Chhaya Community Development Corporation

09/15/2026

Your story matters.

The Hepatitis B Foundation is hosting a free storytelling workshop in Queens for people living with or affected by hepatitis B. It’s an opportunity to share your experiences, connect with others, and help break down stigma.

No storytelling or public speaking experience is needed, and honoraria are available to recognize participants’ time and contributions.

October 23 to 25, 2026
Queens, NYC
Friday and Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday: 9 AM to 3 PM

Interested? Complete the interest form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/justBworkshop (link in bio)

Questions? Contact Michelle Liu at [email protected].

Know someone who might be interested? Pass this along!

09/09/2026

Keeping our communities rooted in New York City takes organized neighbors and policies that protect affordable homes.

Today, Chhaya testified at City Hall in support of the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA), Intro. 905, and joined our New York City Community Land Initiative () coalition partners in calling for its passage.

COPA would give community land trusts and other qualified housing organizations a first opportunity to purchase certain at-risk apartment buildings when owners choose to sell. It would create a path to preserve affordable housing and help families stay in their neighborhoods.

This work is central to Chhaya's commitment to housing stability and self-determination for South Asian and Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers. Thank you to the tenants and partners organizing alongside us.

Help move Intro. 905 forward: visit nyccli.org/copa/ to learn more and urge your Council Member to support its passage.

09/08/2026

The devastation caused by the floods and landslides along the Nepal–Tibet border is being felt across our communities, including here in New York.

We mourn those who have died and stand with everyone searching for loved ones, displaced from their homes, or beginning the long work of recovery.

To our Nepali and Tibetan community members: Chhaya is with you.

RELIEF AND RECOVERY

Donate to Nepal’s Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund:
https://pmdrf.nchl.com.np/

Report someone missing or found through Nepal’s government rescue portal:
https://rescue.opmcm.gov.np/

Community rescue and relief bulletin:
https://nepalflood2026.vercel.app/

Community form to report someone found:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4Ak-cgiKP4gTYxuK-6CwPFS9eAhLZhiAelwMsquuz148ExA/viewform

Find mental health and counseling support through the resource guide shared by Adhikaar:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fq3sONvKmY5hdASh31uybqKxC1-LgdxwYDF8H7p6L98/edit

09/03/2026

We’re heading to City Hall on Wednesday, September 9 to call for passage of the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act.

COPA would give community land trusts and other qualified nonprofits a fair opportunity to buy certain at-risk buildings when they go up for sale. It would help keep tenants in their homes, preserve permanently affordable housing, and give communities more control over their futures.

Chhaya is proud to support COPA alongside more than 200 tenant associations, community land trusts, affordable-housing organizations, and community groups across New York City.

Rally: September 9 at 9 AM
Location: City Hall steps
City Council hearing: 10 AM at 250 Broadway, 8th Floor, Hearing Room 1

RSVP: [email protected]

Join us and tell the City Council: pass COPA.

Learn more: https://nyccli.org/copa/

08/27/2026

On August 15, we brought Chhaya’s Housing and Community Resource Fair to South Richmond Hill.

Neighbors met directly with housing experts, government agencies, financial institutions, and community organizations to ask questions and get information about tenant protections, homebuying, mortgages, home repairs, and other housing resources.

Thank you to everyone who came out, whether you stopped by with a question, shared resources at a table, volunteered, or helped organize the day. People should not have to navigate housing systems alone. We will keep working to make clear, useful housing information and support available to our communities.

08/26/2026

Winning COPA will take organized tenants and building leaders across New York City.

On Thursday, August 27, from 3:00–4:30 PM, join a virtual training on the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act. We’ll cover the bill and campaign, how to get involved, and how COPA can be used as an organizing tool.

This training is open to tenant organizers, building leaders, and anyone ready to get educated and organized to win COPA this fall.

08/26/2026

Hard hats on for a first look at Chhaya’s new home in Jackson Heights.

Our future office and community center will be New York City’s first multi-service South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community center. There’s more work ahead, and we’re excited to see the space taking shape.

Stay tuned!

08/25/2026

Our Executive Director, Annetta Seecharran, joined WNYC in Astoria to discuss how NYC’s housing crisis is squeezing tenants and small homeowners, from rising costs and tenant protections to basement apartments, home flipping, and keeping New Yorkers housed.

Listen to the conversation:

Recorded live at HANAC Harmony JVL Older Adult Center in Astoria, this installment of In Conversation: The Affordability Series examines New York City’s small two and three family homes, where an owner may live in one unit and rent out another.

08/14/2026

COPA-Cabana at City Hall!

We joined the rest of the New York City Community Land Initiative (NYCCLI) coalition to call for the passage of COPA, which would give community land trusts and qualified nonprofits the first opportunity to buy certain at-risk buildings when they go up for sale. It’s an important step toward keeping tenants in their homes and preserving permanently affordable housing.

Thanks to Council Member Tiffany Cabán for stopping by, taking a photo with us, and co-sponsoring COPA!

08/14/2026

Housing questions? Come get answers tomorrow.

Join us for free resources on tenant rights, homeownership, small businesses, and more. There will also be music and activities for kids.

Saturday, August 15 | 2–5 PM
Leo Kearns Parking Lot
103-33 Lefferts Blvd, South Richmond Hill

Free and open to all. Services will be available in English, Bangla, Punjabi, and Spanish. Register through the link in our bio.

বাংলা

হাউজিং নিয়ে প্রশ্ন আছে? উত্তর পেতে আগামীকাল চলে আসুন।

ভাড়াটিয়ার অধিকার, বাড়ির মালিকানা, স্মল বিজনেসসহ আরও অনেক বিষয়ে বিনামূল্যে তথ্য ও সহায়তা পাবেন। সঙ্গে থাকবে গান আর শিশুদের জন্য মজার অ্যাক্টিভিটি।

শনিবার, ১৫ আগস্ট | দুপুর ২টা থেকে বিকেল ৫টা
লিও কার্নস পার্কিং লট
১০৩-৩৩ লেফার্টস বুলেভার্ড, সাউথ রিচমন্ড হিল

সবার জন্য উন্মুক্ত এবং সম্পূর্ণ বিনামূল্যে। ইংরেজি, বাংলা, পাঞ্জাবি ও স্প্যানিশ ভাষায় সেবা পাওয়া যাবে। রেজিস্টার করতে আমাদের বায়োর লিংকে যান।