The Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, & Asian Legislative Caucus Hosts Press Conference Deed Theft Protection

ALBANY, NY – Today, the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus hosted a press conference to highlight the impact of Deed Theft in their communities with a package of legislation that aims to combat deed theft at the source of the issue. 

Across New York State, we are seeing numerous cases where individuals are fraudulently transferring ownership of a property by forging a deed, impersonating the actual owner, or even  by exploiting vulnerable populations such as elderly New Yorkers and those with properties on the brink of foreclosure. 

The Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus has compiled a package of bills pertaining to deed theft protections in order to raise awareness surrounding this important issue in the State Legislature. 

“Deed theft is not just a paperwork crime. It is the theft of a family’s home, a family’s stability, and in many cases, a family’s generational wealth,” said Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus. “Across New York, scammers are targeting seniors, homeowners in financial distress, families navigating foreclosure, and communities of color that have already fought for decades to build and preserve homeownership. That is why we need a full-spectrum response: prevention, legal support, housing counseling, and real representation before families lose everything. The bills we are talking about are designed to work together to put an end to this scourge plaguing our state by addressing the primary sources of the issue and giving families and individuals both recourse and resources in combatting all undue seizure of their property.”

"Deed Theft is a part and product of the real estate industry’s systematic displacement of Black people and other people of color from our homes. I want to thank the Stop Deed Theft Coalition for their years of amplifying the issue and fighting deed theft, including working with me to draft many of the bills in this package. The deck is stacked against New Yorkers facing deed theft in far too many ways, and the BPHA Caucus is coming together to demand change.” said Senator Jabari Brisport.

“Deed theft is not an ordinary housing dispute as we have been treating it. It is the theft of legacy, it is the theft of generational wealth, it is the theft of family stability and community. In Bedofrd Stuvesant and Crown Height and communities across New York… families are being forced to fight for their home in one court while facing removal in another. This is not justice. Evictions should not move faster than the truth.” said Assemblywoman Stefani Zinerman.

“Deed theft is one of the most devastating forms of exploitation impacting homeowners, particularly seniors and longtime residents in communities of color. These bills are about protecting families, preserving generational wealth and making sure New Yorkers are not unfairly pushed out of the homes they worked their entire lives to keep. I’m proud to support this legislative package and advance protections that strengthen transparency, accountability and access to legal support for vulnerable homeowners.” said Senator Leroy Comrie. 

“For a lot of our people, that deed isn't just paper. It is a retirement plan, it is generational wealth, its proof that we belong here. Deed theft is not a technicality, it is robbery. These people will come in to take advantage of a senior, a grieving family, someone who doesn't speak English as a first language, and walks away with their home. For too long, our laws let them get away with it. That’s why I'm proud to stand with the Caucus. The bill closes the loopholes, it gives the homeowners the right to counsel, and it gives the Attorney General to pursue their cases. This is real protection for real families.” said Assemblywoman Larinda Hooks. 

“It is not a coincidence that legislators in the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus are the bill sponsors who are leading in the fight against Deed theft in our state. It is because our families, our communities, and New Yorkers who look like our families and speak our languages are the ones who are being targeted by predatory actors and are pushed out of their homes through deed theft. It is a cruel practice in which unscrupulous real estate investors intentionally mislead vulnerable people into signing over their own properties.” said Senator Julia Salazar

“Two years ago we laid the foundation for deed theft with Attorney General Letitia James… and now the foundation that these bills have been built on top of will allow us to take certain actions so that people who have been misled or had their properties taken away have a right of action. However, I believe that when you have a complex issue, you need to attack it from both sides. One is the legislative side, and the other side is education and making sure we are going into our community… We need to make sure that we are funding legal services to allow families to have wills and trusts so that their properties can be put in the proper estate mechanisms.” said Assemblyman Landon Dais.

“A house cannot be a home if the state government isn’t protecting its residents, particularly its seniors, from deed theft. So we have come together to put forward a package of several bills that we are demanding get passed and signed into law this year by the State Legislature and the Governor… This package of legislation must get past before we leave here this year.” said Senator Kevin Parker.

“At a time where the American Dream is dying for so many New Yorkers, at a time where rent is so high that people cannot afford to purchase a home, it is unconscionable that we would allow people’s homes and their wealth to be ripped from them. I want to uplift and thank our Chair for bringing us all together and putting this package together… This is something we cannot afford to leave on the table when the session is over in June… Let’s get this package over the finish line.” said Assemblyman Brian Cunningham.

“As we work to protect our communities, we must recognize that deed theft is a growing threat, especially for our senior population. These crimes strip individuals of their homes, their financial security, and their sense of safety. Our commitment must be clear: protect our seniors, prevent fraud, and prosecute those who exploit the most vulnerable.” said Assemblyman Kwani B. O’Pharrow

“As a mother of 4, an advocate, public servant, and a homeowner myself, I understand what a home truly represents; it’s not just property, its security, stability, and generational opportunity. Deed theft robs people, disproportionately Black, and Caribbean Immigrant homeowners, of everything they’ve worked for. We need to give homeowners the tools to fight back, expand access to legal services, strengthen protections in foreclosure and eviction proceedings, and hold bad actors accountable. Things like transfer on death deeds, stronger notification systems, and programs like the Homeowner Protection Program are critical steps in preventing fraud before it happens. We are closing loopholes, increasing transparency, and making sure homeowners are protected before it’s too late. I urge all members of the state legislature to consider these issues and fight with us, fight for us and our communities. Every New Yorker deserves the peace of mind of knowing their home and their future are secure.” said Assemblywoman Monique Chandler-Waterman.