“They Stole My Home”: Deed Theft in NYC

Thu, May 7 2026

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Bedford Library, Auditorium

adults community partner legal resources

Deed theft—the act of stealing a home—is rampant. Between 2023-2025, deed theft increased by 240% in New York City.

Sherease Torain’s family owned their brownstone in Brooklyn for six decades. Then, they were served court papers for an eviction case. Landlord? How could they have a landlord when they owned the home? This was the beginning of a decade-long court battle over deed theft.

In this Townhall, hear from Brooklyn families who were targeted for deed theft, an attorney who fights deed theft cases in court and a journalist who has reported on deed theft for years.

Moderator: NYC Planning Commissioner Leah Goodridge

Panelists:

Sherease Torain (Homeowner)

Edward Mostoller (Director of the Homeowner & Consumer Advocacy Project, City Bar Justice Center)

Samantha Maldonado (Senior Reporter, THE CITY)

This event is part of Commissioner Goodridge’s Efficient Cities project.

With support from the Office of Council Member Chi Ossé and New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams.

Bedford Library

496 Franklin Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11238 Get Directions

Add to My Calendar 05/07/2026 06:00 pm 05/07/2026 07:30 pm America/New_York “They Stole My Home”: Deed Theft in NYC <div>Deed theft—the act of stealing a home—is rampant. Between 2023-2025, deed theft increased by 240% in New York City. </div><div> </div><div>Sherease Torain’s family owned their brownstone in Brooklyn for six decades. Then, they were served court papers for an eviction case. Landlord? How could they have a landlord when they<strong> </strong><em><strong>owned</strong></em><strong> </strong>the home? This was the beginning of a decade-long court battle over deed theft. </div><div> </div><div>In this Townhall, hear from Brooklyn families who were targeted for deed theft, an attorney who fights deed theft cases in court and a journalist who has reported on deed theft for years.</div><div><br><strong>Moderator: </strong>NYC Planning Commissioner Leah Goodridge</div><div> </div><div><strong>Panelists:</strong> </div><div>Sherease Torain (Homeowner)</div><div>Edward Mostoller (Director of the Homeowner & Consumer Advocacy Project, City Bar Justice Center)</div><div>Samantha Maldonado (Senior Reporter, THE CITY)</div><div> </div><div><br><strong>This event is part of Commissioner Goodridge’s Efficient Cities project.</strong></div>… Brooklyn Public Library - Bedford Library, Auditorium MM/DD/YYYY 60