned buildings in the mid-1970s after tenants organized to save their homes from abandonment. Today, the nonprofit continues to provide essential social services alongside its housing operations.
Timeline
Los Sures was founded in 1972.
Landlords allegedly used arson for insurance money during the 1970s.
The organization began managing city-owned buildings in the mid-1970s.
Culture Shift
The organization’s development mirrors the grassroots tenant movements that emerged to combat the 1970s South Bronx arson epidemic. This model of community-led stewardship represents a lasting shift toward local control of housing assets in New York City.
Residents benefit from the organization's property management and the ongoing availability of a weekly food pantry. These services provide tangible assistance for families navigating housing security and nutritional needs in Brooklyn.
The takeaway
The sustained success of Los Sures highlights the impact of community-led stewardship in preserving neighborhood stability. Long-term resident advocacy remains a vital tool for preventing displacement in rapidly changing urban areas.
Further reading
Learn more about local community efforts in the Hispanic section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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